Chinese junk ship 'Keying' arrives in New York

When the Chinese Junk ship 'The Keying' arrived in New York in 1847, over 7000 people a day paid 25 cents each to just to walk on board and see its unusual design, and to examine the beautifully decorated cabins made of India teak wood, to observe the crew, the Chinese decorative details of silk banners and flags as well as the unusual construction of the ship.

She remained at St Helena for some time before taking course to Sandy Hooks and then arriving in New York City in July 1847. The Keying was the first ship from China to visit New York. She moored off the Battery on the southern tip of Manhattan and was received with great fanfare. No less than seven thousand visitors went on board of her every day. She remained in New York for several months. The Chinese crew of Keying were understandably angry as they had signed on only for an eight-month voyage to Singapore and Batavia (now Jakarta). Twenty-six of them left Keying and returned to Canton on board the Candace, which sailed 6 October 1847.