WITH THE CHINESE NAVY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 152, 23 December 1911, Page 9 (Supplement)

WITH THE CHINESE NAVY.

A diverting account of experienced with the Chinese navy was given recently to the Sydney Sun by Mr. H. G. llarmer, civil engineer and architect, who lias filled important positions under the British Admiralty, and was until lately in the Chinese Imperial service. Last' year lie was recommended by the British Minister to join an Imperial Commission for selecting a dockyard and naval base for the Chinese Admiralty. 'Die other members of the Commission were Admiral Sail, K.C.M.G., Captain Wing, and Captain Hugh, R.N., who was then a na\jal officer and nautical surveyor for the Chinese Government. Mr. Harmer's expariences are of considerable interest in view of the failure of the Government's warships against the rebels. In the course of his work on the Commission, Mr. Harmer had a trip on a Chinese flagship, an old converted merchantman. "The captain, a senior man in the service, holding rank as postcaptain, had until a few years previously been a school master. Through influence ho had been given the position he then held. Owing to the august presence of his commander-in-chief, he felt somewhat nervous of doing too much night work. Consequently we dropped anchor directly t'he sun set. "In inspecting the ship's battery Captain Hugh noticed that various important parts of machinery were missing. As it would have been dangerous to have suggested straight out that they were, imperfect, he asked the Admiral how often he had gun practice. The Admiral did not know, so called the senior lieutenant, who wasn't sure, but thought about eight months back. "Did you use these guns ?" asked Captain Hugh. "Yes," replied the lieutenant. Captain Hugh then bet the Admiral 20 dollars that he couldn't fire a shot out of the guns. The Admiral was a sport, and accepted the wager. 'Beat to quarters. Man guns!' was the order given. After a few minutes the captain came' back and said, 'Excuse me, sir, we have no ammunition.' 'What the devil do you mean?' thundered the Admiral, to which the captain replied that a mistake had been made at the arsenal, and the wrong pattern of ammunition had been supplied. Later a sailor came along with a sack containing 14 rounds of small ammunition, which comprised all the ship's stores. Fortunately one was a Hotchkiss, and the Admiral thought he was saved. The order was given to 'fire.' The lieutenant fiddled about for ten minutes, and was about to take all chances and explode the charge, when Captain Hugh intervened and pointed out that the breech was missing. If that gun had, been fired at least three men would have been killed.

"The next day, finding time hanging heavily on our hands, we strolled round the A.B.'s quarters. The post captain admitted that he had not inspected the quarters for twelve months. The state of affairs existing was simply appalling. Men had their families on board, and there was a heterogenous collection of pigs, fowls, baskets and babies, and the smell was most objectionable. The men were running round like a lot of lost sheep trying to catch the frenzied remarks of their officers, who were absolutely ignoraht of the positions supposed to be taken. On reaching Ninvrod Sound we prepared our plans and reports, and returned by a first-class cruiser. When about three miles off the Hen and Chickens rock we ran into a light sea mist, giving us only about one mile's, vision on the horizon. This we didn't like at all, and we noticed that the engines were continually stopping, so we went on deck. "There seemed to he a panic 011 the bridge, and the nautical surveyor of the Commission was asked to come up and help the captain. He found that the navigators had not the slightest knowledge of their position. The sun not being visible, they could not determine it in that way. Captain Hugh asked the Chinese captain how often he 'swung to compasses,' meaning how often he checked the accuracy of the instruments by swinging the different points. This i 3 a daily routine in the British naval service. The Chinese captain said he had only swung to compasses once in four vea'rs. Where's your chronometer?'asked Captain Hugh, 'ft won't work,' 'said the Chinaman! It dawned on us at this moment that this might be our last trip. Eventually the boat was got out of danger bv the English officer. It turned out that they never heaved the lend, because the only lead on board bad been stolen.