USA > Maine > Genealogical and family history of the state of Maine, Volume I > Part 100
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After many centuries of hermit existence, Japan had, in accordance with the treaty made by Commodore Perry in 1854, opened the ports of Hakodate in the north and Shimoda in the west to American trade. Foreigners were not permitted to visit other than open ports. Both Hakodate and Shimoda were un- important villages, and the latter was soon destroyed by an earthquake. In 1859 the im- portant ports of Nagasaki in the south and Kanagawa, better known as Yokohama, on an arm of Yedo Bay, were opened to foreign commerce. No other ports were accessible at
the time of the arrival of the "Iroquois" at Nagasaki, and the Japanese of all classes were living in the same manner they had for cen- turies. The government of Japan had agreed to open the ports of Osaka, Hiogo and Kobe, the two latter two miles apart and sixteen miles from the former, located on the inland sca, January 1, 1868. To Kobe the "Iroquois" proceeded, and on the appointed day fifteen American, English and French men-of-war were there present. At noon the ports were declared open, salutes fired, ships decorated, etc. An American consulate was immediately es- tablished on shore, and traders commenced at once to land with their goods from merchant ships which had assembled in readiness. The inhabitants of these ports had never before seen white people, but the lower classes were friendly and courteous. While the "Iroquois" was at anchor off Osaka, in company with three other American men-of-war, on January II, 1868, Rear-Admiral H. H. Bell, U. S. Navy, commander-in-chief of the American Squadron on the Asiatic Station, together with his flag lieutenant and ten seamen, werc drowned while crossing the bar at the mouth of the Osaka river, by the capsizing of their boat. The admiral was at the time attempting to reach Osaka in order to take leave of the American minister previous to sailing for home.
Soon after the ports of Osaka, Hiogo and Kobe were opened, there were rumors that the powerful Daimios Satsuma, Choshiu and Tosa of the south, were opposed to the policy of the Shogun in opening Japan to foreigners. Satsuma's capital had been bombarded in 1863 by a British squadron on account of the mur- der of an Englishman near Yokohama by his Samarai. The town of Shimonoseki, on the straits of that name, in the domains of Choshit, was bombarded in 1864 by a combined squad- ron for permitting merchant ships to be fired on while in the straits.
At 5 a. m., January 31, 1868, a native boat came alongside of the "Iroquois," which was then anchored off Osaka. It contained three men all dressed as boatmen; one sculled the boat, and the other two appeared to be pas- sengers; the latter brought a note from the American minister to the captain. In effect the note stated that the bearers were distin- guished Japanese officials who asked for shel- ter for a brief period. At 8 a. m. the same morning, one of the Shogun's ships came in from Yedo, and the two officials left the "Iro- quois" and went on board. Subsequently it was ascertained that one of these officials was
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the Shogun; that Osaka was being invested by hostile soldiers from the south who had defeated his troops in the suburbs, and that he desired an asylum until he could take pas- sage to Yedo.
On February 1, 1868, all foreigners were ordered to quit Osaka, as their safety could not be guaranteed. The "Iroquois" took on board the American, Prussian, Italian and Dutch ministers, several foreign consuls, their secretaries, clerks, interpreters, servants, etc., also some legation guards who were Shogun men, and transferred them to Kobe; the Eng- lish and French officials took passage in their own ships. The following night the rebels took possession of Osaka, and thus began the "War of the Restoration," it transpiring that the Daimios of the south had undertaken to depose the Shogun and restore the Mikado to the power of a ruler de facto, which he had not enjoyed for seven hundred years. In this they were successful, although the war did not end until July, 1869, the last fighting taking place on the island of Yesso, near Hakodate, a portion of which was witnessed by the offi- cers and crew of the "Iroquois." The Shogun himself retired from office soon after the Osaka affair. declining to oppose the Mikado. Thus ended the Shogunate of Japan. Some of the northern Daimios took the matter up, however, and the war was really between the North and the South. Kobe was made headquarters of foreign officials and ships. Before the port was opened, a plot of land had been cleared and graded for use as a resident section for foreigners; it was known as the "Foreign Concession." Near it the Japanese had erected a large custom house. This was used as a residence by foreign legations. Marine guards were landed to