3-011-429 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Vice-Admiral Kuper, C.B., Commander-In-Chief of the East India and China Station, 1864. Engraving from a photograph by M. Beato in Japan. 'Commander Kuper distinguished himself by his services in China...Participating in the naval operations at Canton, he was advanced to the rank of Post Captain and nominated a Companion of the Bath; and he brought home part of the indemnity in specie received from the Chinese Government...[He] was subsequently employed on the Pacific station, and rendered essential service by the judgment and temper he displayed in encountering the pretensions of the United States in reference to Vancouver Island and Columbia, and by the aid he afforded in facilitating the establishment of the former colony. Attaining the rank of Rear-Admiral at an unprecedented early age, and combining capacity for civil administration with naval experience, he was selected...for the highest and most important command in the service - that of the East India station, previously only conferred on officers of advanced life as well as distinguished services...Admiral Kuper had the grief, just before leaving this country to assume his Indian command, to lose from diphtheria, almost coincidently, two sons of great promise'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.