2-889-411 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Ship "Oriental", of New York, 1850. Arrival of the first American clipper at West India Docks in London, after the alteration in the Navigation Laws. She '...was built for the China trade...she sailed from New York on her first voyage the 14th September, 1849...A period of fourteen months and nineteen days has elapsed...since which time she has sailed 67,000 miles...The above facts are taken from the log-book, by permission of Capt T. D. Palmer, by Mr. J. Spiller, of Wapping. We should add that the Oriental brings about 1600 tons of tea at £6 per ton, whilst all the ships loading at Whampoa [in China] at the same time only got £3 10s. The bulk of her cargo is consigned to three firms of the highest eminence...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.