Tea race

The ships of the East India Company took 18 months to get China. Total of 3 years past when the ship was finally back to England with a full of shipment. Of course it was not very good for the quality of tea. Even fine quality tea could loose its not only quality but also taste and aroma. To keep the quality of tea, there was a strong demand for shipping teas as fast as possible. The ship called Clipper from America made that dream came true. It was in the 19th century, the monopoly trade by East India company was ending, and the free trade was starting. Clipper ships "Oriental" provided the fastest means of transporting tea between China and the West and it was chartered by the British trader. It took approximately 3 months (97 days) to ship the tea from Hong Kong to London. They became popular, and people started to make similar structured ship for the fast transportation. Clipper was originated in New England in America. In order to collect the wind as much as possible, the masts of the clipper ship were designed in high position, the bottom of a ship was kept in shallow, and sharp stem was the one of the characters of the clipper ships. Since 1850, the clipper ships became internationally popular. Tea race also becoming active. The most famous tea race was the race in 1666. 16 British ships gathered in Foochow with the shipping of fresh tea in their ship and started for the goal in London. Taeping reached the goal first, and Ariel came in second. The difference was only 10 minutes because of the barge. Actually, they were almost in a tie. By their seamanship, the prize of the great sum of money was shared equally to both participants of Taeping and Ariel. World famous whiskey brand "Cutty Sark" was originally the name of one of the clipper ships.

(Takahiro Moritake)