360
Junks very numerous laden with wood.
Corn depot.
Moved on to the "Sha-lin-tien" Banks.
R. "Peh-tang-ho."
K.“Che-haon.ho.”
Bar.
16
About 3 miles from the mouth is an old 3-gun battery, with a breastwork for musketry. This commands 3 passages, viz., the main river, another passage from the seaward, apparently not much used, and, probably, too shallow for loaded junks, and a third shallow passage, only available for boats. After passing this battery the river becomes very narrow, in places not more than 50 yards at low tide. The channel is rather difficult to find.
There appears, however, to be 8 feet of water at high tide all the way up to the Corn Stores, which are about 6 miles up the river on the left bank, and are of considerable extent.
Here the junks unload, and the goods are carried inland. The junks, of which we saw great numbers, possibly 100, were principally laden with corn, or large fir timbers, some of very large diameter. The larger timber usually the shortest, probably on account of the difficulty of transporting more than a certain weight overland without timber carriages, which I have not heard of the Chinese having.
It is said that there is a town called "Laon-ting-shien," about 30 le higher up, and near the great road, and from this tower you can go by roads to any place.
The distance to Pekin is said to be 400 le, and to Tien-tsin 200 le. The river is said not to be navigable for junks above the Corn Depôt, which is about 6 miles from the mouth Here we met the two aides-de-camp of the District General, the same men we met at "Laon moo-kaon." They asked us where we were going next, and are evidently following us down the coast. Their presence prevented our obtaining any information.
In consequence of the Mandarin's following us we determined to move to "Sha-lin-tien," and correct rates of chronometers, and then move southwards, where it is important that we should land and get some information.
The Mandarin would lose sight of us, and if, on hearing of our being there, he moved down, we should probably have finished our work, and could up again ourselves, and give him the slip.
Reached Sha-lin-tien on 21st.
August 22nd.---Leaving Cruiser" with the chronometers to take sights, went down in Forester" until we sighted the Pei-ho Forts, as we wished to communicate with the Americans, if they were there. Found they had left.
Boarded a sea-going junk. Heard they had left 3 days ago, having been 20 days at Pekin.
The river at which they landed is called the "Peh-tang-ho," and the bar is not passable by junks, except at high water. Could get no news of our lost vessels. Returned in afternoon, and sailed next morning, and anchored off the mouth of a river.
23rd. Went up the "Che-kaon-ho" in boats. It is a tolerably deep river (12 feet); but with a bar across the mouth, and a narrow channel.
The bar has from 5 to 9 feet at high water; the latter only at springs. There were 7 feet at this time. H. W. at 3 P.M.
Pulling up to within about a 4-mile of the village of "Che-kaon," which is on the right bank we found a creek on the left bank, narrow, but with 5 feet of water in it, the tide being at the time low.
We pushed the boat in and landed.
17
The mud is hard, and supports the weight of a man well. The river is Nature of banks. here, at low water, about 300 yards from high-water level. The ground here is quite flat, and covered with a coarse sort of grass, and in spots (more particularly near the shore) corn is grown. This ground, apparently, is occasionally covered at very high tides. The ground in-shore looks flat and damp, but this is probably partly the effect of mirage; there are numerous cart-tracks leading Inland community. inland, so it is certain there must be inland communication.
About three miles up the coast is another village, called Ma-ping-kaon." "Ma-ping-kaon.” There is a dry road to it along the sea-shore, except in one place, where a creek about 160 yards wide has to be crossed. It is quite dry at low water, and never probably more than 2 feet deep; the bottom being very flat carts are driven over this; the country inside is flooded by this creek to a certain extent.
We were told at "Che-kaon,” that after traversing 20 le of this flat (which they say at very high tides is sometimes covered), you reach a good road by which you can go to “Tien-tsin” or “Tung-koo.” They appear to exaggerate Reported distances. the distances, calling it 400 le to "Tien-tsin," and 200 to the "Pei-ho."
Flats of hard mud run out from this river, and are dry at low water for a Extensive flats of distance of about 4 miles from the shore. The fishermen walk about on the mud and sand. mud with ease.
Near the mouth of the river, on the flat where we landed, is a great ridge of shells thrown up, and quite hard and dry, affording a very good spot to form men, or place temporarily stores or guns. There is perhaps a mile of this ridge, and 50 feet wide.
Che-kaon-ho" not
boats.
I don't think the river would be available for gun-boats, but there would be no difficulty in landing a light column with mountain artillery to recon- practicable for gun- noitre; and I believe the route to the Pei-ho Forts" would be found practicable for any force.
Should the mouth of the river be defended, the hard nature of the banks would allow of men being thrown on shore to turn the works. We were told that the river was not deep enough for boats for more than 20 le higher than the village, also that by going higher up you got further distant from the road. We were told that no river exists between this and the "Pei-ho."
Further information, which we got next day on board a junk, is much more credible. The distance to the Pei-ho" is said to be 100 le, and a small river intervenes, which is called the "Yen-ho," or Salt River, and receives its R. "Yen-ho." water from the "Pei-ho."
Measured a base of 2 miles on shore for survey of river mouth.
August 26th.-Sounded in gun-boats, saw no means of approaching within or 4 miles of the shore. The villagers have no boats and the fishermen inva- riably walk out to their nets sometimes 3 or 4 miles.
Steamed up to within 3 or 4 miles of the "Pei-ho" Forts; found there is no river of any size intervening, fancied we saw the "Yen-ho," alluded to above.
Forts.
The Forts were manned, and numerous banners hoisted on our approach.
August 27th.-Moved the vessel up to within about 6 miles of the "Pei-ho'
The coast appears quite the same.
Measured a base.
M
13
F
S
28th. Waded on shore. Boats can not approach nearer them than 600