Taeping


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 of Heanish, Tiree. It was wrecked on 22 September 1871 by Ladd's Reef in the South China Sea while traveling to New York.

Sailing performance

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.