122 
FROM TORRES STRAIT TO HONG-KONG. 
tracts of land under cultivation. While in China and in India millions are dying of 
starvation, the most fertile portions of the earth lie in a state of utter unproductiveness. 
HON G-K O N G. 
By the time land was in sight the weather cleared up, and it was on a fine sunny 
morning that we steamed through the picturesque inland sea, bounded by high mountains to 
the north, which forms the approach to Hong-kong. At 2.15 p.m. the “Challenger” was one 
of the numerous fleet of vessels anchored in front of Victoria. Both town and harbour 
bore traces of a recent typhoon, which had been accompanied by great loss of life. The 
masts of sunken vessels were still visible above the water ; while patches of new tiles on the 
roofs, and repairs still in progress, showed that property on shore had also suffered 
considerably. A Roman Catholic church, newly erected in one of the suburbs, was reduced 
to a heap of ruins. 
Home-news received on our arrival at Hong-kong contained an item of concern to us— 
namely, the appointment of Captain George S. Nares to the command of the Expedition then 
about to start for the Arctic Regions. The exploring voyage of H.M.S. “Challenger,” 
commenced auspiciously under the very skilful and genial authority which had during the 
last two years directed our movements, was brought to a perfectly successful termination 
under the able control of Captain Frank T. Thomson, previously commanding H.M.S. 
“Modeste,” stationed in China. 
As the eye wanders over the line of stately buildings which stretches along the 
water-side and leans up against the steep slopes of Mount Victoria, the place suggests 
reminiscences of Gibraltar. Here on the confines of China, as at the gates of the 
Mediterranean, the energy of a northern race has turned a barren rock into a flourishing 
colony, provided with all the luxuries of modern life, traversed by fine roads, and adorned 
with tastefully laid-out public grounds. The east end of the town is chiefly inhabited by 
Europeans. It includes Government House, the Town Hall, and the English Church, and 
presents, especially when seen from the water, a very stately appearance. The west end, 
more or less in possession of the Chinese, is in that crowded and not over-clean condition 
so dear to the subjects of the T ien-tze. As one looks down upon the Chinese quarter 
fiom the piomenade above the town, which commands a magnificent view of the harbour 
and the opposite mountains of the mainland, a confused noise rises from the labyrinth of 
streets below like the hum of an immense bee-hive. 
A characteristic feature of the harbour of Hong-kong are the “ sampans,” small single- 
masted and paitially roofed-in boats, which form the only home of numerous Chinese families. 
Entire floating villages composed of sampans may be seen sheltering in the bays and creeks 
of the harbour, and it was principally amongst these that the typhoon of the 22nd September 
caused serious loss of life. A large number of such boats are employed as carriers, and 
foi keeping up communication between the shore and the vessels stationed in the harbour. 
