Page:Tseng Kuo Fan and the Taiping Rebellion.djvu/178

Rh were set up in Siangtan to supplement those in Hengchow. Three types of boats were prepared, the largest being the k'wai-hai, the second the ch'ang-lung, and the third converted fishing boats each mounted with a small gun. To these three varieties were now added several tens of sampan and smaller boats.

By the end of February Tsêng's preparations were so far advanced that he was able to report to the emperor his intention to start for Hupeh at an early date. From this dispatch we learn that his entire flotilla consisted of one large flagship of the t'o-ku type, and 360 other vessels, of four kinds, all fitted to be used as gunboats:


 * 1) Forty of the k'wai-hai type, carrying thirty-six oarsmen and scullers and six others.
 * 2) Fifty of the ch'ang-lung type, carrying twenty oarsmen and scullers and six others.
 * 3) One hundred fifty of the sampan type, carrying a crew of ten.
 * 4) One hundred twenty remodelled fishing boats, probably manned as the sampans.

In addition to their crew each of these boats carried gunners.

It proved a difficult task to enlist the necessary marines for this water force, because, except for the river population accustomed to navigate these waterways of the interior, the villagers feared to venture on this new life, unaccustomed as they were to the winds and currents. When at last they were secured, Kwangsi gunners were