The navy of Cochin China in 1856

For years was in the Netherlands a magazine published dealing with maritime affairs. It published in 1857 a news item, originally published in the Monitor de la Flotte dated 28 December 1856. According to this item ordered the government of Cochin Chine the fitting out in the capital city Hué of Hoé of a maritime expedition against China with the purpose of landing troops. The expedition was to be one of the largest ever in this part of the world. The navy of Cochin China consisted of about 1200 ships and vessels, divided in 3 classes: the real warships comparable with the European frigates and armed with 50-60 guns, the row/sail galleys used like the European flotilla vessels and the transports for troops and stores. The navy was divided in 3 divisions, each commanded by an admiral, with the supreme command by a Royal prince with the rank of high admiral. His flagship was the Menak-Khing-Sih (ruler of the seas), armed with 62 guns. Her masts and yards were gilded, while the sails had a band of white satin with golden fringes. Not alone at the yards in the capital city but also the banks of the river Hué were one large maritime arsenal. Approximately 100.000 labourers  were busy with fitting out the fleet. Rumours stated that the fleet was ready at the end of April. Cochin China was according to this article the largest sea power in East Asia. The city Hué had well fitted out arsenals and magazine reachable by a beautiful channel. There was also a well equipped gun foundry and an artillery museum with models of all guns used by the European powers. And there was a so-called naval model chamber with for instance paintings of the sea battles between emperor Gija-Long against his enemies.

Source
G.A. Tindal en J. Swart. Verhandelingen en berigten betrekkelijk het zeewezen en de zeevaartkunde. Vol 17. Amsterdam, 1857, p. 162-163. Digitized by Google. The article was earlier published in the Monitor de la Flotte dated 28 December 1856.