Peking 1911
Peking 1911
Peking was launched in 1911 at Hambrug, Germany by the Blohm & Voss shipyard. She was owned by the F. Laeisz Company of hat port, who used her to carry fuel and manufactured goods to the West Coast of South America, around Cap Horn, and return to European ports with nitrate mined in northern Chile. The nitrate was used to fertilize the worn-out fields of Europe and to manufacture chemicals for various applications, including munitions.
With her four-masted bark rig, steel hull and masts, and midship bridge deck, Peking represents the final generation of sailing ships built for world trade. Though a product of the 20th century, she still sailed in the traditional way, with few labor-saving devices or safety features. Her crew followed the standard sailing vessel routine of four hours on duty and fours off duty, alternation around the clock, seven days a week.
The number of sails set depended on the strength of the wind; when it increased, the sails had to be taken in quickly, no matter what the weather condition, A ton or more heavy canvas had to be gathered up by hauling on lines from the desk. For the final furling, the men had to climb "ratlines" almost as high as seventeen-story building, go out on swaying foot ropes rigged from the yards, and bundle up the sail with their bare hands.
Peking was retired in 1933, when steamers using the Panama Canal took over what was left of th nitrate trade. She served as nautical school for boys, moored in British river, until she was acquired by the museum in 1974.
Peking 1911
Peking 1911
Peking was launched in 1911 at Hambrug, Germany by the Blohm & Voss shipyard. She was owned by the F. Laeisz Company of hat port, who used her to carry fuel and manufactured goods to the West Coast of South America, around Cap Horn, and return to European ports with nitrate mined in northern Chile. The nitrate was used to fertilize the worn-out fields of Europe and to manufacture chemicals for various applications, including munitions.
With her four-masted bark rig, steel hull and masts, and midship bridge deck, Peking represents the final generation of sailing ships built for world trade. Though a product of the 20th century, she still sailed in the traditional way, with few labor-saving devices or safety features. Her crew followed the standard sailing vessel routine of four hours on duty and fours off duty, alternation around the clock, seven days a week.
The number of sails set depended on the strength of the wind; when it increased, the sails had to be taken in quickly, no matter what the weather condition, A ton or more heavy canvas had to be gathered up by hauling on lines from the desk. For the final furling, the men had to climb "ratlines" almost as high as seventeen-story building, go out on swaying foot ropes rigged from the yards, and bundle up the sail with their bare hands.
Peking was retired in 1933, when steamers using the Panama Canal took over what was left of th nitrate trade. She served as nautical school for boys, moored in British river, until she was acquired by the museum in 1974.