![[JOURNAL - ANGLO-CHINESE WAR 1857] The manuscript journal of W.H.C. Deacon aboard the troopship H.M.S. Transit dating from 4 April 1857, 118pp of text, 8°, bound in blue cloth (rubbed). A detailed and lively first-hand account of his eventful voyage to China to participate in the taking of Canton in 1857 and the subsequent Treaty of Tientsin in 1858 - on board the ship, a detatchment of medical staff, two companies of the 59th Regiment and three companies of the 90th Light Infantry under Lieutenant Colonel Stephenson of the Scotch Fusiliers.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2000/CSK/2000_CSK_08761_0070_000(011513).jpg?w=1)
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[JOURNAL - ANGLO-CHINESE WAR 1857] The manuscript journal of W.H.C. Deacon aboard the troopship H.M.S. Transit dating from 4 April 1857, 118pp of text, 8°, bound in blue cloth (rubbed). A detailed and lively first-hand account of his eventful voyage to China to participate in the taking of Canton in 1857 and the subsequent Treaty of Tientsin in 1858 - on board the ship, a detatchment of medical staff, two companies of the 59th Regiment and three companies of the 90th Light Infantry under Lieutenant Colonel Stephenson of the Scotch Fusiliers.
Deacon vividly describes conditions aboard ship and the wonders he sees on the voyage around the Cape of Good Hope and on to Java. On July 10 1857 the boat hit a reef and the crew were shipwrecked on Banera Island near Dutch-colonised Minto. He tells how the officers saved their own belongings first resulting in the men's provisions being spoilt, the privations on the island and help from the natives who gave food for shiny coins. They were eventually towed to Singapore and obtained fresh supplies from the East India Company, mentioning the arrest of a Chinese merchant for a plot to kill Europeans at Sunday church. From there, they sail to Hong Kong, and he gives a detailed and interesting description of the topography, the architecture and the people. He goes on to describe the bombardment and taking of Canton by the British in December 1857, Chinese atrocities and the fighting in which he was involved. Lord Elgin, Admiral Seymour and the French Admiral made a visit in January 1858.
He left Canton in April of that year, and travelled from Hong Kong in June aboard the H.M.S. Adventure, a voyage characterised by sickness and poor weather. An account of a journey on a gunboat up the Peiho River follows. He mentions the signing of the terms of peace and gives thanks for his deliverance, ending with his hopes for China, that she will become richer by commerce with Europe and will learn its manners and customs.
Deacon vividly describes conditions aboard ship and the wonders he sees on the voyage around the Cape of Good Hope and on to Java. On July 10 1857 the boat hit a reef and the crew were shipwrecked on Banera Island near Dutch-colonised Minto. He tells how the officers saved their own belongings first resulting in the men's provisions being spoilt, the privations on the island and help from the natives who gave food for shiny coins. They were eventually towed to Singapore and obtained fresh supplies from the East India Company, mentioning the arrest of a Chinese merchant for a plot to kill Europeans at Sunday church. From there, they sail to Hong Kong, and he gives a detailed and interesting description of the topography, the architecture and the people. He goes on to describe the bombardment and taking of Canton by the British in December 1857, Chinese atrocities and the fighting in which he was involved. Lord Elgin, Admiral Seymour and the French Admiral made a visit in January 1858.
He left Canton in April of that year, and travelled from Hong Kong in June aboard the H.M.S. Adventure, a voyage characterised by sickness and poor weather. An account of a journey on a gunboat up the Peiho River follows. He mentions the signing of the terms of peace and gives thanks for his deliverance, ending with his hopes for China, that she will become richer by commerce with Europe and will learn its manners and customs.