Description:

(2ND OPIUM WAR) WILLIAM ROBERT KENNEDY
(1838 - 1911) British admiral; Commander-in-Chief in East Indies (1892-95); Commander-in-Chief of the Nore (1900-01). During the 2nd Opium War he was present at the bombardment of Canton (1856), at the Battle of Fatshan Creek (1857), and at the attack on the Peiho Forts (1858). Collection of ten A.L.S.s and three incomplete A.L.s, each multi-paged, mostly 8vo., HMS Calcutta, Hong Kong, July 18, 1857 to Jan. 1, 1859, to his mother. Interesting content during the 2nd Opium War, in small part: "...As regards the 'Bells Life' being a vulgar & disgraceful paper…it is useful…as far as prize fights go…like the act of self defense…we are really going to sea…the [?] has gone to India with troops…lots of vacancies…in the Indian Army…sail in a day or two for Japan or somewhere in that direction in co[mpany] with Shannon [and] Pearl…the junks have been very quiet…feel myself the happiest…in this kingdom…I could work like a horse…with Gods blessing steady cheerful and contented…we shall have to wait at least 2 years…the delay is more than compensated by the 'Glorious News' …our orders for England have arrived…I expect the Liffey is to relieve us…Capt [William King] Hall is dancing about the deck…I am just going out for a picnic in the Heather Bell a yacht with a lot of our fellows…We have been laying here quietly passing over the hot weather…close cannonade…September is the most unhealthy…being the change of monsoon…covered with…prickly heat…we have heavy rains and squalls for about a month when the NE monsoon sets in and the winter commences…He brought in…one of his songs…has been abusing the Admiral…The old Admiral was loudly cheered…I have been amusing myself Snipe Shooting…I sent a box for you containing Japanese curios…no great value…The 'Fiery Cross' [British tea clipper]…a private Steamer arrived last night and she left for Singapore…The men are beginning to pick up again in health, for the last month we have had upwards of one hundred…We hear by the Fiery Cross of the Queen's visit to Cherbough and the ill feeling existing between the French and England. Hope we can keep on good terms till I attain the rank of Commander…lots of Promotion and prize money…Hong Kong is crowded with Shippers waiting for Cargoes. We generally have a few merchant shippers (Junkees in general)…We have an excellent band now…There has been a tremendous typhoon or whirlwind at Swatoco about 200 miles…up the coast. Of the 21 ships laying there, 11 were thrown up in the rocks and totally lost, and the rest were either driven out to Sea or foundered at their anchors…The vessels were all heavily insured…as we are going to leave here…I am going to pay off all debts…we are off for Singapore…The Mail Steamer 'Singapore' arrived last night after having nearly deposited her mails at the bottom of the Sea…making that copy of the Calcutta in a gale, also the attack on the Peiho Forts…What a glorious thing that junction of the attacks…I thought it would succeed from the fact of them trying so often…I see L[or]d Palmerston [Prime Minister] has reprimanded the attacks at Constantinople , because their dispatches smell strongly of tobacco…[astronomers] appear to expect a comet. For the last fortnight we have a most beautiful view of one, every night…the largest ever seen, with a splendid tail…I am still in the Calcutta and we are waiting the arrival of the marines to commence operations on Canton. I expect we shall have some sharp work, whenever it is finished if I am alive and flourishing I shall try to get home to pass those infernal examinations… We sail for dear old England on Saturday…For the last week…we have been in a mood of gaiety…This is an awful place…our troops are arriving in India…I should like to have a gunboat at that time…" He adds one hand drawn map showing the course a ship takes to get to Shanghai, also two nice sketches, one being a sailor holding a bottle and his mug.

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July 8, 2015 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

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