Merchant ship Morayshire chartered by France for the expedition to China in 1860

In 1856 broke the Second Opium War out as a result of western powers trying to force the Chinese Qing dynasty to open the frontiers for foreign trade and to obtain more influence. A treaty signed in 1858 was to end the war and give the western powers more or less what they wanted. A combined British-America-French effort to pass the Taku forts and go on to Pei-ho (nowadays Hai River) failed and France and the United Kingdom decided to sent out a combined expedition with the first French ships leaving France on 5 December 1859. A joint ultimatum of both countries dated 8 March 1860 was refused on 8 April 1860 followed by fighting. To transport their troops and stores France and especially England hired several merchant ships.

Loyds Register 1860 mentioned a Morayshire, master S.J. Mathers, 788 tons, built at M’lmn T. in 1853, owner D. Dunbar, homeport London, England.

Sources

Léopold Pallu de La Barrière. Expédition de Chine en 1860. Paris, Imprimerie Impériale, 1863, p. 15.

Lloyds Register 1860.