China Clipper Master: Story of John Smith of the 'Lanloo' - John Robinson; A.A. Morton (Hardback) 01-07-1995

This work tells the story of John Smith, born in Anstruther, Fife, in 1823, whose career saw him rise from a boy on a Greenland whaler, to the position of master of the "Lahloo", one of the most successful of the China tea clippers. After the loss of the "Lahloo" in 1872, Smith was given the job by Killick Martin of London, to supervise the building of the "Maju" at Dundee. She was an iron clipper intended for the "China Run", and much was expected of her in the trade. She sailed from Dundee on her maiden voyage bound for Rangoon with Smith in command, but was lost with all hands five days later off Barvas in Lewis, in the "Great Gale of 21st October, 1874". All the details of the disaster are given in the words of many contemporary newspaper reports. The story continues by following the long widowhood of Smith's wife and the lives of his daughters. Also covered is his life-long rivalry with Captain John Keay of the "Falcon" and "Ariel", who was born in the same street of the fishing town in the East Neuk of Fife.