Douglas Lapraik

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The buildings of the Douglas Lapraik & Co trading company (Taiwan), established in 1871, located in the third section of the foreign merchants used to gather and their companies were located, in Tamsui District, Taiwan. 

However, Douglas' career in Asia didn't begin in Taiwan. 

He came east from London in 1839 and became apprenticed to a watch and chronometer maker in Macau, relocating to Hong Kong in 1842. Having established his own watchmaking business by 1846. 

Lapraik bought two wooden paddle ships, followed by three steamers, launching the first regular service to Xiamen, Fuzhou and Shantou, and started his shipping business in 1850. He quickly earned a reputation for efficiency and comfort. 

In 1863, he co-founded the Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company (Kowloon Docks) which at its peak reached the largest shipyard in Asia.

Since Douglas Lapraik & Co was a latecomer onto the Taiwan scene choosing to focus mainly on cargo and passenger transport as the market partition.  

By the way, that baby French toast, served as my breakfast dessert, I munched on along the way while visiting this architectural site this morning!