Kingfisher (clipper)

A Kingfisher was a British clipper ship renowned for its speed and performance in the tea trade of the mid-19th century. These vessels were specifically designed to transport perishable goods, primarily tea, from China to England as quickly as possible. Speed was crucial, as the first ships to arrive with the new season's tea commanded the highest prices.

The Kingfisher was likely built with a long, narrow hull, a large sail area, and a clipper bow – all characteristics of ships designed for speed. While specific details regarding the Kingfisher's dimensions, builder, and exact service history may vary depending on which Kingfisher is being referenced (as the name was sometimes reused), it is generally understood to be representative of the fast, elegant clipper ships that dominated the tea trade during that era.

The competition amongst these clippers was fierce, leading to celebrated races across the globe. While records of specific races won or lost by "a" Kingfisher might be difficult to ascertain definitively without more specific identification, these ships played a significant role in the economic and cultural exchange between the East and the West. The era of the tea clippers declined with the advent of steamships, which offered more reliable schedules and larger cargo capacity.