Shenandoah (1868): links, questions, comments, coordination, ...

[ggordon]

July 12

Arrived at Yokohama, Japan with the usual fanfare.

Fired a salute of 13 guns with American Ensign at the fore; which was returned gun for gun by the Flag Ship.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorag ... 12-038.JPG

The flag ship was the U.S.S. Piscataqua.

I was wondering what determined the number of guns used for the salutes. I found this web site that has a section describing the history of the number of guns to be fired.
https://www.seaflags.us/customs/trads.html

[Randi]

Great find!
Added to Resources for nautical and military terminology

[ggordon]

July 17 at Yokohama, Japan

4 PM to 8 PM

French Frigate "Minerve" & Portuguese Sloop - saluted the English Minister with 15 guns each, which
was returned, gun for gun by H.B.M.S. "Ocean." Dutch Sloop of War "Curacoa" fired a salute of 7 guns with Russian Ensign at the fore.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorag ... 12-043.JPG

No explanation as to why the Dutch ship was flying the Russian Ensign.

[Michael]

Maybe there was a Russian ship in port at the same time, and they hadn't been saluted by the Dutch before this.

[ggordon]

July 19 at Yokohama, Japan

Midnight to 4 AM

Loaded all pistols & revolvers & served out ten rounds of ammunition for muskets & carbines, also ten
rounds for Marine Guard; in readiness to prevent siezure of the Ram "Stonewall" by the Japanese.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorag ... 12-045.JPG

[Randi]

How CSS Stonewall became the Japanese Navy’s First Ironclad

[Michael]

[ggordon]

July 24 at Yokohama, Japan

The usual discipline problems while in port, but this one was a little more unusual.

8 AM to Meridian

Sent 2nd cutter on shore, on duty to American Consulate, in charge of Mr Oliver
11:30 Mr Oliver returned on board, stating that the 2nd cutter had left him on shore. Sent dingy in
charge of Mr Oliver to bring off 2nd. cutter.

No mention of how Mr Oliver returned to the ship if the cutter had left him on shore. The ship is anchored off shore.

1:30 PM

2nd cutter returned.
Confined Wm. Howe (Lds) for being drunk in 2nd. cutter; five days from 25th Inst. in double
irons; per order of Comd’g. Officer.
Mate Oliver was placed under suspension for intoxication.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorag ... 12-050.JPG

[Michael]

[ggordon]

July is complete. Ship has been in Yokohama for the past few weeks.

[Michael]

[ggordon]

August 3 at Yokohama, Japan

The French Ironclad Belliqueuse arrived, setting of the biggest round of gun salutes I've seen yet.

French Ironclad "Belliqueuse" Admiral's Flag at the Mizzen, came in & anchored. A salute of 13 guns,
French Flag at at the fore; was fired by each of the following vessels. Viz. The French Frigate "Minerve"
H.B.M.S. "Ocean." Dutch Sloop of War "Curacoa" & the Portuguese Sloop, which was returned, gun for
gun, by the "Belliqueuse," with the Nation Flags at the fore; after which she fired a salute of 13 guns
with American Ensign at the fore, which was returned gun for gun, by the U.S. Flag Ship "Piscataqua"
with French Ensign at the fore.

If I read this correctly, 130 shots were fired. At the time Japan was in a civil war over international influence on the country and opening to international trade. I would think all this firepower on display by foreign ships just off their shore would not help the situation.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorag ... 12-060.JPG

[ggordon]

August 15 Yokohama Japan

Happy Birthday Emperor Napolean!

8:00 AM

dressed ship with flags at main & American Ensign at fore and mizzen in honor of Emperor Napolean
Birthday. French Squadron fired a salute of 21 guns.

Noon

dressed ship from top galn't mast heads to lower yard arms in company with the Flag Ship & fired a
salute of 21 guns in company with all other men-of-war in harbor in honor of the anniversary of the
birthday of Emperor Napolean III.

Meridian to 4PM

French Flag Ship Belliqueuse fired a Salute of 9 guns.

Sundown

the French Men-of-War in the harbor fired a salute of 21 guns.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorag ... 12-072.JPG

[Michael]

[Randi]

Speak up. I can't hear you.

[ggordon]

August is complete. The entire month was in Yokohama with Navy ships from the US and several European nations.

Transcribing started slow this month due to a new writer keeping the log. He seems to have a unique style to his handwriting, adding lots and lots of extraneous flourishes extending outward, overlapping with adjacent words in all directions. However, unlike the previous writer, it was very easy to distinguish his 7s from his 9s. I'm gradually getting used to his handwriting now.

I'm getting tired of sitting in the harbor at Yokohama. I hope we move on soon.

[Michael]

I like it when they sit in port for days on end. Sorry...

[ggordon]

September 26, Hiogo, Japan

From Guard to guarded.

Placed John Smith (Prv.) in solitary confinement, on bread & water for five days, for neglect of duty
while on post over brig.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorag ... 12-114.JPG

[Randi]

[Michael]