protect it, and ships were an- chored near the shore in such a manner that their batteries commanded the town. A few days after Osaka was abandoned, February 4, 1868, a body of about two hundred Japanese troops, armed with muskets, swords and spears, from the south, marching through Kobe en route north, fired at some spectators on the "foreign concession"; only three or four were hit and they were not badly wounded; one was an American man-of-warsman. The legation guards charged these troops on the double quick, when they scattered and ran to the hills nearby. The prearranged danger signal was made at the consulate building, and all the ships present-American, English and French -landed infantry and artillery, took posses- sion of the town and surrounded it with troops. The following night about a half-dozen Japan-
ese steamers at Hiogo were captured by the combined foreign forces with practically on resistance, and taken to Kobe and held there under the guns of the ships; some of the steamers were armed. Four days later an offi- cer of high rank from the Mikado's forces at Osaka came to Kobe to treat with the foreign ministers and naval forces. It was then learned that the Japanese officer who had ordered his men to fire on the foreigners had done so be- cause the latter had not knelt and touched their foreheads to the ground when ordered, as the Japanese spectators had done. The foreign ministers demanded that this officer be executed ; this was agreed to, but a concession was asked and granted that he be permitted to commit hara-kiri instead, in order to save the honor of his family and prevent his estate from being sequestered. A few days later he committed hara-kiri, a witness from each na- tion represented at Kobe being present. The affair took place in a temple; the condemned officer was required to draw blood only to save his honor, which he did along the abdo- men with a sharp knife while kneeling. A knife for that purpose was usually carried by a Samurai on one side of his sword scabbard. A friend stood by him with a two-handed sword, and as soon as blood appeared, severed his head from the body with a draw-cut in the twinkling of an eye.
The seat of war advanced northward, and affairs about Kobe became more peaceful. The "Iroquois" was soon the only American guard- ship there. Near the end of February small- pox appeared among the crew, and she sailed for Yokohama, where the English had estab- lished a foreign hospital for contagious dis- eases. At this time the art of vaccination was unknown in Japan, and small-pox was prac- tically epidemic every winter. Many of the crew of the "Iroquois" had the disease, and three died of it; the officers escaped probably from the fact that they were vaccinated, as they were equally exposed with the men.
In the light of the present day, Japan hav- ing become a great nation, this bit of personal experience of Ensign Bradford in old Japan is of interest.
Ensign Bradford was promoted to master March 12, 1868. and to lieutenant March 26, 1869. It should be understood that no officer can, under the law, be promoted until he is pronounced physically qualified to perform all of his duties at sea by a board of naval sur- geons, and also until a professional board has pronounced him mentally. morally and pro- fessionally qualified. On February 19, 1869,
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Master Bradford became navigator of the "Iroquois." At that time the coast of China and of Japan were without aids to navigation, such as lighthouses, beacons and buoys ; charts were imperfect, and gales, especially in winter, were frequent. During the early autumn the much-dreaded typhoon was prevalent. The "Iroquois" encountered one of these fearful storms on the coast of Japan, between the entrance to Yedo Bay and the inland sea, Au- gust 20, 1869, and came near being lost. The navigator on that occasion received the special commendation of his captain for services rendered in saving the ship from being wrecked. Navigation duty in the China Sea was then particularly difficult. Both Chinese and Japanese pilots were skilful, however, and they were frequently employed when leaving or entering port.
At that time it was difficult to obtain good food in Japan. The natives lived almost ex- clusively on rice and fish, the latter fresh or preserved; the few additions to this diet were mostly in the way of relishes or sweets. They had not then, as they did later, learned to raise vegetables, fowls, cattle, etc., for foreigners. In China there was a fairly good market, but milk, butter and mutton were rarely obtained, and the era of canned food had not arrived. It was also impossible to travel much for pleas- ure, especially in Japan. Foreigners were not allowed outside of treaty ports without a permit from the government and the company of armed guards. Indeed, much of the time officers were required, when on shore, to wear their uniforms and carry revolvers.
