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employed in the attempt to make the passage of the
Upper Yangtze from Ichang to Chung King, a reference
to the correspondence on the subject will shew that
my Lords have consistently laid stress on the fact
that these gunboats were to act simply as the pio-
neers of commercial navigation, by demonstrating if
possible the feasibility of making the passage.
Beyond this it was never contemplated that the
functions of the gunboats in question should extend,
until que experience had been obtained of the naviga-
tional difficulties of the river, in which the ques-
tion of the suitability of those boats for the Upper
waters of the Yangtze was necessarily involved..
The attempt to make the passage made by the "Woodcock"
in April 1899 afforded much valuable information on
both points, and it is hoped that this may be so far
supplemented by the attempt which is now taking place
as to enable a definite opinion to be arrived at.
While my Lords are anxious to meet Lord Salisbury's
wishes in this matter, it is manifestly impossible to
come to a decision until the further report has been
received, and it becomes clear whether or not the
"Woodcock" and "Woodlark" are shewn to be efficient
for this particular duty, and if not, whether a vessel
can be designed that would combine the speed and power
necessary to dispense with the services of trackers at
all or any of the rapids, with the general conditions
of build indispensable for the navigation of those
waters.
The "Woodcook" and "Woodlark", together with six
other gunboats of a smaller size, were provided in
1897, in compliance with a representation made by Her
Majesty's Goverment. They were designed for river
service in various parts of the globe, and are per-
vice;
fectly efficient for what is recognised as such ser-
but the ascent of the gorges of the Yangtze, a
very special undertaking, was not contemplated by Her
Majesty's Government so far as Their Lordships are
aware, when in furtherance of the general policy of making provision for river service, these boats were
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