A gripping, firsthand account of mid‑19th‑century Far East exploration and naval surveying.
This nonfiction draws from a Royal Navy officer’s records to illuminate coastlines, early dispatches, and chart work on Asia’s distant shores.
William Blakeney records forty years ago’s surveying service in the China Yellow and Japan Seas, and along the Korea and Manchurian coasts. This edition weaves narrative with maps, sketches, and period drawings to bring to life life aboard ship, dangerous crossings, and the men who kept ships and slices of coast clear of danger.
- Experience life in the navy through a civilian officer’s eyes, beyond battles and briefings.
- Follow voyages up the Yangtze and along Formosa, Korea, and Manchuria with practical hydrographic detail.
- See how early charting and reconnaissance shaped empire‑era operations and diplomacy.
- Enjoy illustrations and drafts that complement the narrative with authentic period imagery.
Ideal for readers of naval history and maritime exploration who want a clear, grounded view of survey work in the Far East.