Note 217 — Chapter XIV

Among those who took the lead in the production and improvement of clipper ships at that time may be mentioned Captain Maxton, of the Titania, who had formerly commanded the early iron clippers, Lord of the Isles and Falcon, and who has, with the assistance of Messrs. Robert Steele and Son, brought out in successive years the Ariel and Titania, vessels of great beauty. Nor must I overlook Captain Bullock, who navigated the Challenger through the most successful and exciting part of her career; and Captain Rodger, who commanded the Kate Carnie, and subsequently owned the Taeping, Ellen Rodger, Min, and other well-known clippers. Among the builders, the name of the late Mr. William Pile, of Sunderland, should not be overlooked: he designed, built, and launched many famous clipper ships, such as the Spray of the Ocean and the Crest of the Wave, two of the handsomest sailing vessels that ever floated. The latter vessel once left Shanghai for London with the American clipper ship, Sea Serpent, a well-known China trader, which was to receive 30s. per ton extra freight on her cargo of young teas (which obtain the highest price in their relative qualities), if she beat the Crest of the Wave. Both ships arrived off the Isle of Wight the same day, but the captain of the American, leaving his vessel in charge of the pilot, started by railway for London, and reported the Sea Serpent at the Custom House before his own ship or the Crest of the Wave had passed through the Downs.