In Eastern Seas Or, the Commission of H.M.S. 'Iron Duke,' flag-ship in China, 1878-83   By: J. J. Smith

Iron Duke. Themis. Raiden. Kerguelen. Champlain. Modeste. Naezdnik.

H.M.S. IRON DUKE AGROUND AT O'KOSIRI.]

IN EASTERN SEAS; OR, THE COMMISSION OF H.M.S. "IRON DUKE," Flag ship in China , 1878 83.

BY J. J. SMITH, N. S.

DEVONPORT: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY A. H. SWISS, 111 AND 112 FORE STREET. 1883.

To my late Shipmates IN H.M.S. "IRON DUKE,"

The following pages are respectfully inscribed.

Those who voyage beyond sea change their climate often, but their affections never.

PREFACE.

To write something which shall please one's own friends is one thing; to undertake the task of pleasing anybody else is another; and, I take it, a far more difficult one. The writer of the following pages never sought to sail beyond the peaceful and well marked area of the first, until induced at the suggestions of his shipmates, though against his better judgment to venture on the dark and tempest swept ocean of the second.

The only originality claimed for the narrative is that of introducing such a manifestly inferior production to your notice.

Shipmates, my little bark is frail; deal gently with her, and let me ask it as a special favor do not blow too fiercely on her untried sails.

Much depends on the title of a book. Does it convey an adequate idea of the subject matter? I would claim for mine at least that merit; for is not every sea over which we have voyaged to the eastward of England?

CONTENTS.

Page CHAPTER I.

We Commission our Ship Visit Portsmouth Prepare to Sail 1

CHAPTER II.

Good by to Albion Southward Ho! Gibraltar 12

CHAPTER III.

Up the Mediterranean Malta 26

CHAPTER IV.

Port Said The Suez Canal Voyage down the Red Sea Aden 39

CHAPTER V.

Across the Indian Ocean Ceylon Singapore A Cruise in the Straits of Malacca 47

CHAPTER VI.

Sarawak Labuan Manilla Heavy weather 62

CHAPTER VII.

Hong Kong Some Chinese manners and customs 71

CHAPTER VIII.

Preparations for the North Amoy Wosung, and what befell us there 83

CHAPTER IX.

Arrival at Nagasaki Something about Japan A run through the Town Visit to a Sintoo Temple 94

CHAPTER X.

The Inland Sea Kobé Fusi Yama Yokohama Visit to Tokio 113

CHAPTER XI.

Northward Hakodadi Dui Castries Bay Barracouta Vladivostock 131

CHAPTER XII.

Chefoo Nagasaki en route Japan revisited Kobé Yokohama 146

CHAPTER XIII.

We attempt an overland route, with the result of the trial 159

CHAPTER XIV.

The new regime Something about Saigon The First Cruise of the China Squadron An Alarm of Fire! Arrival of Flying Squadron 181

CHAPTER XV.

Second Cruise of the China Squadron Principally concerning a Visit to the Loo Choo Isles and Corea Welcome news from home Conclusion 210

APPENDIX A. Deaths during the Commission i.

APPENDIX B. Table of places visited and distances run during the Commission iii.

CHAPTER I.

"We sail the ocean blue, And our saucy ship's a beauty."

WE COMMISSION OUR SHIP. VISIT PORTSMOUTH. PREPARE TO SAIL.