Page:Illustrations of China and Its People vol. II.pdf/45



THE site upon which Foochow Arsenal stands was formerly a piece of marshy ground. This spot, in 1867, when it was finally decided that an arsenal should be built, was raised a number of feet, so as to secure a solid and dry foundation. The work throughout was superintended by M. Giquel, a French gentleman who has shown his fitness for the duties committed to his charge in the undoubted success of the establishment which has been the result of his labours. This Chinese arsenal, or naval training school, as I might more correctly describe it, is to me a very great proof of modern progress in the empire, and marks the dawn of a new era in Chinese civilization. It is, indeed, a practical sign that some great change is at hand. Are we to suppose that the policy of exclusiveness remains unaltered, and that the arsenals at Foochow, Shanghai, Nanking, and Tien-tsin, are meant one day to provide for a great effort which shall drive the hated foreigners for ever from the Chinese shores ? or are they designed simply to furnish materials for the maintenance of order within the vast territories of China? Whatever the conclusion to which we come, the active work that is daily going on in such establishments clearly indicates that the Chinese have become aware that to study their ancient classical literature, or to con the maxims of their sages, is not the kind of education which will fit them to cope with their near neighbours, who are adopting the customs, arts, and sciences of the West. These arsenals are not the only signs that light is breaking in upon the long night in which the Chinese race seems to have been sleeping in the bony embrace of her dead philosophers, for this exclusive but sagacious people are not only educating their students in the foreign arts and sciences, but are sending them abroad to foreign universities, in the hope that they may bring back with them the secrets of Western power. The Foochow Arsenal is, as I have said, a school where students are taught theoretical and practical science, and where, under able European supervision, transports and gunboats are designed, built, and fitted with engines manufactured upon the premises. Here, also, students are taught to navigate these ships according to the rules of modern science, as well as to drill and discipline their officers and crews, just as is the practice in our navy.

I visited the arsenal in 1870, and was shown over the different departments. In front of the engineering shops there was a tramway and trucks to facilitate the transit of materials and work from one shop to another. These workshops were fitted with every modern appliance : great steam-hammers, planing and drilling machines, and lathes of every variety. I felt most interested in the optical department, where the men were engaged in constructing portions of chronometers, ships' compasses, and telescopes. Some were busy at brass work, and others at grinding and polishing lenses. They had not, however, got to the length of making the achromatic object-glasses used for telescopes; but, nevertheless, they were doing work which took me quite by surprise.

In front of the arsenal there was a patent slip for raising vessels broadside on to be repaired. This slip is capable of lifting ships of 3,000 tons.

The monthly expenditure at this arsenal is reported to be about £17,000.

This establishment does great credit to the Viceroy Tso, under whose rule it was built, as well as to M. Giquel, who has shown its uses by having already turned out several war steamers from the building yards.