An item referred to the French newspaper Le Pays dated
8th reporting that the embarkment in the sea harbours of the troops
for the China expedition was executed orderly under enthusiasm of the
population.(1) The preparations continued. Captain Martel went towards England to take
over the command of the steam transport European bought for French account. From
there he was bound for Lorient
where she was to be fitted out. A similar ship the Roeser was also bought for
French account and it was decided to buy a third one. These transports fitted
out with 1-1.250hp steam engine was to transport each 8 of the 24 gunboats with
their crews, armament and steam engines towards China. There were the with iron
armour protected gunboats used for service on the rivers. The European was to
load the first eight which were to be completed within a month and depart
before the end of January 1860 towards China. To arrive at the same time
as the sailing troop transports which departed earlier was she forced to steam
instead of sailing. The experiments with the armament of the gunboats had been
excellent causing high expectations of the service in China where the
would form a separate division commanded by naval captain Bourgeios. He was to
be joined by two other captains with a special mission. Two naval
administration officers were to serve in Shanghai
and Macau. Further more were shipbuilding
engineers en survey engineers also sent towards China and was the especially taken
care of the medical service.(1)
Note
1. During the so-called Second Opium war 1856-1860 in which England and France were allies.
