The Sun.
London, England, 1867-08-22 00:00:00

HE SHIP RACE FROM CHINA.

There are no fewer • than thirteen first-class
British clipper-built ships engaged in the great ocean
race from China, and as the result will probably be
known in a few days, the interest it is exciting in
shipping and mercantile circles is considerable. The
depression of freights to the owners and the flatness
of the tea market have this year led to the with-
drawal of the premium formerly awarded as a prize
to the first ship coming in. This, it was thought,
would detract from the interest of the race ; on the
contrary, the excitement is not diminished in
the least. It will be remembered that there
were nine ships engaged in the last year's race,
the winner being the Taeping, which managed
to get into dock just half an hour before the Ariel.
Both ships arrived in the Downs simultaneously,
not having sighted each other the whole passage
from China, and the Serica was close in their rear,
all three coming up to Gravesend nearly at the same
time. These ships are also in this year's race. All
the ships have been built under special survey, and
are constructed on the composite principle—iron
ribs and wood framing. There were fourteen in
all, but one of them—the Taewan, with 780,5001bs
of tea for her cargo—was lost close to Foo-chow-
foo on the day of her sailing ; two new ships, the
Titania and the Sir Lancelot, which had been built
expressly for the race, got dismasted on their way
out to China, and could not be repaired in time.
The names of the vessels that have started are
as follows :
The
oyd,: for
Maitland,s 799 tons, built in 1865, classed A
1, at Lloyd's,
12 years.
The Serica, 708 tons, built at Greenock in 1863,
classed A 1 for 13 years; owned by Messrs. Finlay
and Co., of Greenock, and commanded by Captain
Imas.

The Taeping, 767 tons, built at Greenock in 1863,
classed A 1 for 14 years; owned by Messrs. Rodgers
and Co., Glasgow, and commanded by Captain
Dowdy. (Her late captain died on the passage out.)
The Fiery Cross, 880 tons, built at Liverpool ill
1860, classed A 1 for 13 years ; owned by Messrs.
Campbell, at that port, and commanded by Capt.

Robinson.
The Yang-tsze, 688 tons, built at Aberdeen in
1863, classed A 1 for 13 years ; owned by Messrs.
Lewin and Co., and commanded by Capt. Kimball.
The White Adder, 915 tons, built in the river
Thames in 1863, classed A 1 for 10 years ; owned
by Messrs. Willis and Co., of London, and com-
manded by Capt. Moore.
The Ziba, built at Aberdeen in 1858, classed A 1
for 13 years ; owned by Messrs. Wade and Co., and
commanded by Capt. Bowers.
The Taitsing, 815 tons, built at Glasgow in 1861
classed A 1 for 14 years; owned by Messrs. Finlay
and Co., and commanded by Capt. Nutsford.
The Black Prince, 750 tons, built at Aberdeen in
1863, classed A 1 for 13 years ; owned by Mr.
Finlay and Co., and commanded by Captain
Inglis.
The Ariel, 750 tons, built at Greenock in 1865,
classed A 1 for 14 years; owned by Messrs. Phillips,
Royal Exchange-buildings, commanded by Captain
Leary.
The Flying Spur, 733 tons, built at Plymouth in
1860, classed A 1 for 12 years ; owned by Messrs.
Robinson, of London, and commanded by Captain
Ryne.
The Chinaman, 688 tons, built at Greenock in
1865 ; owners Messrs. Park Brothers, commanded
by Captain Downie.
The Golden Spur, 657 tons, built at Guernsey in
1864, commanded by Captain Lacbeur.
The dates of the sailing of the ships from Foo-
chow-foo for London are—Maitland, May 31;
Serica, June 2 ; Taeping, June 4 ; Fiery Cross,
June 5 ; White Adder, June 7 ; Ziba, June 8 ;
Flying Spur, June 9 ; Black Prince, June 10 ;
Taitsing, June 10 ; Yang-tsze, June 12 ; Ariel,
June 13 ; Chinaman, June 15 ; Golden Spur,
June 18.
The latest news of the race is from Anjer, which
reports that the Taeping passed the Heads on the
k 27th of June.