AN INTERESTING BUILDER’S HALF-BLOCK MODEL FOR THE COMPOSITE TEA CLIPPER MAITLAND BUILT FOR JOHN KELSO BY WILLIAM PILE, SUNDERLAND, 1865

the 48in. hull carved from 1in. laminated pine and lined with bracing and plating marks numbered below gunwale, plain lacquered deck mounted on wooden display board with specification plate; overall measurements -- 12 x 58in. (30.5 x 147cm.)

Provenance: Monkwearmouth Historical Society, deaccessioned 2017

Whilst the name of Maitland is much less familiar than those legendary clippers such as Ariel, Taiping and Thermopylae, she was nevertheless a notable vessel dating from the most exciting decade in the history of the China Tea Trade. With owners wanting ever faster ships to bring the new season’s tea home as speedily as technology would allow, Maitland was ordered by John Kelso of North Shields and built in William Pile’s yard at Sunderland. Despite Pile’s earlier success with the doughty Lammermuir of 1856, his yard was not renowned for turning out record-breakers; nevertheless much was expected from Maitland as she neared completion.

Launched on 2nd December 1865, she was registered at 799 tons and measured 183 feet in length with a 35-foot beam. Of composite construction, her planks were laid upon iron frames and her considerable beam provided good stability for her large and lofty sail plan. This even included some highly unusual moonsails above her standing skysails, a feature that simply added to the thoroughbred appearance. Credited with a speed of 15 knots in 1869, Captain Coulson - her first master - even claimed a burst of 17 knots on her maiden passage, but these figures were to prove the exception rather than the rule. However, she still made Hong Kong 87 days out of Sunderland on that first outward run and this resulted in a prime cargo at Foochow when the local shippers heard of it. She returned home in a speedy 104 days, fast but not remarkable, and this was to become characteristic of her performance thereafter.

She survived the potentially fatal striking of the Ariadne Rock when leaving Woosung late in 1868 only by beaching herself in the nick of time with five feet of water in her hull. Repaired at Shanghai, she was back in service the following year during which she claimed a record dash of 22½ hours from Sunderland to the Downs at the start of her outward passage, returning home in a creditable 102 days against Thermopylae’s cracking 91 days, Foochow to London. Short-lived, like so many of her contemporaries, she was wrecked on a coral reef in the Huon Islands, north of New Caledonia, on 25th May 1874 whilst on passage from Brisbane to China.

Condition Report

fine overall condition, display board and plate later

We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of this property. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Charles Miller Ltd is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE.