How a privateering ship became Salem’s first China trader in 1786

Salem’s Risky Gamble That Opened China Trade

Salem Maritime National Historic Park tells the story of America’s first millionaire and the risky gamble that made him rich. In 1785, Elias Hasket Derby sent his ship Grand Turk to Africa, but the cargo wouldn’t sell.

Captain Ebenezer West and supercargo William Vans faced a choice: sail home empty or try something bold. They headed to Canton, China instead.

The Grand Turk became Salem’s first ship to trade with China and returned in 1787 with tea, silk, and porcelain worth $23,000.

Here’s how one failed voyage launched America’s China trade and where you can tour Derby’s actual mansion today.

Salem Merchant Gambled His Ship on a Risky China Voyage

Elias Hasket Derby sent his ship Grand Turk to Africa in December 1785, hoping to make money trading at the Cape of Good Hope.

Captain Ebenezer West and William Vans, Derby’s business agent, carried American goods worth £9,200 including tobacco, wine, iron bars, flour, and rum.

The Grand Turk was a converted privateer of 300 tons that Derby launched in 1781, built for speed but with good cargo space. After making money during the Revolutionary War, Derby wanted to try global trade instead.

The African Market Turned Out to Be a Total Bust

After 82 days at sea, West and Vans finally reached the Cape of Good Hope only to face huge disappointment. They found markets had no interest in their cargo.

The Dutch merchants at Table Bay drove hard bargains and refused to pay good prices for American goods. West and Vans sold part of their cargo, but profits fell far short of Derby’s hopes.

Captain West left Table Bay on March 17, 1786, to look for better trading spots rather than go home empty-handed.

American Flag Flies at Mauritius for the First Time

Vans and West sailed the Grand Turk to Mauritius, a French-controlled island that just opened its ports to American ships. The Grand Turk became the first American vessel to visit this Indian Ocean island.

Unlike British ports that kept Americans out, French Mauritius welcomed the new nation’s traders. Derby had planned for the ship to trade at Mauritius, known then as Île de France, famous for coffee and sugar.

But even here, coffee and sugar prices were too high to make a profit.

French Traders Offer a Wild New Plan

Two French merchants on Mauritius, Randall Ouery and Sebier de la Chataignerais, bought the Grand Turk’s remaining cargo and came up with a bold idea.

They asked to rent the ship to carry French goods to Canton, China, and then continue to Boston. Vans and West grabbed this chance to save the voyage.

They wrote to Derby about this new plan, though he wouldn’t learn about it until much later. The decision changed a failing African trading trip into America’s early push into the China trade.

The Grand Turk Sets Sail for the Far East

The deal was signed on June 30, 1786, and the Grand Turk left Mauritius for China around July 1. Mr. Sebier himself came along to look after the French merchants’ business interests.

The ship carried French goods from Mauritius they hoped would sell well in Chinese markets.

This voyage marked the start of direct trade between the young United States and the ancient Chinese empire, opening a relationship that would grow for centuries.

American Ship Joins the Trading Fleet at Whampoa

The Grand Turk dropped anchor at Whampoa’s Pagoda anchorage, becoming only the third American ship to reach China. She was one of five American vessels and the first from Salem to arrive during the 1786 trading season.

Captain West followed advice to work with a Hong Merchant as his agent, choosing the respected Pinqua to help navigate the complex Chinese trading system.

With Pinqua’s help, the Grand Turk cleared customs and began unloading her cargo.

Money Problems Throw a Wrench in the Plan

The French merchants ran into trouble after paying all the fees required to trade in Canton. Sebier and Ouery had to cover “charges & duties & presents” that ate up their money.

After selling his cargo, Sebier realized he didn’t have enough cash left to rent the Grand Turk for a tea shipment to Boston. The rental agreement fell apart.

The French traders completely underestimated how expensive it was to do business in China. West and Vans now faced returning to Salem with nothing to show for their journey.

Americans Make a Bold Move and Buy Chinese Goods

Vans and West decided to use Derby’s funds to buy Chinese cargo themselves.

They asked Pinqua to arrange a shipment of tea, and added porcelain, spices, and other Chinese goods to fill the hold. This direct purchase created the pattern for American-Chinese trade that would last for generations.

Pinqua helped the Americans put together a profitable cargo of Chinese goods that would sell well back in New England.

The Longest Trade Route Brings Exotic Treasures Home

The Grand Turk left Canton in late 1786 with her valuable Chinese cargo.

She carried tea, silk, porcelain, and other luxury goods worth about $23,000 – items that Americans wanted but had previously gotten only through British middlemen.

The trip home completed what was then the world’s longest trade route sailed by an American vessel.

Future American traders would follow this path as they grew business with Asia, doing it profitably without European middlemen.

Salem Harbor Welcomes China Trade Pioneer

The Grand Turk sailed into Salem harbor on May 22, 1787, becoming the first New England ship to complete direct trade with China. The whole town came out to see the exotic Chinese treasures being unloaded on their docks.

Derby’s gamble had paid off big time.

News of the Grand Turk’s success spread quickly through New England’s trading communities, sparking a rush of merchants hoping to copy Derby’s success in the China trade.

Derby Builds an Empire from One Lucky Voyage

By 1789, just three years after the Grand Turk’s pioneering trip, at least sixteen American vessels were trading at Canton. Derby owned four of these ships – the Astrea, Atlantic, Light Horse, and Three Sisters.

The China trade made Derby incredibly wealthy. He became not only one of the most celebrated traders after the Revolution but at one point the richest man in the United States.

Salem’s focus on East Indian markets brought the small Massachusetts port remarkable prosperity. For decades, Salem served as America’s premier Asian trading port, all thanks to the Grand Turk’s game-changing voyage.

Visiting Salem Maritime National Historical Park

Salem Maritime National Historical Park at 160 Derby Street tells the story of Salem’s pioneering China trade through exhibits and historic buildings.

You can explore the Public Stores and Scale House on your own to learn about global trade.

The Derby House offers guided tours for up to 8 people with reservations at Salem Visitor Center on 2 New Liberty Street. Check out the replica tall ship Friendship docked at Derby Wharf.

Everything is free.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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