Although our Sea Scout Ship 25 - SSS YORKSHIRE is named primarily for our sponsor, Yorkshire Church, the name YORKSHIRE also has ancient and honorable nautical lineage to which we hail from; the celebrated U.S. Clipper Ship YORKSHIRE.

The U.S. Clipper Ship YORKSHIRE was built in New York by William H. Webb (hull #13), and launched on 25 October 1843. 996 tons; 167 ft long x 36.5 ft beam x 21 ft depth; two decks; draft loaded 18 ft 3 in. Prior to her maiden voyage in early 1844 she was presented with a set of flags, signals, and cabin cutlery by a group of Yorkshiremen living in New York.

The YORKSHIRE was the second ship Webb built for Charles H. Marshall & Co's Black Ball Line of sailing packets between New York and Liverpool, and the fastest sailing packet that ever served on the North Atlantic. Packet Ships were medium-sized boats designed for domestic mail, passenger, and freight transportation in European countries and in North American rivers and canals, some of them steam driven. They were used extensively during the 18th and 19th centuries and featured regularly scheduled service.

During her 18-year packet career her westbound passages averaged 29 days, her shortest passage being an incredible 15 1/2 days (sailed from Liverpool 2 November 1846, 7 days to the banks, arrived at Sandy Hook, night of 17 November, and at New York, noon 18 November), her longest 58 days. Her early reputation for speed was probably enhanced by the reputation of her first master, David G. Bailey, of whom the New York Herald wrote on the eve of the YORKSHIRE's maiden voyage... "It is a common remark among the sharks when Captain B. goes to sea, that 'it is useless to attempt to follow that ship, for Bailey is on board of her.' Such is his reputation for speed even among the inhabitants of the deep."

On 2 February 1862, the YORKSHIRE, under the command of Edward R. Fairbanks, sailed from New York for Liverpool, with three passengers and a crew of 23; she was never heard from again. It was stated at the time that "probably no ship in the Liverpool trade has realized a larger amount of earnings".

​She is a ship worth remembering, and we do so by taking up her name of YORKSHIRE.