Since I make my living building museum quality ship models, and especially Clipper Ships, I'm always looking for authoritative references books. In the China Tea Clippers by George Campbell, I have found the definitive volume for the model shipwright who's objective is 100% accuracy in his / her ship model ships.

There are certainly many excellent books detailing the glorious history of Clipper ships, but there are few that depict the many details of these complex sailing ships. I've found myself relying on the China Tea Clippers for the minutest details, most never addressed in any previous volume. All illustrations in this wonderful book were done by the author, and they are magnificent.

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Sixteen chapters make up this intensely informative book, with each section of Clipper ship design being addressed. Examples include: Hull Construction, Sail Appearance, Sail Plans, Masts and Spars, Coppering, Steering Gear Arrangements, Decking, Rudders, etc. The text in each of the chapters is tremendously detailed and insightful, without being boring to the casual reader.

I'm quite pleased that the British author recognizes the origin of the Clipper is American. As the United States and the U.K. were the only countries to build Clipper Ships, this volume is dedicated to depicting the differences in design and development over the brief 30 years of Clipper ship history. After familiarizing one's self with the highly detailed illustrations in this book, you'll be able to distinguish American from British ships at a glance.

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The author has culminated his vast knowledge of Clipper Ships, with a center spread of his ideal‚ Clipper ship, the Foochow. Although this vessel never existed, Mr. Campbell has penned the perfect Clipper combining the best of American and British designs.

All in all, as mentioned before, this is for my money the best book about Clipper Ships, albeit from the perspective of a model ship builder. I certainly consult other volumes on the subject, but find myself coming back to the China Tea Clippers to be sure the other's got it right.

Steve Priske ~ 2003

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