The Marco Polo was one of the most famous clipper ships of the 19th century. Built in 1851 at Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, it became renowned for its speed and helped establish the city’s reputation as a world-class shipbuilding centre.

Quick facts

• Built: 1851
• Builder: James Smith, Saint John, New Brunswick
• Type: Wooden clipper ship
• Length: About 184 feet (56 m)
• Primary trade: Carrying passengers, mail, and cargo between Britain and Australia during the Australian gold rush.

Why it became famous

• In 1852, the Marco Polo sailed from Liverpool to Melbourne in a then-record 76 days.
• It became known as the “Fastest Ship in the World.”
• It was one of the first ships to complete a round trip to Australia in under six months, an extraordinary achievement for the era.

Connection to New Brunswick

The Marco Polo is one of the greatest achievements in New Brunswick’s maritime history. A replica and exhibits celebrating the ship can be found at the Marco Polo Heritage Park, which commemorates the vessel and the province’s rich shipbuilding heritage.

Final years

After decades of service, the Marco Polo was damaged in a storm and eventually ran aground off the coast of Wales in 1883, where it became a total loss.

Its legacy lives on as one of the greatest sailing ships ever built in Canada and a lasting symbol of New Brunswick’s shipbuilding excellence.

Marco Polo Heritage Park

Marco Polo Heritage Park is a waterfront historical attraction in Saint John, New Brunswick, celebrating the legacy of the famous clipper ship Marco Polo, built in the city in 1851. The park highlights Saint John’s shipbuilding heritage and its role in the era of transoceanic sailing, with exhibits centered on one of the world’s most celebrated 19th-century sailing vessels.

What to See

The park’s centerpiece is a large-scale replica of the Marco Polo, accompanied by interpretive displays explaining the ship’s construction, remarkable voyages, and connection to Saint John’s maritime economy. Situated along the harbour, it offers visitors a chance to experience the city’s historic waterfront while learning about the vessel that earned international fame for its speed and long-distance voyages.

Historical Significance

The original Marco Polo was launched in Saint John in 1851 and quickly gained a reputation as “the fastest ship in the world.” Under Captain James “Bully” Forbes, it achieved a record voyage from Liverpool to Australia during the gold rush era, bringing worldwide attention to New Brunswick’s shipbuilding industry. The ship was later wrecked on Prince Edward Island in 1883, but its legacy remains an important chapter in Canadian maritime history.

Experience

The park forms part of Saint John’s harbour area, making it an easy stop while exploring the waterfront and nearby attractions. Visitors can enjoy harbour views, photograph the ship replica, and gain insight into the city’s “Golden Age of Sail,” when shipbuilding was a major driver of the local economy.

Why It Matters

Marco Polo Heritage Park serves as both a memorial and an educational destination, preserving the story of a vessel whose success helped establish Saint John’s international reputation as a premier shipbuilding center in the 19th century. It connects modern visitors with the city’s rich maritime heritage through a highly recognizable symbol of that era.