Name Lahloo Beam 32 ft. 9 in. Launched 23 July 1867 Draft 6.02 m | Owner James Findlay Draught 19 ft. 9 in. Length 58 m Tons burthen 724,800 kg | |
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Fate Lost Sandalwood Island, 30 or 31 July 1872 | ||
The Lahloo was a British Tea Clipper known for winning the Tea Race of 1870, and finishing second in the Tea Race of 1871. She sailed from Foochow to London with over a million pounds (500 tons) of tea in 1868.
Contents
Construction
Lahloo was of the same class and sharpness as Ariel, "with more deadrise and tumblehome and a slightly fuller run." She was designed by William Steele, had a composite hull, and carried Cunningham's roller-reefing topsails.
Voyages
Won the Tea Race of 1870
"The race of 1870 from Foo-chow to London was won by the Lahloo in 97 days, the other vessels being: the Windhover, 100 days; Sir Launcelot, 102 days; Leander, 103 days; Thermopylae, 106 days."
Finished second in the Tea Race of 1871
"In 1871 the Titania won in 93 days; the Lahloo, 111 days, from Foo-chow to London; and from Shanghai to London the Thermopylae was 106 days; Cutty Sark, 110 days, and Forward Ho, 118 days. This was about the last of the tea clipper racing, for the combined competition of steam and the Suez Canal proved too powerful for sail. No more tea clippers were built after 1869; by degrees these beautiful vessels were driven into other trades; and so the Clipper Ship Era drifted into history."
Sailing performance
According to Lubbock, the tea clippers Lahloo, Fiery Cross, Taeping and Serica performed at their best in light breezes, as they were all rigged with single topsails.
Loss of the ship
The Lahloo was wrecked on Sandalwood Island, Sunda Islands, on 31 July 1872 (photograph states 30 July), on a voyage from Shanghai to London with tea.