Patten, Mary Ann (1837–1861)

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Patten, Mary Ann (1837–1861)

American clipper ship commander. Born 1837 in Boston, MA; died Mar 17, 1861; m. Joshua Adams Patten, April 1, 1853; children: 1 son.

Learned to navigate on her 1st clipper voyage aboard Neptune's Car (1855); with husband, embarked from NY in Neptune's Car for voyage around Cape Horn to San Francisco (1856); when he fell into coma en route, became 1st woman to navigate a clipper ship (1856). Mary Patten Infirmary at US Merchant Marine Academy, King's Point, NY, was named in her honor, and the Captain Mary Ann Patten Memorial was established at Piers Park, East Boston, MA.

See also (novel) Deborah Meroff, Captain My Captain (Inheritance, 1992).

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