One of the most popular of the earliest pieces in this group is "The Bird at Sea", written and published by Baltimoreans. But there are many others to catch the public eye and ear. "The Great Western" is descriptive of the first ship to cross the Atlantic to New York by the use of steam. There are several pieces about the America's Cup Races between the English and the American boats, with the Americans always the leaders, ever since the first challenge round in 1851. The mighty clipper ships, the marauding pirates, the Arctic explorers, even a whaling vessel, are depicted, along with wrecks and storms plaguing the mariners. Ferryboats, sailboats of many sizes, and even an occasional canoe, earned musical tributes.