On November 22, 1869, Lieutenant Bradford was transferred from the "Iroquois" to the flagship of the station, the U. S. S. "Dela- ware." The captain of the "Delaware" had been the captain of the "Iroquois," and it was at his solicitation that the lieutenant consented to prolong his service on the China station another year. The "Delaware" was a fine new frigate of large size, with full steam and sail power, and her handsome appearance, ex- cellent quarters, additional comforts and nu- merous officers and men made the change at- tractive. On November 29. 1869, the "Iro- quois" sailed for home. Lieutenant Bradford's cruise continued without material change ; the flagship in time of peace generally visits the most pleasant ports, and her officers have the most interesting experience.
At the close of the War of the Restoration, the Mikado removed his residence from Kioto to Yedo, and changed the name of the latter to Tokio. Yokohama, probably from its close
proximity to the capital, then became the favorite port of foreigners and foreign ships, and here thie flagship spent considerable time. Early in the summer of 1870 the "Delaware" left Japan and sailed south ; calling en route at Hong Kong, she arrived at Singapore on June 30. This is one of the most delightful towns in the cast to visit. It is the capital of the English Straits settlements and has a large official social circle. Although only a degree and a half north of the equator, a constant sea breeze prevents excessive heat ; the homes of foreigners are in the suburbs, their houses being built to guard against heat only, on small elevations and surrounded by handsome grounds. It is truly a land of fruit and flowers and perpetual summer. Here the "Delaware" awaited her relief, the U. S. S. "Colorado," Rear-Admiral John Rodgers, and finally, after her arrival, sailed for home Au- gust 22, 1870. She called at Cape Town, South Africa, and at St. Helena, both ports of much interest, and arrived at New York No- vember 19. At that time the Suez Canal had not been completed, and long ocean passages were made under sail. All were much pleased to learn that their distinguished commander- in-chief, Rear-Admiral Stephen C. Rowan, had recently in his absence been promoted to a vice-admiral. Lieutenant Bradford was de- tached from the "Delaware," December 5, 1870, and ordered to his home in Maine. Dur- ing the voyage home his health had failed, though he performed all of his duties. He thought that with rest and the bracing climate of Maine his health would soon be restored; on the contrary, it grew worse, and was no doubt due to his long exposure to the un- healthy climatic conditions of China. On Jan- uary 21, 1870, he was ordered to the Naval Academy as an instructor, but was obliged to ask that these orders be revoked on account of his physical condition. His health continu- ing to fail, he was granted indefinite sick leave March 18, 1871. In May, 1871, he was car- ried to the U. S. Naval Hospital at Chelsea, Massachusetts. Here the naval surgeons would not give any hope of recovery, but nevertheless after suffering many months and becoming very weak and emaciated, he com- menced to improve, with the result that his health was sufficiently restored for moderate duty, and, upon application, was ordered, Jan- uary 25, 1872, to Newport, Rhode Island, for instruction in torpedo service.
The successful use of torpedoes during the civil war indicated their probable use in future wars. For this reason the Navy Department
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had in 1869 established on Goat Island, New- port harbor, a Torpedo Station for experiment and instruction. The course of instruction in- cluded practical and theoretical work in elec- tricity, chemistry in its application to explo- sives, and torpedo warfare. Here Lieutenant Bradford remained on duty until his term of instruction was completed, October 1, 1872. The salubrious climate of Newport had been very beneficial, and he was then in robust health. It was his desire to go to sea, but he had performed his duties in such a satisfactory manner that he was retained as an instructor for the following term. This was completed June 30. 1873, and on July 17, 1873, he was ordered by the Navy Department to join the U. S. S. "Wabash," flagship of the European Squadron, as navigator.
