“In 1850, N.L.&G. Griswold of New York contracted William H. Webb to build the best, if the fastest, sailing vessel in the world. Only the finest materials and most experienced shipwrights were used in her construction. When launched, Challenge was the largest merchantman afloat. It was William Webb’s most extreme clipper design. The papers of the day proclaimed her to be a ship of exceptional beauty and many bets were placed on her upcoming passages.” Christopher Blossom
Of particular interest is the background in this picture. In the early 1850’s more than one thousand vessels were abandoned in San Francisco Bay.