2-982-471 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sick and Wounded embarking at Hong-Kong on board the Steamer "Canton", [China], 1858. 'In relation to this drawing our Artist and Correspondent makes the following remarks: "In the Sketch of the Embarkation of the Sick I have shown the pier and the men being carried down on stretchers by coolies; then put on large boats, and thence on board the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-ship Canton, Capt. Randall commanding, chartered by Government. It is a beautiful steamer, and in her both men and officers go down comfortably, and are not crowded as they were in the gun-boats. This scene took place at sunrise, and was a very animated sight, as the different costumes looked well at that time in the morning, while in the day everything looks one colour - a white, hot dazzling light not giving much to gratify the eye. The boat in the foreground is a Whampoa sampan, every place here having a different style of building them. The sampan on the left is a Canton one...The pier is a nice place to walk on in the evening, and at that time is quite lively'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.