Page:A Forbidden Land - Voyages to the Corea (1880).djvu/220

Rh considered. A sailing vessel could easily have been obtained, but as only very superficial surveys of the coast had been made as yet and no reliable charts existed, and as the approach to the coast was known to be extremely dangerous on account of the many shoals and reefs near the same, the idea of going by a sailing ship had also to be dismissed.

I now laid my plan before Mr. James Whittall, the managing partner of the largest British firm in China, with the proposal to join in the projected expedition and voyage of discovery. To this gentleman it is due to state, that only his spirit and liberality enabled me, by placing a steamer at my disposal for the purpose, and by smoothing the way of all remaining difficulties, to carry out the project in view. The fine steamer "Rona," Captain James Morrison, belonging to the house, had just been chartered for a voyage to Newchwang, and it was arranged that, in deviation from the direct course to her destination, the steamer should visit the west coast of Corea. Under these circumstances the time that could be allotted for this trip was very abort, as only five days could be spared for the same, which had to serve for reconnoitring purposes, preparatory to later expeditions. My object in the first instance was to discover and ascend the large river leading to the capital, and to enter into preliminary communication with the Corean authorities, with the view to open up commercial and friendly relations with the country. As the charts then known did not give the slightest