3-011-331 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Pekin, one of the European-Chinese Squadron, leaving Chefoo, Shantung, 1864. 'Chefoo Bluff; Green Island, Stick-up Rock; The China; Island of Kung-Kung-Tau; English naval stores; H.M. gun-boat Insolent...The squadron remained at Chefoo waiting the arrival of the Commodore [Sherard Osborn, Captain R.N.], from Peking, to which place he had gone immediately on his arrival in China, to confer with Prince Kung relative to the future movements of the squadron. On the 13th of November the Commodore returned with orders for the whole force to be broken up and certain ships to return to England, the remainder to proceed to Bombay to pay off, and their crews to return home. Our Engraving shows the Pekin leaving the island of Kung-Kung-Tau (Chefoo)...the men of the China and the Insolent (her Britannic Majesty's gun-boat) stationed at that island, manning their rigging and cheering. Nothing could exceed the kindness of the Toutai of Chefoo, and, in fact, of all the Chinese, during the two months the ships were at Chefoo. The heartiest good feeling existed between Lieutenant Nicolas, R.N., and his crew in her Majesty's gun-boat Insolent with both the officers and men of the European Chinese Naval Force'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.