CO129-308 - Public Offices - 1901 — Page 325

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The following marks are reliable guides as to the height of water over the rocks at the dangerous places:

1. The lower basement of the Cantonese Guild House at Kuei-hsien just covered, and

2. On arrival at Lei-kung Hsü, if the nearest rocks at the foot of the steps directly below the town-gate are covered, the "Sandpiper" could proceed, and the more water over these rocks plus 24 feet would indicate the draught of a vessel that could proceed with tolerable safety.

The water continued to rise on the way to Nanning, where we arrived at 10 P.M. on the 17th June, but had reached its greatest height the next morning, and when I sailed at 4 P.M. on the 18th June had fallen over 6 inches. On leaving, all the Chinese guard-boats fired a gun salute.

We caught up the fall before anchoring at 8 P.M., but a further considerable fall took place during the night; this we again caught up, and recrossed the Rapid with about 1 foot more than coming up. On this occasion there did not seem so much difficulty, and except for the sharp turns I had no trouble. The water has continued to fall since arrival at Wuchow.

I do not see any way of improving the passage over the T'ai-t'an without great cost, and when the water is low there are many other bad places where a steamer of sufficient size to make a profit would have some difficulty. I consider steamers could run up to the Rapid for about eight months, and there trans-ship into junks or steamers above.

Pilots. I cannot speak too highly of the pilots. Their knowledge of the river was excellent, and in every case the information they gave me of the position of rocks and depth over them was correct. They were the same men I had last year, and can be obtained through His Britannic Majesty's Consul, Wuchow, or Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co., Wuchow.

The total pilotage amounted to 365 dollars. Coal.-Coal was sent up by junk on free pass. Dress Ship-On arrival at Nanning dressed ship overall, and the ship's company gave three cheers for His Majesty the King.

Officials.-The officials having been notified by the Viceroy at Canton were most civil and attentive.

Attached are the accounts of the visits paid (Inclosure No. 2).

Inclosed is a copy of Mr. B. Twyman's Report, with which he has kindly furnished me (Inclosure No. 3).

My best thanks are due to Mr. Twyman, who was of the very greatest assistance. He worked very hard to gain information for me about the river which much facilitated matters.

Ship's Company-The ship's company carried out the hard work cheerfully and well.

Engine-room Staff-The Engine-room Staff were specially to be commended for the manner in which they kept steam, and the general working of the machinery, as being shut up while negotiating the Rapids could not have been pleasant.

Weather. The weather experienced was much cooler than on the lower river, and fine, and the health of the ship's company was good.

Watermark, Wuchow.-On return to Wuchow the watermark showed 35 feet.

Inclosure 2 in No. 1.

I have, &c. (Signed)

H. C. CARR.

Report by Lieutenant-Commander Carr on a Journey to Nanning-fu.

First Interview at Nanning-fu in Taotai's Yamên.

3 P.M. on the 17th June, the day of arrival at Nanning, I went, accompanied by Twyman, to call on the Taotai, who is a pale, studious-looking, polite, but very nervous man, and comparatively young for the post he holds.

His surname is Feng and his full name Feng Hsiang Jung, son of Feng Tzu Ts'ai, Commander-in-Chief in Yunnan Province.

He received us very politely, giving greeting both in foreign and Chinese fashion. He also sent a boat and chairs to meet us with a guard of eight soldiers each, and on entering the Yamên there were salutes and music.

The Taotai received us in a clean and neatly-arranged Yamên, and after the usual compliments had been exchanged the following conversation took place:

Commander Carr.-I have been instructed to bring His Majesty's ship "Sandpiper" to Nanning, and having arrived, naturally lose no time in calling in order to enter into relations and convey the compliments of his Excellency the Admiral, with a view to cementing the "entente cordiale.”

Taotai. I hope the journey has been without unpleasant incident.

Commander Carr.-Except for the Great Rapid (Tai-t'an), the navigation of which is very difficult, everything has been satisfactory.

The Taotai was at first very nervous. He is an opium-smoker and seemed in indifferent health, and we furnished the greater part of the conversation.

His advice was asked as to the possibility of obtaining information respecting commercial matters. He replied that that was not difficult-information could be obtained from the Cantonese Guild and the Magistrates' Yamên.

When Mr. Twyman asked about the Pacification Edicts, he said he had been furnished by the Governor at Kuei-lin with copies of the earlier editions, which had been duly posted, but that he had received no instructions about any corrected or second editions of these documents.

The Taotai has been in Kuanghsi for twenty years altogether, and for two years at Lung-chow.

He said that troops had been sent from Nanning to quell the Kuei-hsien rising, and that a telegram had recently been received to say that the rebels had been dispersed.

Concerning the Langson-Lung-chow Railway and proposed extension to Nanning the Taotai said it had been completed practically as far as the Chinese border, which is at Nan-kuan (Namquan), but that no work had been commenced on the Chinese side of the border, although the survey had been made as far as Lung-chow.

When asked about the famine of last year the Taotai said it had been at Pôse, but not at Nanning, and that the prospect of the crops for this year was very promising.

We then took leave, and proceeded to call on the Prefect, but found he was away, so sent a letter and cards to his Yamên.

(Signed) H. C. CARR.

Second Interview at Nanning-fu on board His Majesty's ship "Sandpiper," June 18, 1901.

The Taotai wrote to say that he desired to call at 8 o'clock; in reply I asked him to make it a little later, and proposed 9:30.

At 9:45 the gunboats fired three gun salutes, and one of them shoved off in which the Taotai was seated.

Upon his approaching he was saluted with guns by His Majesty's ship "Sandpiper," and the Chinese ensign hoisted.

When he arrived on board seats were taken at the table on the forecastle. After the usual compliments had been exchanged, the Taotai explained his not being in full official costume, saying that this day was the anniversary of a former Emperor's death. He had intended to call on the following day, but hearing that the ship was starting back the same day, had taken the present opportunity.

I expressed pleasure at receiving the Taotai's visit, and said I regretted not being able to stay longer, but that it was absolutely necessary to take the present opportunity of high water to recross the T'ai-t'an, in order not to be left above for a long period, perhaps even for the whole winter; and the water was now falling.

Taotai-In going down the Great Rapid will it be necessary to steam, or can the ship drift over?

Commander Carr.-It is necessary to steam in order to keep steerage way on and so have control of the vessel in the current.

The Taotai inquired about the possibility of steam navigation on the river.

Commander Carr.-There are some rocks at the foot of the steps leading to Lei-kung Hsü below the Rapid. When they are completely covered by water it is possible for a ship like the "Sandpiper" to proceed. An additional foot of water above these rocks would indicate that a vessel with an additional foot of draught could get over.