In his volume _The China Clippers_, Mr. Basil Lubbock says that “in the heyday of the racing, Foochow was the loading port par excellence, and the Pagoda anchorage, just before the tea came down the river, showed perhaps the most beautiful fleet of ships the world has ever seen. The crack ships, which were always the first to load, began to assemble about the end of April; and until the tea came down were all engaged in painting, varnishing and smartening themselves up, and in other ways, such as sheathing over their channels, preparing for the fray. Then what a sight they made when all was spick and span, with their glistening black hulls, snow-white decks, golden gingerbread work and carving at bow and stern, newly-varnished teak deck-fittings, glittering brass and burnished copper. Every ship, of course, had her distinctive mast and bulwark colours.” [Illustration: [_By courtesy Messrs. T. H. Parker._ PORT OF LIVERPOOL. In 1798.] [Illustration: [_By courtesy Messrs. T. H. Parker._ SCREW S.S. “LADY JOCELYN.” 1,800 tons, 300 horse-power. Owned by General Screw Steam Shipping Co.] The tea-clipper _Fiery Cross_, launched in 1860 at Liverpool and wood-built, was to become famous for her fast passages home. It was customary in those days for the first vessel who landed the new teas in England to receive a premium. This vessel won the premium on four occasions. Then in 1863 Steele built the _Serica_ and _Taeping_, two of the most famous clipper ships. The former was wood-built and of 708 tons. The latter was composite-built and of 767 tons, and it was in 1865 that two more Steele composite tea-clippers were launched, also to become famous. These were the 853-ton _Ariel_ and the 886-ton _Sir Lancelot_. Very beautiful craft they were, and no ship-lover can regard the existing pictures of these handsome craft without a thrill of emotion. Symmetry, grace, proportion, curves, easy lines as to hull; a good sail-plan, tall masts and fine spars; carrying in light winds all sorts of kites and fancy sails, the supreme test came in the ever-memorable race of 1866, which is one of the greatest events in the whole history of merchant ships under sail. On May 28, 1866, there was a whole fleet of these clippers loading at Foochow. At 5 p.m. _Ariel_ began her voyage, by dropping down and anchoring for the night; and then followed the _Fiery Cross_, _Taeping_, _Serica_ and _Taitsing_, at intervals. On August 12 _Ariel_ passed the Cape Verde Islands, next day came _Taeping_, _Fiery Cross_ and _Serica_, the _Taitsing_ not passing until the 19th, but she had made up these three days by September 1. On September 5 _Ariel_ picked up the Bishop Light, sighted _Taeping_, and the two raced up Channel, doing their fourteen knots. _Ariel_ got her pilot at six the next morning off Dungeness, followed immediately by _Taeping_. In the Downs _Taeping_ got the more powerful tug, and thus reached Gravesend nearly an hour sooner, and finally docked twenty