Keying: London’s First Chinese Ship Sensation

The article recounts the remarkable story of the Keying, a unique Chinese junk that became the first Chinese ship to visit both New York and London in the mid-19th century. Named after a Chinese commissioner, the Keying captivated Western audiences with its distinctive appearance, featuring a curving hull, ribbed sails, and mighty stern, a stark contrast to contemporary European vessels.

Despite being materially a Chinese ship, its ownership and crew reflected a blend of cultures; it was secretly purchased by British businessmen in 1846, defying Chinese laws, and sailed by a mixed crew of Cantonese and British sailors under Captain Charles Alfred Kellett. This clandestine acquisition marked a significant risk for its owners. The Keying embarked on a perilous journey from Hong Kong, rounding the Cape of Good Hope and crossing the Atlantic, a voyage that tragically claimed one life in a storm but also demonstrated its exceptional seaworthiness, even surpassing British ships in weathering storms.

Upon its arrival in New York in 1847, the Keying became an instant sensation, drawing thousands of visitors and inspiring P.T. Barnum to build a replica. It then made a phenomenal 21-day Atlantic crossing to London, arriving in April 1848. Moored initially at East India Dock and later at Temple Pier, the “Royal Chinese Junk” became a major attraction. Its royal visitors included Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and other dignitaries, who were fascinated by the ship's “Chinese world” of lanterns, carvings, and demonstrations by skilled Chinese crewmen like painter Sam-Sing and calligrapher Hesing. Visitors paid a shilling to explore its 50-meter length and 800-tonne capacity.

However, the Keying's fame in London waned after about two years at Temple Pier. Its novelty possibly diminished, overshadowed by the Great Exhibition of 1851, and its location near an “open sewer” deterred visitors. By 1852, the once-celebrated vessel was retired, eventually purchased by a Birkenhead firm, briefly displayed in Cheshire, and finally broken up by 1855, just seven years after its grand arrival. Today, a gilded weather vane on Two Temple Place serves as a subtle reminder of this extraordinary ship that once brought a piece of China to the heart of London.

(Source: https://londonist.com/london/history/the-first-chinese-ship-to-visit-london)