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Project primarily concerned with establishing the origins of Captain Charles Alfred Auckland Kellett, famous for having sailed the Chinese junk Keying from China, around the Cape of Good Hope to the United States and England between 1846 and 1848.
A CHINESE JUNK - CHINESE ACTORS FOR ENGLAND. In a former number of our paper we inserted an extract of a private letter, sent to us by an esteemed correspondent, from Hong Kong, announcing the promised visit of a real Chinese Junk, chartered for the Thames. We have received another letter - dated "Dec. 22, Hong Kong" - upon the subject, which, we think, as treated by the writer, will be found interesting: - In my last I sent you some account of a Chinese Junk destined for exhibition to our sight-loving countrymen in England, if she should ever reach so far - no Chinese vessel ever having yet made the passage, though several have attempted; two have in former days got as far as the Cape, but there they foundered. This great enterprise is a speculation of a select number of respectable individuals, residents in Hong Kong, the greater part of them English, who have purchased the junk for a sum of certainly not less than 30,000 dollars, which they have raised by shares, expecting to make a very good thing of the adventure. A portion of the owners, among whom are the commander of the vessel, Captain Kellett, Captains Porter and Pigget, two gentlemen of great experience in the Chinese trade, Mr. Thomas Lane, of the firm Lane, Rowland, and Co., of this place, Mr. Saunders, a private gentleman, with a nautical gentleman officiating as mate, accompanying the vessel to England, and, from their well-known skill and knowledge, the most sanguine hopes of success are entertained or this wild and somewhat Quixotic undertaking, risking their lives and property, and some of them leaving their wives and children. All that human foresight and exertion can accomplish may reasonably be expected. The whole affair is quite romantic, and excited the greatest interest here; in fact Hong Kong was for some days in a hubbub. Nearly all the shareholders are young men, private friends of each other. The parting scene aboard the vessel, of those who were to accompany her to England, and those who, perhaps more wisely, remain here, was interesting enough to have furnished a scene for one of Marryatt's novels; it was described to me as being quite pathetic, but, as you know, I have little taste for the sentimental. She sailed on Sunday, the 6th. instant, saluting Hong Kong as she left with three guns. Some confusion was occasioned by the man who fired the first gun, a poor fellow named John Ross, by some inadvertence, blowing himself overboard, whereby he has lost an eye and an arm; this was rather a bad omen at starting. The junk was to have sailed a week earlier than she did, but the rain setting in prevented the crew from getting their dry goods on board. The most curious part of the speculation, and that which will most strongly excite the curiosity of John Bull, is, that among the crew there is a regular corps dramatique, with their tailor, property-ma, &c., who are to exhibit on board the junk when she arrives in London. Think of a Chinese Macready! and a Chinese Mrs. Butler! (for I see by a Yankee paper she designs to visit England.) What chance will Sheridan Knowles, or any of your crack dramatists have, when the British public once see some of the dramas of Sing, Sing, and Fo, Fum? Huzza! for the Tea-pot actors! -Douglas Jerrold's Weekly Newspaper 13 March 1847
THE CHINESE JUNK. - The Keying (Captain Kellett) arrived at Jersey on Wednesday last, after a terrific passage of twenty-two days. The appearance of such a novelty caused no little excitement among the sight-seekers, who flocked to the piers, and hundreds rounded in her cutters. The custom-house officers visited her immediately on her arrival. She is reported to have onboard some valuable presents for Her Britannic Majesty. Her capabilities of sailing where well tested in crossing the Atlantic, having passed many vessels "hove to," while she was scudding at the rate of ten to twelve knots an hour under bare poles. She appears to be of very large dimensions, having three masts; on her stern is painted the figure of a bird, in very showy colours, and in her bows she has two large eyes. The Captain complains of the conduct of the Chinese sailors on board, and states it was almost by a miracle he was enabled to reach Jersey. The junk will be towed to the Thames in a few days. - The Patriot, Monday, March 20, 1848
VISIT OF HER MAJESTY AND THE PRINCE CONSORT TO THE CHINESE JUNK. - The Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Albert. accompanied by their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, and his Royal Highness the Prince of Prussia, went to Blackwall on Tuesday afternoon, for the purpose of inspecting the Chinese junk "Keying," recently brought to this country by Captain Kellett, an officer of the British merchant service.
The royal party left Buckingham Palace shortly after four o'clock. The royal suite included Lord Alfred Paget, Col. the Hon. C. Grey, Capt. the Hon. A. Gordon, and the Countess of Charlemont.
The route taken was down Birdcage-walk, over Westminster Bridge to the Burough-road, and thence over London Birdge through Fenchurch-street, Whitechapel, and the Commercial-road to the East India Docks.
