Taeping

The Great Tea Race of 1866 between the Taeping and the Ariel
History
United Kingdom
Builder:	Robert Steele & Company, Greenock
Launched:	1863
General characteristics
Class and type:	Clipper
Tonnage:	767 NRT
Length:	183'
Propulsion:	Sails

The Taeping was a clipper ship built in 1863 by Robert Steele & Company of Greenock and owned by Captain Alexander Rodger of Cellardyke, Fife. Taeping participated in The Great Tea Race of 1866 and narrowly defeated the Ariel. The ship's captain was Donald MacKinnon (Dòmhnall ’ic Nèill ’ic Dhòmnaill Ruaidh) of Heanish, Isle of Tiree. Wrecked September 22, 1871 on Ladd's Reef in the China Sea.

According to Basil Lubbock, the tea clippers Taeping, Fiery Cross, Serica and Lahloo performed at their best in light breezes, as they were all rigged with single topsails.