The ''Empress of China''

By Crusader1307

The “Empress of China” was one of the first Merchant Ships built by the newly Independent United States of America, and launched in 1783. Conceived as a Privateer, she was re-classified as a Commerce Ship to establish Trade with China. The “Empress” was the first Ship to establish ties with China. A (3) Masted, Fully Rigged Wooden Vessel, The “Empress of China” crewed 34 Men. She displaced 200-tons and was equipped with (4) 6-pound Cannon (Single Deck), for defense. Her first voyage took only 14-months to complete (sailing from New York to Canton). She would eventually be broken up for scrap shortly before The War of 1812.