The Great China Race - The Clipper Ships 'Taeping' and 'Ariel' passing the Lizard, 1868

Object detail

Department

Photo

Maker

Unknown

Production date

1868

Subject notes

Some ships were intentionally built to be rivals of famous ships. One such was the tea clipper, Taiping, built for the China run and made to challenge the Fiery Cross known for its remarkable speed. Constructed by Robert Steele and Sons, the Taiping was launched in 1863. Three years later, it joined a race with five British clippers which left South China ports in the last days of May all determined to be the first to reach London harbour. The Taiping won the race, completing the 16,000 miles journey, sailing before the trade winds of the Indian Ocean and running down the Cape of Good Hope in 99 days. Aside from its speed, it was a clipper celebrated for its perfection of build and for its superb finish, with its distinct ornamental features, such as the figurehead, the gingerbread work, and the back fittings of painted teak with brass inlay. She sailed to Foochow harbour to gather the first teas then went to Shanghai.

Source: website of the Fuzhou-Napier College.

'Other British ship yards, chiefly Scottish, also began to build clipper ships, notably Robert Steele & Co. of Greenock, who between 1855 and 1859 completed a number of small but very successful ships' Web

Ariel was built by Robert Steele & Co also.

Accession number

P09457

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Subject category

Ship Shipbuilding industry Sailing Ship Transport; Water

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