[Sidenote: 1869. April 1.] Pilot on board; we were ready for a further start up the river, but found I had been imposed on. The pilot had agreed to take us as far as Shi-show, but had not stated when he could take us on to I-Chang. As time was the only thing of which I had none to spare, I-Chang had to be given up. In September and October, I believe the _Rodney_ might be brought up as far as the first rapids. Swinhoe, the two surveying officers, Dawson and Palmer, and the two representatives of the Chamber of Commerce at Shanghai, had to be transferred to the _Faust_ and _Opossum_, and in exchange we received our navigating Lieutenant, Taylor. I doubt the Yang-tse being navigable except to a peculiar class of steamer, adapted to the purpose of ascending the rapids above I-Chang; but that need not prevent enterprising merchants establishing themselves, as the Russians have done for years, in the capital and large cities of the rich province of Se-Chuen; and they might establish a consul, but it is a question whether our relations with China are at present such that our consul and traders would feel secure without the protection of a gunboat. Regret not being able to accompany them farther, but having so much interesting work before me, ought not to be greedy. Having seen our friends take their departure in the _Faust_, we weighed anchor for our return, and were drifting down broadside on to the stream without room to go ahead, our stern close to the bank, which being of mud, I recommended backing into. Her head immediately paid off down stream, but my advice had been fatal to further rapid progress. Although no shock was felt, the rudder’s head was twisted and the rudder unmanageable. On examination, it was found we had to drift down. I did not like to upset the exploring and surveying expedition by sending for the _Opossum_, but determined on sending an officer to Hankow for the _Zebra_ to come up to Hankow. Nothing could have been more unfortunate than this event, or so completely adapted to upset the arrangements I had made during the short time I was likely to remain on the station. The hot season approaching, my anxiety to get to the northward was great. My galley, with Mr. Lee, took her departure at about 6 P.M. on a journey of 220 miles to Hankow, but with a strong current and the prospects of an occasional lift by sailing. [Sidenote: Apr. 2.]