Brother to shipbuilder Donald McKay
Adams Sentinel, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
January 24, 1853
Scientific Prediction Fulfilled
The Boston Journal states that McKay, of the clipper Sovereign of the Seas, built in Boston, previous to sailing from this city (N.Y.), for San Francisco, in August last, addressed a letter to Lieut. Maury of the National Observatory at Washington, requesting a copy of the fourth edition of his Sailing Directions, for the use of the voyage. Lieut. Maury answered the letter, stating that if Capt. McKay would follow the directions laid down, the Sovereign of the Seas would be able to cross the Equator in the Pacific on or before the 25th day of October, and would reach San Francisco in one hundred and three days.
The Sovereign of the Seas crossed the line only 14 hours behind the predicted time, and dropped anchor in the harbor of San Francisco in one hundred and three days and two hours after leaving New York.
This prediction on a voyage of 17,000 miles is a forcible illustration of the benfits of modern scientific research.
Daily Alta California, San Francisco, California
July 17, 1853
Capt. L. McKay, the commander of the ship Sovereign of the Seas, has been presented with a handsome and valuable service of plate by the underwriters of New York, for his skill at sea, and safely getting his vessel in San Francisco after being dismasted. On one of the pieces is inscribed the following:--
Presented by Atlantic Mutual Insurance Co., to Capt. L. McKay, of the ship Sovereign of the Seas, to express their appreciation of his skill and ability in fitting his ship at sea after having been dismasted on the 12th October, 1852. The Sovereign of the Seas sailed from New York on 18th June for Liverpool.
September 7, 1853
London Nonconformist, London, United Kingdom
. . . In the new American clipper, the Sovereign of the Seas, the ropes which form teh running rigging are of cotton, which is not only capable of a tighter twist, but is not liable to become deteriorated by friction in the same degree as hempen cords. After they have been in use, too, for years, they can be sold for nearly as much as the original cost. These ropes are quite smooth, and run with great rapidity through the blocks. The sails also of this vessel are of cotton, two sets of cotton sails costing only the sum paid for one set of linen.
A Review of the Minority Report, on the Navy Yard Question: With an Appendix, Containing Letters from Maj. General John A. Dix, Gen. Prosper M. Wetmore, Mr. Donald McKay, and Professor Silliman
This reproduction was produced prior to 1923.