3-071-203 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The British Squadron off the Great Wall of China, 1881. 'The British naval squadron lately cruising on the coast of China, under the command of Captain East, H.M.S. Comus, was composed of that ship, the Encounter, the Curaçoa, the Pegasus, the Albatross, the Ely, the Mosquito, and Zephyr. On Midsummer Day, it anchored off the seaward end of the Great Wall of China. We are indebted to an officer of the squadron for two Sketches of this interesting subject. The famous wall, he tells us, is a great earthwork, revetted entirely with brick and stone on the outside. Though built two thousand years ago, it is in wonderfully perfect condition. The sea end is a large fort, which has of late been restored. This fort is manned by about two hundred Tartar soldiers, fine-looking men, with wretched muskets. The fort is partially armed with cannon, but no ammunition was seen. The commanding officer, a mandarin, received the British naval officers who landed with much civility...Our countrymen walked on the wall, rising to an elevation of 1200 ft., which commanded a wide view...The fort and the camp made a great display of silk flags'. From "Illustrated London News", 1881.