A detail for duty in this squadron is usually regarded with much satisfaction, as it affords an opportunity to visit some of the most in- teresting parts of the world. Nothing unusual occurred until December. 1873, when the en- tire squadron was ordered to Key West, Flor- ida, to be held there in readiness for war with Spain over what is known as the "Vir- ginius Affair." The "Wabash" arrived at Key West, January 3, 1874. The differences be- tween the United States and Spain having been amicably settled, the ships of war which had gathered at Key West, about forty in number, were drilled in tactical exercises, tar- get practice. the use of torpedoes, etc., and then dispersed. The usual term of service of the "Wabash" at sea, without overhauling at a navy yard, having expired, the commander- in-chief, with his staff and senior officers, were transferred to the U. S. S. "Franklin," April 1, 1874, and with them Lieutenant Brad- ford. The "Franklin" returned at once to the European Station, and the cruise then went on as before. This ship was a very happy one, and service on her presented a great contrast to the hard duty on the China Station. In August, 1874, Lieutenant Brad- ford, owing probably to long continued duty in a hot climate, had a relapse of his former illness. The admiral, on the advice of the sur- geon, granted him indefinite leave for the pur- pose of recovering his health. Then followed a journey to the Italian lakes and Switzer- land. The rest, cool mountain air, delightful scenery and experience generally pleasing to the senses soon had its effect, and in six weeks he returned to his ship again well. A very in- teresting cruise to the Levant followed. At that time a cruise at sea for a lieutenant was usually of three years' duration : indeed, Lieu-
tenant Bradford had made one in the east of. four years. On April 14, 1875, he was unexpectedly ordered home for duty as an in- structor for the second time at the Torpedo Station. It was explained later that this or- der was owing to the difficulty in obtaining officers qualified for this duty. He reported at Newport, May 20, 1875. The importance of torpedo warfare and the scientific knowl- edge involved therein made it imperative that officers of the navy, especially those who had graduated from the Naval Academy before the sciences involved had developed, should become conversant with this new branch of their profession. Then followed a year and eight months of patient instruction and ex- periment, the former generally by lectures and the latter both laboratory and field work, mostly manual. Much care was necessary when experimenting with new kinds of ex- plosives, and the demand for results was so great that there was very little leisure time.
On December 18, 1876, Lieutenant Brad- ford was ordered as executive officer, or sec- ond in command, of the U. S. S. "Alliance," a new ship, fitting out at the Navy Yard, Nor- folk, Virginia. He reported for this duty on December 21, 1876. This was an especially good detail for an officer of his rank. The "Alliance" was commissioned January 8, 1877, but was not ready for sea until March 9, when she sailed for Lisbon, Portugal. She made a full three years' cruise on the European Sta- tion. Owing to the Russo-Turkish war, the first half of the cruise was spent almost ex- clusively in the Levant, with headquarters at Smyrna, but visiting the various ports from Alexandria to Constantinople, inclusive, look- ing after American missionaries and other American interests. During the summer of 1878 the ship went north as far as Havre, France, enabling her officers to visit the Paris Exposition of that year; she returned to the Mediterranean in August, however. During the summer of 1879 she went north as far as Stockholm, Sweden, and Revel. Russia, and visited all of the principal ports on the coast of Europe and some of Great Britain. The "Alliance" sailed from Villefranche, France, for home by way of Gibraltar and Madeira, October 16, 1879. The passage across the Atlantic was made by the southern route under sail. She arrived at Boston on December 8, and there found orders to proceed to Norfolk, Virginia, where she arrived on the 14th. At the time of this cruise it was customary to have a great deal of drilling with spars, sails, boats, etc. The "Alliance" was known in this
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particular as a "Smart Ship," and was rarely beaten at any form of exercise. Lieutenant Bradford was detached from the "Alliance" on January 2, 1880, and for the third time or- dered to the Torpedo Station as an instructor. After passing the necessary medical and pro- fessional examinations, he was promoted to lieutenant-commander, to date from November 30, 1878, the day his promotion was due.
The duty of Lieutenant-Commander Brad- ford at the Torpedo Station was much the same as before. In 1882-83, however, he was, without being detached from his station, as- signed to a large amount of board and special duty, viz. : on naval regulations, rates and pay of enlisted men; and on electric lighting of ships. On May 23, 1883, Lieutenant-Com- mander Bradford was detached from the Tor- pedo Station and ordered to the Navy Yard, New York, to superintend the installation of incandescent electric lights on board of the U. S. S. "Trenton." Although a few pas- senger steamers were then lighted by electric- ity, the "Trenton" was the first man-of-war in the world to be so lighted. It was believed for a long time that the shock of gunfire would break the delicate carbon filaments of incan- descent lamps, and for this reason the lamps of the "Trenton" were mounted on spiral springs. Subsequently it was ascertained by trial that these springs were not necessary, and that gunfire did not materially affect incandes- cent electric lamps. Lighting ships of war by electricity was an event of immense importance in connection with their efficiency and the health and comfort of the officers and crew. As kerosene and kindred liquids were never permitted to be carried by ships of war, there was no intermediate step between candles and oil for illuminating purposes and electricity. It is not too much to say that the huge, com- plicated battleships of to-day could not be effi- ciently maintained or fought without electric lights on board.
