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3.

On Wednesday night a curious incident happened at about 1 a.m.
A passenger steamer (river) ran into us on the Port Bow carrying away the port
lower boom. Everyone turned out of his hammock and really thought we were
attacked but after a bit of fooling around in the darkness she disappeared. We were
soon asleep again but not for long. We had hardly got to sleep when there
was another collision and the same confusion ensued. This time it was a junk
run against us, but after a diggings of a row among the chinese on the boat she
was soon cleared.

Next morning we glided down the river coming to attention
every time we passed a war ship. As we passed the "Undaunted" we stopped
to take signals. She said that we were to proceed to Wei-Hai-Wei on the
way to Taku and as there was a typhoon raging outside we were at liberty to
return if we thought it too rough. We came to anchor at 4 p.m. just inside the
mouth of the river and at 6 a.m. next day got under way & arrived at Wei-Hai-Wei
at 7 a.m. on Sunday 30th.

Anchored within 150 yards of HMS Terrible. They signalled us
inviting Captain and Officers aboard to see the ship and to lunch, after which we
were to leave at 1.30 p.m. for Taku, which we did. We sighted Taku at 1 p.m.
on Monday 1st October and a fine sight it was. There were about 60 vessels,
men of war and troopships stretching across the gulf, forming a line it would
have been impossible to pass without going within about 50 yards of one of
them. We fired a salute of 15 guns for the Admirals, and came to the
anchorage close to the HMS "Centurion" about 12 miles from Taku. The "Centurion"
and another of HM Ships got under way at 5 p.m. leaving orders for us
to proceed to Chang Quang Twa next day at 4 p.m. (Tuesday).

We sailed at the appointed time & arrived there at 7.30 p.m. on
Wednesday October 3rd. I steerred her into this place, the first port we have
entered when I was at the wheeel. We anchored close to HMS "Dido" and
she signalled us to send half of ships company ashore armed snd equipped
at once. B company were fallen in and had their accoutrements provided, 150
rounds of ammunition served out to each man and 2 launches came to
take us ashore. We steamed alongside the Admirals' Yacht and the Captain
went aboard and when he came back the first order he gave was "Full speed
for Taku" which made every man that was picked, mad.

We left Chang Quang Twa at once (about 11 AM) and arrived in the
Taku anchorage again 10 that night so we are still here (4th) waiting for
orders. On Sunday October 7, we coaled ship out of the flat collier
"Ashmore". We put 75 tons in 6 hours. Admiral Seymore signalled
"coaling well executed". On the 8th Admiral Seymore came aboard & inspected
us about 3 o'clock and at 5 we weighed anchor and sailed.