On passing over London Bridge and through Gracechurch-street, the royal party was several times brought to a standstill, owing to the crowded state of those thoroughfares. Although the servants were in undress liveries, the Queen was several times recognised, and as often enthusiastically cheered by the populace. In Fenchurch-street, where a delay of a few moments took place owing to a block occasioned by some wagons, the cheers with which her Majestry was greeted were deafening; indeed her reception altogether in the metropolis was such as could not fail to be as gratifying to her Majesty's feelings, as it was creditable to the loyalty of her people.
The royal party arrived at Blackwall at half-past five o'clock, and entered the East India Docks by the Orchardhouse Gate. The principal authorities of the Dock Company, including Mr John Alexander Hankey, chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Collier, the secretary, and Mr. Knight, the superintendent, were in attendance to receive her Majesty. Messrs. Richard and Henry Green, the extensive East India shipowners and builders, and several other gentleman of influence in the neighbourhood, were also present.
The dockyard itself, and every spot in the vicinity from which a view of the royal party could be obtained was crowded with spectators. On the royal carriage drawing up at the entrance of the enclosure, her majesty alighted and taking the arm of the Prince of Prussia, was conducted by Lord Alfred Paget on board the junk.
On board the vessel her Majesty was received by Captain Kellett and Mr. Revett; the latter gentleman having from first to last, been the sharer of all the difficulties and dangers encountered by the former in bringing the junk to this country. Lord Alfred Paget, having introduced Captain Kellett to the Queen, her majesty requested the gallant captain to proceed her through the ship, and to explain the peculiarities of its construction.
Her majesty first visited the state cabin, where Mrs. Kellett, the wife of the gallant commander and owner of the ship, had the honour of being presented to the Queen. The cabin is full of very remarkable curiosities - the most striking of which is the Joss house. or domestic shrine, containing the peculiar idol to which this ship is dedicated - a block of carved wood, richly gilt, rejoicing in the title "Chin Tee". After asking a great many questions, with the answers to which her Majesty expressed herself pleased and amused, the royal party left the cabin and proceeded to the poop. From this elevated part of the vessel the royal party were visible to the thousands of spectators on the shipping and dock walls, and their appearance was greeted with simultaneous cheering from every quarter. To reach this point was a task of no small difficulty, and we question if many of our fair readers, who may hereafter visit the ship, will have the boldness to attempt it; but the Queen mounted the steps with the activity of a school-girl, and her beaming countenance when she looked around evinced a decree of delight and satisfaction not inconsistent with the character alluded to.
Her Majesty was much amused with the Chinese inscriptions abounding in the vessel, the translations of which was supplied by Captain Kellett. One over the stern, inscribed on camphor wood, imploring the waves not to wash over the ship, was particularly noticed. The five small flags, floating over the stern, were explained to be the five standards of the provinces of China with which the English trade: -Canton, Ningpo, Shanghae, Amoi, and Foo Chow Foo. After devoting more than an hour to the inspection of the vessel, her majesty returned to terrâ firmâ, and make the circuit of the exterior of the ship. Her Majesty then expressed to Captain Kellett the gratification she had derived from her visit, and at twenty minutes to seven the royal party took their departure from the dock yard amid the cheers of the thousands assembled.
The return route by her Majesty's request, was through Victoria-park to Hackney-road, and thence by Islington and the New-road to Portland-Place, from which latter the royal cortége passed through Cavendish-square into Bond-street, entering Hyde-park by Grosvenor-square. -The Hampshire Advertiser, Satruday, May 20, 1848 & - The Lancaster Gazette, Saturday, May 20, 1848
Charles Alfred Kellett
- b. 25/11/1818 in Plymouth, Devon, England
- (14-20) September 1833 - November 1839 H.M. Packet Spey, Boy & Seaman
- December 1839 - January 1841 - married Jane Kellett in Liverpool, Lancashire, England?
- (22-24) February 1841 - March 1843 Psyche, 2nd Mate & Chief Mate
- April 1843 - Whereabouts unknown.
- (24-25) May 1843 - June 1844 Emily Jane, Chief Mate
- (25-26) July 1844 - November 1845 Will o'the Wisp, Chief Mate & Master
- (27-28) Dec 1845 - December 1846 Corcyra, Master
- (28-32) December 1846 - December 1850 Chinese Junk Keying, Master
- (32) Living in Sydenham Hill, Lewisham, Kent, England on March 30th 1851.
- (32) Louisa Jane Kellett is born on June 15th, 1851.
- (32) Louisa Jane Kellett dies July 1st, 1851.
- (34) Departs: London, England 17/09/1853 aboard the Northfleet (Captain N. Pentreath).
