In Eastern Seas / Or, the Commission of H.M.S. 'Iron Duke,' flag-ship in China, 1878-83

The narrative recounts a ship's multi‑year commission to eastern seas, beginning with outfitting and farewell in home waters and proceeding via the Mediterranean, Suez, and stops across the Indian Ocean to ports in Southeast and East Asia. It combines voyage-diary passages—heavy weather, machinery failures, an alarm of fire, and an abortive overland attempt—with port sketches and observations of local customs in places such as Hong Kong, Japan, the Loo‑Choo Isles, and Corea. The author also describes squadron cruises, administrative routine and encounters at anchor, while appendices list deaths and distances run during the commission.