408
see the immense possibilities of trade in Szechuen Province and beyond in Tibet. He became convinced that the only way to develop this was to find a way to bring steamers through the Three Gorges between Ichang and Chunking.
Little, still of the opinion that the Upper Yangtze could be navigated by steamships, made the passage in a junk from Ichang to Chunking in 1887. En route he carefully surveyed the main areas of risk and, on completion of this 400 mile journey, was even more sure that he was right.
He raised the money to build "Kuling," a stern-wheeler, built on the Clyde and designed specifically for service on the Upper Yangtze. She was shipped out to Shanghai in pieces and reassembled there. However, when she arrived in Ichang, the Chinese authorities would not let her proceed. Apparently the Chefoo Convention stipulated that Chinese steamers had to be the first to ply this section of the river. (This restriction was abolished after the Sino-Japanese War by the Treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895.)
In any event, Little had to abandon this attempt to realise his dream. "Kuling" was sold to Chinese owners at a vast profit and traded on the Yangtze up to Ichang for many years, but never beyond.
Not in the least deterred, in 1898, Little built a wooden-hulled, twin screw, steam launch named "Leechuan." Once again he made the passage from Ichang to Chunking. Apart from having to be pulled up the stronger rapids by trackers the trip was a brilliant success. (Trackers were Chinese coolies who lived in villages near the rapids on both banks. Several hundred would be employed to haul vessels up the rapids.) Unfortunately, being only 55 feet long and full of engine, "Leechuan" carried no cargo.
Heartened by his achievement with "Leechuan," Little returned to London in 1899 to raise money to build a vessel that could navigate the Three Gorges and carry sufficient cargo to make its service financially viable.
How Samuel Plant came to China
Little was successful in raising money to build “Pioneer." By the
408
see the immense possibilities of trade in Szechuen Province and beyond in Tibet. He became convinced that the only way to develop this was to find a way to bring steamers through the Three Gorges between Ichang and Chunking.
Little, still of the opinion that the Upper Yangtze could be navigated by steamships, made the passage in a junk from Ichang to Chunking in 1887. En route he carefully surveyed the main areas of risk and, on completion of this 400 mile journey, was even more sure that he was right.
He raised the money to build "Kuling," a stern-wheeler, built on the Clyde and designed specifically for service on the Upper Yangtze. She was shipped out to Shanghai in pieces and reassembled there. However, when she arrived in Ichang, the Chinese authorities would not let her proceed. Apparently the Chefoo Convention stipulated that Chinese steamers had to be the first to ply this section of the river. (This restriction was abolished after the Sino-Japanese War by the Treaty of Shiminoseki in 1895.)
In any event, Little had to abandon this attempt to realise his dream. "Kuling" was sold to Chinese owners at a vast profit and traded on the Yangtze up to Ichang for many years, but never beyond.
Not in the least deterred, in 1898, Little built a wooden-hulled, twin screw, steam launch named "Leechuan." Once again he made the passage from Ichang to Chunking. Apart from having to be pulled up the stronger rapids by trackers the trip was a brilliant success. (Trackers were Chinese coolies who lived in villages near the rapids on both banks. Several hundred would be employed to haul vessels up the rapids.) Unfortunately, being only 55 feet long and full of engine, "Leechuan" carried no cargo.
Heartened by his achievement with "Leechuan," Little returned to London in 1899 to raise money to build a vessel that could navigate the Three Gorges and carry sufficient cargo to make its service financially viable.
How Samuel Plant came to China
Little was successful in raising money to build “Pioneer." By the
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.