On June 22, 1883, Lieutenant Commander Bradford was ordered as executive officer of the "Trenton." She was at the time fitting out for a cruise, and considered the best ship in the navy. He then superintended her prepara- tions for sea in addition to the installation of electric lights on board. The "Trenton" was placed in commission September 18, 1883. On October 1, 1883, while the "Trenton" was still at the New York Navy Yard, Lieutenant- Commander Bradford was ordered by the Navy Department to Willimantic, Connecticut, to report on the efficiency of a Brush storage battery for electric lighting and power pur-
poses. This was the first report ever made to the department on this subject.
After various trial trips along the coast, the "Trenton" sailed December 1, 1883, for the Asiatic Station, via the Mediterranean and Suez Canal. The Corean ambassador to the United States and two of his attaches took passage in the ship on return to his own coun- try. At Marseilles, France, two electric searchlights, with dynamo and appurtenances, the first ever used in the navy, were installed on board under the supervision of Lieutenant- Commander Bradford. The ship arrived at Hong Kong, May 1, 1884, calling at the fol- lowing ports en route: Fayal, Gibraltar, Mar- seilles, Naples, Port Said, Suez, Aden, Bom- bay, Colombo and Singapore. Soon after her arrival, the "Trenton" proceeded to Japan and from thence to Corea to land her distinguished passengers. She became the flagship of Rear- Admiral John Lee Davis, U. S. N., at Naga- saki, Japan, June 30, 1884. It had been fifteen years since Lieutenant Commander Bradford left Japan, and the changes that had occurred and progress made in the meantime were to him simply a marvel; this was especially true in naval and military matters. During the War of the Restoration the navy of Japan was made up mostly of merchant vessels with im- provised gun emplacements. The officers were greatly deficient in knowledge of seamanship, navigation, gunnery and steam machinery, and the crews of ships were without uniforms or discipline. In 1884 Japan had good foreign built men-of-war that would have been a credit to any nation, also dock yards where modern ships were being built, officers and men were well dressed in neat nautical uniforms and well disciplined.
When war between France and China be- gan in 1884, the foreign neutral ships of war were stationed, by agreement of their respect- ive flag officers in command, at the various Chinese ports, to protect foreign citizens and their property from the lawless acts of Chin- ese mobs, so common in time of war. It fell to the lot of the "Trenton" to go to Shanghai in August, 1884. This is an exceptionally un- healthy port in summer, and after three weeks' climatic exposure there, Lieutenant-Command- er Bradford had a return of his former in- ternal catarrhal malady originally contracted in China, necessitating treatment at the U. S. Naval Hospital at Yokohama. He left the ship at Shanghai, August 27, 1884, and re- turned to her at Nagasaki, November 19, 1884. The rest, cooler climate and hospital treat- ment were so beneficial that he was able to
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again perform his arduous duties as executive officer of the Trenton. The cruise continued on the coasts of Japan, Corea and China until the spring of 1885, the ship then being at Hong Kong. With the return of hot and rainy weather, his health again failed, and he was in such a serious condition that a board of medi- cal officers recommended his transfer to the Naval Hospital in California. Under orders from the admiral, he sailed by mail steamer from Hong Kong, March 24, for San Fran- cisco. His departure from China was none too soon, as he was very ill en route. Upon arrival in California, April 19, he became an inmate of the Naval Hospital at the Mare Island Navy Yard. The fine climate of Cali- fornia, with its dry atmosphere, warm days and cool nights, abundance of flowers, home comforts and companionship and good medical attendance, soon had its effect, and he com- menced to improve. On June 25 he was transferred by order of the navy department to the Naval Hospital, Navy Yard, New York, where he arrived July 7, and from thence to his home in Maine. His health had so far improved that on August 27, 1885, he was or- dered to attend a course of lectures at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, on naval and military strategy and interna- tional law. From this duty he was detached on September 30 following, and ordered on special duty under the Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, for the purpose of prepar- ing a new book on naval regulations.
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