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CHAPTER XIV. 



FIRST ASCENT BY STEAM. 



Feasibility of steam navigation in Szecliuan — Account of the first ascent 

 of the Yang-tse rapids by steam in 1898 — Remarl<s. 



In posing the question of running steamers to Chung-king, 

 I wrote in 1887, in the original edition of this book, words 

 which are equally applicable to the position of affairs to- 

 day : — 



" The navigability of the Upper Yang-tse by steam has often 

 " been called in question, and assuredly any one who has care- 

 " fully perused the preceding journal will agree that it is no easy 

 " matter. At the same time I am decidedly of opinion that, if 

 " the necessary conditions are fulfilled, there is no insuperable 

 '' difficulty in the way. These conditions are : A powerful 

 " steamer, easily handled, and of a draught of water not exceed- 

 "ing that of the present junks. In looking myself into the 

 " matter, I found that nearly all the junk losses occur in the 

 " upward voyage ; scraping along the rocky shore, with often 

 " insufficient towing power, they are unable to contend with the 

 "powerful eddies, and are thrown against the rocks, when holes 

 " are quickly knocked into their weak, untimbered sides. A 

 " steamer, keeping clear of the shore, would not be exposed to 

 " these risks, and where necessary she could feel her way up as 



