the "Columbia" anchored within forty yards of her consort. The "Lady Washington" and the "Colombia" then purchased furs at various harbors. It is said that sea-otter skins which were afterwards sold at Canton for $200 each were purchased from the Indians at lees than one shilling. In the month of July the furs were placed aboard the "Columbia." Captain Robert Gray taking command of that ship, sailed for China.[1] He sold the furs, purchased a cargo of tea, and sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, arrived in Boston August 10, 1790, after a voyage of 50,000 miles. The officers and owners were entertained by Governor Hancock with fitting hospitality; and the hopeful owners planned a second voyage.
The "Columbia," a Historic Ship. In addition to what has been said of the "Columbia," die following from "The Memorial History of the City of New York" by James Grant Wilson is of value: "The ship, the "Empress of China," Captain John Green, sailed (from New York) February 22, 1784, Washington's birthday. She carried the original flag of the United States adopted in 1777. The flag, first flown on the Pacific Coast in 1784, was taken round the world by the "Columbia in 1789-90." It is noteworthy that the "Columbia" was the first American ship to circumnavigate the globe; that she was the first ship of our nation to carry our flag around the earth; and that the flag which she carried
- ↑ Captain Gray's Bill of Lading. The following bill of lading, Signed by Captain Gray, illustrates the seriousness of going to sea in 1790:
"Shipped by the grace of God, in good order and condition, by Bhaw and Randall, in and upon the good ship called the "Columbia," whereof is master under God for this present voyage, Robert Gray, and now riding at anchor at Whampoa and by God's grace bound for Boston in America— to say, 220 chests Bohea tea, 170 half-chests, do, 144 quarter-chests do. To be delivered unto Samuel Parkman, Esq., or to his assigns; and so God send the good ship to her desired port in safety. Amen. Dated In Canton, February 8, 1790. (Signed) Robert Gray."
