Lahloo(clipper)
Lahloo
| |
History | |
---|---|
United Kingdom | |
Name | Lahloo |
Owner | James Findlay |
Builder | Robert Steele & Co.,Greenock,for Alexander Rodger,Glasgow |
Launched | 23 July 1867 |
Fate | LostSandalwood Island,30 or 31 July 187216°35′S179°11′E/ 16.583°S 179.183°E |
General characteristics | |
Tons burthen | 799 tons, 985 83/94 tons OM |
Length | 191 ft. 6 in. |
Beam | 32 ft. 9 in. |
Draught | 19 ft. 9 in.[1] [2]: 180 |
Lahloowas a Britishtea clipperknown for winning the Tea Race of 1870, and finishing second in the Tea Race of 1871. She sailed from Fuzhou to London with over a million pounds (500 tons) of tea in 1868.[2]: 178, 180
Construction
[edit]Lahloowas of the same class and sharpness asAriel,"with more deadrise andtumblehomeand a slightly fuller run ".She was designed by William Steele, had acompositehull, and carried Cunningham'sroller-reefingtopsails.[2]: 176, 180
Voyages
[edit]- FuzhoutoLondon
- 101 days, 1868
- 101 days, 1869 (via the "Eastern Passage" out of the China Sea)[a]
- 111 days, 1871
- London toShanghai
- 98 days (95 days pilot to pilot), 1869[2]: 180, 237–238
Won the Tea Race of 1870
[edit]"The race of 1870 from Foo-chow to London was won by the Lahloo in 97 days, the other vessels being: theWindhover,100 days;Sir Launcelot,102 days;Leander,103 days;Thermopylae,106 days. "[3]
Finished second in the Tea Race of 1871
[edit]"In 1871 theTitaniawon in 93 days; theLahloo,111 days, from Foo-chow to London; and from Shanghai to London theThermopylaewas 106 days;Cutty Sark,110 days, andForward Ho,118 days. This was about the last of the tea clipper racing, for the combined competition ofsteamand theSuez Canalproved too powerful for sail. No more tea clippers were built after 1869; by degrees these beautiful vessels were driven into other trades; and so the Clipper Ship Era drifted into history. "[3]
Sailing performance
[edit]According to Lubbock, the tea clippersLahloo,Fiery Cross,TaepingandSericaperformed at their best in light breezes, as they were all rigged with singletopsails.[4]The photograph at the beginning of this article shows Lahloo rigged with double topsails. The photograph is believed to date from the early 1870s – she was built with single topsails and it is not clear when the change was made.[2]: 180–181
Loss of the ship
[edit]Lahloowas wrecked onSandalwood Island,Sunda Islands, on 31 July 1872 whilst on a voyage from Shanghai to London with tea.[2]: 180 Her crew survived.[5]
Notes
[edit]- ^The sailing route from the China tea ports to London is across the China Sea, then the Indian Ocean, passingMauritius,rounding the southern tip of Africa into the Atlantic, generally passing to the west of theAzoresbefore turning towards theEnglish Channel.The major variations were in the China Sea, with different strategies to pick up favourable winds. A direct route to the Indian Ocean is through theSunda Strait.Circumstances (such as a strong south-westerly wind immediately on departure) or a cautious captain may dictate use of the "Eastern Passage". This meant heading out into the Pacific Ocean, going down the eastern coast ofFormosa(Taiwan) and thePhilippines,then through the Gillolo Strait, Pitt Passage, and theOmbai Straitinto the Indian Ocean. This longer route did not necessarily result in a slow passage:Sir Lancelottook 99 days from Woosung (Wusong) to London by this route in 1867. In 1869, many of the clippers took the Eastern route home.[2]: 20–22, 180
References
[edit]- ^ Lubbock, Basil(1919).The China Clippers(4th ed.). Glasgow: James Brown & Son. p. iv.
- ^abcdefgMacGregor, David R. (1983).The Tea Clippers, Their History and Development 1833-1875.Conway Maritime Press Limited.ISBN0-85177-256-0.
- ^ab
Clark, Arthur H. (1910).The Clipper Ship Era, An Epitome of Famous American and British Clipper Ships, Their Owners, Builders, Commanders, and Crews, 1843-1869.Camden, ME: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. p.336.
clipper lahloo.
- ^Lubbock, Basil (1919).The China Clippers(4th ed.). Glasgow: James Brown & Son. p. 155.
- ^"Latest Shipping Intelligence".The Times.No. 27476. London. 7 September 1872. col D, p. 11.
Further reading
[edit]- Robinson, J (1995).China clipper master: the story of John Smith of the "Lahloo".Glasgow: Brown, Son & Ferguson.ISBN978-0-85174-628-9.
External links
[edit]- Lahloo Tea,company founded by great-great granddaughter of a man who sailed on the ship
- Description of the Tea Race of 1871
- Lithograph ofLahloo
- Betting onLahloofor upcoming Tea Race
- Account of 1868 Tea Race
- Account of the wreck ofLahloo