Seaport in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Peking
1911
— South Street Seaport Museum —
Peking was launched in 1911 at Hamburg, Germany by the Blohm & Voss shipyard. She was owned by the F. Laeisz Company of that port, who used here to carry fuel and manufactured goods to the West Coast of South America, around Cape 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. Thought 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 four hours off duty, alternating 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 conditions. A ton or more of heavy canvas had to be gathered up by hauling on lines from the deck. For the final furling, the men had to climb “ratlines” almost as high as a seventeen-story building, go out on swaying footropes 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 the nitrate trade. She served as a nautical school for boys, moored in a British river, until she was acquired by the museum in 1974.
Extreme length: 377.5’ Draft: 16’ (current) Net tonnage: 2,883 Length on deck: 320’ Rig: Four-masted bark Displacement tonnage: 8,400 (fully loaded) Construction: Steel hull Rig height: 170.5’ Gross tonnage: 3,100
Erected by South Street Seaport Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 40° 42.343′ N, 74° 0.192′ W. Marker was in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It was in Seaport. Marker could be reached from South Street east of John Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker was at the northeast corner of the Peking's dock near Pier 16 on the grounds of the South Street Seaport Museum - south and east of the F.D.R.- East River Drive and southwest of the Brooklyn Bridge. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: New York NY 10038, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. America's Emporium (here, next to this marker); Wall Street Exists Because of the Seaport (a few steps from this marker); South Street's Markets (a few steps from this marker); High Water Mark (a few steps from this marker); Forecastle Head (a few steps from this marker); Ambrose (a few steps from this marker); Wavertree (a few steps from this marker); Capstan (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
Regarding Peking. Peking was sold to a maritime museum in Germany in 2015 and has since arrived there.
Also see . . . Wikipedia entry for the Peking (ship). (Submitted on October 3, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Additional keywords. windjammer; Flying P-Liner Peking
Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 525 times since then and 12 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 3, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 4. submitted on April 19, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5. submitted on October 6, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.