- Arrives: Auckland, New Zealand 02/02/1854.
- Departs: Auckland, New Zealand 27/04/1854 aboard the Kestrel.
- Arrives: Melbourne, Australia 06/1854.
- Charles Kellett between 1854 and 1856
- Louisa Jane Kellett between 1854 and 1856
- (35) 09/08/1856 Writes to Governor of NSW (Sir William Thomas Denison, later appointed Governor of Madras) for assistance. 58 Liverpool Street West.
- (38) Sydney Stanford Kellett is born on April 30th, 1857.
- Sands Sydney Commercial Directory 1861, Charles Kellet, 238 Liverpool Street.
- Sands Sydney, Commercial Directory 1865, Charles Kellett, Master Mariner, 3 Burton Lane
- 23rd May, 1865, a Mrs Kellett and three children were cleared on the RMS Madras in Sydney bound initially for Galle.
- (50),d. 10/01/1869 in Calcutta, Bengal, India.
Particulars of Service
- H.M. Packet Spey Boy & Seaman
- September 1833 - November 1839
- HMS Spey
- Spey, 1827
- Type: Packet / Brig ; Armament 4
- Launched : 1827 ; Disposal date or year : 28 Nov 1840
- Disposal Details : Wrecked on Racoon Key ; Lieut. Robt Bastard James
- Notes:
- 27 Feb 1830 arrived at Rio Janeiro from Falmouth.
- 11 Jun 1830 arrived Jamaica.
- 15 Jun 1830 departed Jamaica for Carthagena.
- 1 Aug 1830 arrived Falmouth from Jamaica (3d ult.)
- 8 Dec 1830 arrived Falmouth from the Leeward Islands (8th ult.)
- 18 Jan 1831 arrived Madeira, from Falmouth, and departed for Canaries.
- 30 Jul 1831 arrived Honduras from Falmouth.
- 24 Oct 1831 arrived Falmouth from Vera Cruz (1 Sep), Havannah (23d).
- 29 Apr 1832 arrived Lisbon from Falmouth.
- 13 May 1832 arrived Lisbon from Falmouth.
- 17 Jun 1832 arrived at Plymouth, from Falmouth, to be paid off.
- 30 Jul 1833 commissioned at Plymouth for the packet service.
- 5 Sep 1833 In Hamoaze.
- 10 Sep 1833 departed Plymouth for Falmouth.
- 3 Dec 1835 departed Falmouth for Halifax.
- At sea 9 Dec 1835 sustained severe damage in a storm between 20-27 Nov 1835, losing all her masts, spars and rigging and much damage below decks. The commanding officer, Lieutenant I Binney, and 13 of the crew were lost or killed during this period. The master, having rigged a jury mast on the remaining stump of the fore-mast set a sail and headed for the south and hoped to make Antigua in 3 weeks.
- 7 Jan 1836 arrived Havannah and departed on 9th for Belize.
- 26 Jul 1837 The First Hurricane.
- 1 - 6 Aug 1837 The Second Hurricane.
- 23-26 Nov 1840 the Spey arrived at the Crooked Islands ... and proceeded on her way to Havannah attempting a passage between the Racoon and Bona Vista Keys, instead of the old Bahamas channel, the vessel was lost after striking on a coral reef.
- 11 Feb 1841 the packet Star arrived Falmouth from Tampico Havannah ( 5 Jan), with the crew of the packet Spey, recently lost on a reef whilst en route for Mexico.
- 16 Feb 1841 the Star arrived at Plymouth, from Falmouth, with the crew of the Spey packet.
- 22 Feb 1841 a court-martial took place on board the San Josef, at Plymouth, to investigate the charges laid against Lieutenant Bastard James, the officers and men over the loss of the packet-brig Spey November last. Blame was atributed to the commander and master : Lieutenant James to be severely reprimanded, and be placed at the bottom of the list of lieutenants ; and Mr. Barratt to be reprimanded, and be placed at the bottom of the list of masters. The rest of the officers and crew were acquitted. John Patterson, the gunner, and Mr. Carpenter, master's assistant were amongst those who gave evidence.
- Psyche 2nd Mate & Chief Mate
- February 1841 - March 1843
- Emily Jane Chief Mate
- May 1843 - June 1844
- Will o'the Wisp Chief Mate & Master
- July 1844 - November 1845
- July 1844 - November 1845
- Corcyra Master
- Dec 1845 - December 1846
- Dec 1845 - December 1846
- Chinese Junk Keying Master
- December 1846 - December 1850
- A Floating Ethnology: The Strange Voyage of the Chinese Junk Keying by John Rodgers Haddad