Anchored off Kobe (_Salamis_), intending to go to Osaka in _Salamis_ on the morrow. Consul Enslie and the Governor of Hiogo visited the Duke of Edinburgh on board _Salamis_, _Ocean_ firing the Consul’s salute, _Galatea_ the Governor’s. Nothing could be more civil and attentive than all concerned were. Messenger sent to Osaka to prepare for the royal visitor: the Mikado’s residence placed at H.R.H.’s disposal. We landed and walked to the waterfall, where we found a guard and refreshment. The Prince much pleased with the scenery, he and Stanhope dining with us afterwards. [Sidenote: Osaka, Sept. 19.] Although the Sabbath, our time would not allow the deferring the visit to Osaka. The Prince and party were early on board, and by seven we were under way, with _Galatea’s_ steam-launch in tow. On anchoring off the bar we were immediately visited by the officials, placing a state and other government boats at the Prince’s disposal; the Governor coming off, but the tide falling, we were transferred to the Mikado’s magnificent state-boat. Before entering the river a royal salute was fired from the battery. At the settlement the Prince was received with a guard, and every possible respect. The houses closed by order on both sides: a mark of respect with which the Prince would rather have dispensed. Consul Gower had lunch ready, after which the Prince was taken, much against his will, sight-seeing; they rode to the castle and elsewhere. After another feed, returned to dinner on board _Galatea_. Just before reaching the anchorage, with position lights up and everything proper, we were most wickedly run into by a small iron Jap steamer, smashing the secretary’s dispatch-boat and our port spare-spar. Herself unhurt, beyond loss of bowsprit and spring of fore-masthead. [Sidenote: Sept. 20.] Damage done by Japanese steamer prevented sailing early. Carpenters of ships on board to clear away wreck. At 10 A.M. we weighed. Heard the last of old _Rodney’s_ band playing, “Cheer, boys, cheer!” as the crew mounted the rigging to the very trenches to give their departing old Chief three times three hearty cheers. _Ocean_ making signal “Farewell,” we led _Galatea_ through the Osaka Straits, intending to anchor for the night to the southward of the rock, our leadsmen on the paddle-boxes showing depth of water. However, in rounding to _Galatea_ took the ground. I joined H.R.H. on the bridge, not with the idea of interfering, but I wished to see him get his own ship off. His first idea was to send the lighter boats to sound in every direction. The shallowest water was that on which the ship had grounded. The boom-boats were got into the water: bower anchors prepared for laying out. I remarked that the B.B., hanging from the cathead, looked heavy. H.R.H., referring to his small watch bill book, had noted the exact weight and size of every spar, anchor, and boat on board. I asked no more questions.