The great ship-race from China to London: The Taeping (Captain M'Kinnon or Mackinnon) and The Ariel (Captain Keay) off the Lizard. Captain Mackinnon was a native of the Island of Tyree in Argyleshire and a Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve. The great race between nine of the swiftest clipper sailing-ships in the China trade - competing with each other all the way from Foo-Chow-Foo to London for the premium offered by the London tea importers on the arrival of the first cargo of this season's teas - resulted in the Taeping arriving in first place in London Dock at 9.45 pm and the Ariel arriving in second place at East India Dock at 10.15 pm.