The Great Tea Race of 1866
The Race
In 1866, four of the world’s fastest clipper ships embarked on a high-stakes race to be the first to deliver a precious cargo of tea from China to London. The race, known as the Great Tea Race, was one of the most exciting events in the history of the China trade.
The contenders were Ariel, Taeping, Fiery Cross, and Serica. Ariel, captained by John Keay, had a slight advantage at the start, having secured the first cargo of tea in Foochow. However, Fiery Cross, captained by the experienced Dick Robinson, was a proven winner, having taken first place in the Tea Races of 1861, 1862, 1863, and 1865.
The race began on May 28, 1866, as Ariel set sail from Foochow. The other ships followed soon after. The clippers sailed east to round the northern coast of Formosa, then shaped a course to the south. They encountered various challenges along the way, including typhoons, storms, and doldrums.
The Ships
The clipper ships that competed in the Great Tea Race were marvels of naval architecture. They were designed for speed and efficiency, with sleek hulls, tall masts, and a large spread of sails.
Ariel was a brand-new ship, built in Scotland in 1866. She was 225 feet long and had a displacement of 1,074 tons. She was armed with 32 guns and carried a crew of 80 men.
Taeping was a composite ship, built in 1863. She was slightly smaller than Ariel, at 212 feet long and 963 tons displacement. She was armed with 28 guns and carried a crew of 70 men.
Fiery Cross was a composite ship, built in 1860. She was the smallest of the four contenders, at 190 feet long and 850 tons displacement. She was armed with 24 guns and carried a crew of 60 men.
Serica was a wooden ship, built in 1864. She was the lightest of the four ships, at 925 tons displacement. She was armed with 20 guns and carried a crew of 55 men.
The Captains
The captains of the clipper ships that competed in the Great Tea Race were among the most skilled and experienced sailors of their time.
John Keay was a British captain who had a reputation for being a daring and aggressive sailor. He was determined to win the Tea Race and pushed his crew to the limit.
Dick Robinson was a Scottish captain who was known for his cool head and steady hand. He was a master tactician and knew how to get the most out of his ship and crew.
Donald MacKinnon was a Scottish captain who commanded Taeping. He was a skilled navigator and knew the China Sea like the back of his hand.
George Innes was a British captain who commanded Serica. He was a strict disciplinarian and demanded the utmost from his crew.
The Race
The Great Tea Race was a close and exciting contest from start to finish. The four ships sailed neck-and-neck for much of the way, with each ship taking the lead at different points.
Fiery Cross made good use of the 14-hour lead she had gained over Ariel at the start, and reached Anjer, at the exit to the China Sea, only 20 days out from Foochow. Taeping and Ariel had fallen two days behind, and Serica did not pass the town for another day after that.
However, the weather in the Indian Ocean and around the Cape of Good Hope evened matters out somewhat; all four ships made fine time, Ariel logging a single day’s run of 317 miles and Fiery Cross one of 328. By the time the island of St. Helena came over the horizon, MacKinnon’s Taeping held a slender lead of 24 hours over Fiery Cross, with Ariel and Serica one day further behind.
As the ships approached the English Channel, the wind remained fair, blowing from the southeast. The clippers strung out into a line, with Ariel and Taeping gradually pulling ahead of Fiery Cross and Serica.
On September 6, 1866, Ariel and Taeping arrived in the English Channel in sight of each other. They raced up the Channel neck-and-neck, with both ships logging 14 knots for most of the day.
At eight on the morning of September 6, Ariel was spotted signaling her number by watchers on the shore, and not ten minutes later Taeping hove into view to claim second place. Serica was less than two hours behind, with Fiery Cross an unlucky and humiliating 36 hours further back.
The Aftermath
The Great Tea Race of 1866 was a major event in the history of the China trade. It was a testament to the skill and daring of the sailors who competed in it, and to the beauty and power of the clipper ships that they sailed.
The race also had a significant impact on the development of the tea trade. The arrival of the first tea ships in London each season determined the price of tea for the rest of the year. The Great Tea Race helped to ensure that the first ships to arrive in London were the fastest and most efficient, which benefited both the tea merchants and the consumers.
The Great Tea Race of 1866 is still remembered today as one of the most exciting events in the history of sailing. It is a reminder of the days when the clipper ships ruled the seas, and of the brave men who sailed them.
