Big schooner in Hong Kong?

[Seth Wood]

I'm in Hong Kong and danged if I didn't just see what looks like Lynx or Pride of Baltimore motor down the harbor and -- just before it was too small to see -- flash out white sails and disappear, leaning, behind buildings. Eastbound.

Any ideas what ship this was? It was a strange and wonderful change from staring at e-mails.

[Seth Wood]

Could be: this was yellow and black; topsail schooner, with what looked like white awnings aft. Worse: she came back just as I had to stop looking out the window because of a meeting. GNRGHGHHH!

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Hong Kong is allergic to big sailing craft.

Years ago - well, in 1981 - the Hong Kong Outward Bound School - who were very well organised, largely by several Master Mariners who had gone ashore there and taken up sucessful business careers - Mark Leese of Modern Terminals was one - built a magnificent 125ft brigantine - teak - Lloyds 100+A1 - built in Hong Kong - the real McCoy called the Ji Fung, and throughout the Eighties various friends of mine sailed as Master on her as a break from commanding cargo ships:

http://www.schoonerman.com/jifung.jpg

Anyway, after 2000 there was no more interest in her, as the Youth of Hong Kong had apparently lost interest in having their Characters Built in the Kurt Hahn manner, and she was sold (I had a hand in the selling) to John Player Tobacco - I forget why they wanter her - advertising I think - but she was wrecked in the Balearics soon after.

Eheu.:(

http://www.geoffwilliamson.com/newpics2/MBT09A/images/GW12345-50.jpg