Clipper ship Cromdale completed at Port Glasgow for the Australian wool trade

Background. Clippers were mid-19th-century merchant sailing vessels designed for speed. While the American clipper era ended around 1860, British clippers continued to be built into the 1870s. These vessels were subsequently shifted into the wool trade, where they profited because the need for coal hindered steamships from reaching Australian ports.

Construction. Cromdale was built at Barclay Curle in Glasgow and launched in June 1891. She was the last clipper ship built for the Australian wool trade. The launch took place at a time when ocean liners that could carry large numbers of passengers and amounts of cargo had entered the scene.

Historical Context. By the time of Cromdale's launch in 1891, ocean liners capable of carrying large numbers of passengers and cargo had entered the scene. This development marked a shift in maritime transport, as clippers were generally narrow and could carry limited bulk freight compared to later standards.