Donald McKay's clipper ship Glory of the Seas model completed by Rob Wiederrich and surprising developments from fifteen years' research, Part 1.

The article focuses on the detailed research and model reconstruction of Donald McKay's clipper ship *Glory of the Seas*, highlighting its design evolution, structural innovations, and historical accuracy challenges. It compares *Glory of the Seas* with McKay's earlier extreme clippers like *Stag Hound* and *Flying Cloud*, emphasizing McKay's unique bow design featuring layered naval hoods and cutwaters, which have often been omitted or misunderstood in models and replicas. The study also reconstructs the ship's mast heights and composite lower masts based on original specifications, revealing modifications such as added backstays that improved sailing performance. Through archival sources, paintings, and technical analysis, the article underscores McKay's guarded nautical innovations and the resulting difficulties in achieving historically precise representations of his vessels.