Anglona

Anglona is a historical region of northern Sardinia, Italy. Its main center is Castelsardo.

Agriculture

Anglona is bounded by the sea northwards, from east by the Coghinas river, from south by Monte Sassu and from west by the Silis River and the Monte Pilosu.

The territory is characterized by a prevalence of hills, with small plateaus of volcanic or limestone origin, lying over a tuff base. The coast shows beaches intermingled with rocky sectors.

Economy

Economy is mostly based on agriculture, especially after the reclamation of the lower Coghinas valley during the 1920s, which has saved the fertile area from floods. The main crops are artichokes and tomatoes.

Starting from the 1970s, the coastal communes have developed a flourishing tourism industry.

Coordinates: 40°54′49″N 8°42′48″E / 40.9136°N 8.7133°E / 40.9136; 8.7133

Anglona (clipper)

The schooner Anglona was the first American opium clipper. She sailed in the Chinese coastal trade in the 1840s, and had a famous race with the schooner Ariel around Lintin Island.

Construction

Anglona was a flush decked fore-and-aft schooner of the New York pilot boat type.

Opium clipper in Chinese coastal trade

R.B. Forbes was interested in fast schooners for clipper and coastal service in China. The first clipper which Forbes sent to China, the Rose, foundered in the July typhoon of 1841.

Forbes purchased Anglona at Brown & Bell’s New York yard for Russell & Co. for use as a despatch boat between Hong Kong, Macao, and Whampoa.

Other American pilot boat models sent to China in the 1840s included the Zephyr and the Spec, also built on the New York model. Shortly after Shanghai opened to foreign trade, three Boston pilot boats were sent: the 90 ton Golden Gate, the 90 ton Siren, and the 75 ton Daniel Webster, which served as pilot boats in the Yangtze River.

Within two weeks of purchase, Anglona sailed for China under Captain Turner. She arrived at Cape Horn in 61 days, and Java Head in 95 days.