Thanks
to the fact that nowadays more and more books are digitized we are able to read
books that are some times for decades no longer available for the public for
several reasons. That's quite a pity while these books contains useful
information while the archives are destroyed, incomplete or nor accessible. The
notes are added by me.
P.
63: “Under Captain Katendyke’s (1) direction, the Japanese were at that time
carrying out some extensive public works in the harbour. These principally
consisted of a machine-shop and foundry, with all the appurtenances necessary
for the building and repairing of steamers, which the Emperor had recently
determined on establishing at Nagasaki. For the last six months prior to our
arrival, the Dutch engineers had been engaged collecting machinery; a large
quantity had already arrived. The spot selected for the erection of the various
buildings is in a beautiful valley, sloping down to, and terminating at, the
left bank of the harbour, entering from seaward opposite Nagasaki. We observed
a boat-load of Dutch artificers and engineers cross to it daily, but had not
time to inspect their progress ourselves. It was calculated that two years
would elapse before the works could come into operation. A pier, several
hundred feet in length, and
p.
64: extending out sufficiently far to insure twenty feet at low water, was
being built immediately in front, and as a part of the establishment. In the
construction of this pier, the Japanese workmen, under Dutch direction, were
making constant use of a diving-bell and Nasmyth’s hammer.(2) Japanese are
allowed to enter these works as apprentices, in order to perfect themselves in
engineering and mechanics, and so strong are their acquisitive propensities,
where knowledge is concerned, that several princes have sought and obtained
permission from the Emperor to place themselves under instruction, and are to
be seen daily at the works, busily engaged at the lathe, the vice, or the
forge, as the case may require, while others may be found in the drafting-room,
preparing the necessary drawings for the various departments. Besides this,
there has been for some years a naval school. By accounts we have received from
Nagasaki, dated April last, we learn that an Imperial decree has been received
from Yedo, directing that the naval school be removed from Nagasaki to the
capital, the Government believing that their officers have attained such
proficiency in navigation as to enable them to dispense with further
instruction in that department. This conclusion appears to have been arrived at
from their screw steamer Yedo having lately made a successful passage from
Nagasaki to Yedo in nine days, unaccompanied by any foreigner. The school of
engineers, however, above alluded to, is still to be continued, as well as one
of
p.
65: medicine and surgery, which has been for some time in existence, and very
well attended.”
Source
Laurence
Oliphant. Narrative of the Earl of Elgin’s Mission to China and Japan in the
years 1857, ’58, ‘59. London, vol. II, 1859.
Notes
1.
This must be Willem Johan Cornelis Huijssen van Kattendijke (The Hague 22
January 1816-The Hague 6 February 1866), his father Jan Willem was between
1841-1843 minister of foreign affairs. Being an officer in the Royal Dutch Navy
Willem arrived 21 September 1857 with the steamship Japan built for account of
the Bakufu and which ship was later renamed Kanrin Maru. Until the transfer in
1859 of the naval school from Nagasaki to Tsukij was he responsible for lessons
in for instance navigation and gunnery. Later he became minister of naval
affairs in the period 1861-1866.
2.
This must be the Scottish engineer and inventor James Hall Nasmyth also spelled
as Naesmyth, Nasmith and Nesmyth (19 August 1808-7 May 1890) who developed the
so-called steam hammer when the Great Western Steam Company asked him in 1838
to make a sufficient forge-hammer. His invention was used all over the world
for instance in Egypt. See for instance on this weblog the note “A British
steam hammer made by Naismith to solve the problems in Egypt”.
