Folios 106-151: Correspondence regarding Takashima Coal, with a brief overview of...

Folios 106-151: Correspondence regarding Takashima Coal, with a brief overview of the content provided (folio 106).

Encloses letter (folios 107-108): George O Willes, Vice Admiral, Commander-in-Chief, HMS Vigilant at Kobe dated 26 June 1881 to the Secretary of the Admiralty, regarding the coal supply on the China station, highlighting a number of reasons and suggestions regarding the future supply of the coal.

Encloses letter (folios 109-111): Admiralty (signed [?]. Swainson), dated 7 October 1881 to Vice Admiral Willes CB, China, response to the letter regarding the coal supply of China station, agreeing with some of the points, advising on trials and experiments but opposing a contract with the Japanese company.

Encloses letter (folios 112-115): Admiralty (signed Robert Hall), dated 26 November 1881 to Vice Admiral G O Willes CB, China, additional response instructing how contracts for the supply of Japanese coal to China Station should be advertised and obtained. Printed forms have been attached to this letter (folios 114-115).

Encloses letter (folios 116-117): Rich [Richard] E Tracey, Captain, HMS Audacious, Chefoo dated 11 June 1883 to Vice Admiral George O Willes CB, Commander-in-Chief, reporting on trials of a mixture Welsh and Takashima coal (half-half).The 168 tons of coal were used that were taken on in January [1883] have been expended, showing evidence for very good steaming, moderate smoke and a 10 percent percentage of ash and clinkers.

Encloses letter (folios 118-119): C [Charles] P G Hicks, Commander, HMS Albatross, 35.14N 129.3W dated 9 June 1883 to Vice Admiral G O Willes CB, Commander-in-Chief, reporting on the trials on the mixture of Welsh and Takashima coal which includes a detailed notes by the Chief Engineer.

Encloses letter (folios 120-123): Russell S Pasley, Captain, HMS Champion at Singapore dated 2 April 1883 to Vice Admiral G O Willes CB, Commander-in-Chief, reporting on trails of the Takashima and Welsh Coal mixture, based on the coal supplied in December [1882], which includes detailed notes by the Chief Engineer.

Encloses letter (folios 124-125): Henry N Hippisley, Captain, HMS Cleopatra at Chefoo dated 14 June 1883 to Commander-in-Chief, China, reporting on the trials of the Welsh and Takashima coal mixture, which were taken on board at Hong Kong on 20 March 1883. The report mentions a good generation of steam, slight to considerable emission of smoke (depending on the speed), a moderate rate of combustion and about 12 percent of ash and clinker.

Encloses letter (folios 126-127): D Long, Captain, HMS Curaçoa at Yokohama dated 6 December 1882 to Vice Admiral George O Willes CB, Commander-in-Chief, reporting on the trials of a mixture of Takashima coal and Patent Fuel ('Atlantic'). Results are interpreted to contrast favourably with trials with British coal.

Encloses letter (folio 128): W [William] Stewart, Chief Engineer and G [Anstruther?], Captain, HMS Curaçoa dated 30 June 1883 to Vice Admiral G O Willes CB, Commander-in-Chief, reporting on coal received for trial on the HMS Curaçoa.

Encloses letter (folios 129-130): Edw [Edward] H Gamble, Lieutenant and Commander, HMS Espoir at Foochow dated 25 June 1883 to Vice Admiral George O Willes CB, Commander-in-Chief, reporting on the mixture of Takashima and Welsh coal, the opinion of the replacement engineer is not favourable.

Encloses letter (folio 131): John A Lemon, Chief Engineer, HMS Fly at Singapore dated 9 March 1883, reporting on the mixture of Takashima and Welsh coal (equal parts), showing that it works very well on board the HMS Fly.

Encloses letter (folios 132-133): E Barrett, Acting Chief Engineer and Lieutenant Commander Richard F Hoskyn, HMS Flying Fish at Salée River, Corea [Korea] dated 8 June 1883 to Commander-in-Chief, China, reporting on the mixture of Takashima and Welsh coal.

Encloses letter (folios 134-135): J [John] M McQuhae, Lieutenant Commander, HMS Foxhound at Amoy dated 11 October 1882 to Vice Admiral Willes CB, Commander-in-Chief, reporting on the mixture of Takashima and Welsh coal, which was picked up on the 9th of July [1882] and preformed below expectations.

Encloses letter (folio 136): W Clive, Chief Engineer and [?] Commander, HMS Kestrel dated 26 November 1882, reporting on trials on board HMS Kestrel with Takashima and Welsh coals mixed in equal proportions. The experiments were undertaken between 6 and 26 of November 1882.

Encloses letter (folio 137): S G Full [?…], HMS Lily at Hong Kong dated 16 November 1882 to Vice Admiral G O Willes CB, Commander-in-Chief, reporting on the mixture of Takashima and Welsh coal on board the HMS Lily.

.Encloses letter (folios 138-139): M Corbett [?…], HMS Linnet at Chefoo dated 14 June 1883 to Vice Admiral G O Willes CB, Commander-in-Chief, reporting on the mixture of Takashima and Welsh coal.

Encloses letter (folios 140-141): William M Seall, Chief Engineer, HMS Pegasus at Chefoo dated 15 June 1883 to Commander A K Bickford, HMS Pegasus, reporting on the mixture of Takashima and Welsh coal, which was taken on board on 8 April [1883].

Encloses letter (folios 142-143): John Watson, Chief Engineer, HMS Sapphire at Nagasaki dated August 1883 to Captain, John R T Fullerton, on the mixture of Takashima and Welsh coal on board the HMS Sapphire.

Encloses letter (folios 144-145): Jos [Joseph] A Smith, Engineer, HMS Vigilant dated 12 May 1883 to Commander-in-Chief, reporting on the mixture of Takashima and Welsh coal (135 tons in total), which was taken on board 9 July [1883].

Encloses letter (folios 146-147): Harry Williams, Inspector of Machinery, HM Naval Yard Hong Kong dated 5 July 1883 to Commodore in Charge, reporting on the mixture of Takashima and Welsh coal, which assess the mixture as unsuitable when a rapid generation of steam is required. However, a ratio of 1/3 to 2/3 is being suggested to be better suited.

Encloses letter (folio 148): Vice Admiral Willes, Commander-in-Chief, China, dated 21 July 1883 to the Secretary of the Admiralty, submitting the reports from the trials to the Admiralty. Suggests that the ratios of 1/3 Takashima to Welsh coal should be used.

Encloses letter (folio 149): Admiralty (signed G Tryon), dated 12 October 1883 to Vice Admiral Willes CB, China, advising that based on the reports, the usual practice of 1/3 Takashima to 2/3 Welsh coal should be continued.

Encloses letter (folio 150): Harry Williams, Inspector of Machinery and [?] W Lobb, Storekeeper, HM Naval Yard Hong Kong dated 15 November 1883 to Commodore in Charge, reporting on the condition of the Takashima coal which was stored for a year at Hong Kong, which does not show any evidence of deterioration.

Encloses letter (folio 151): W H Cuming, Commodore, HMS Victor Emanuel at Hong Kong dated 19 November 1883 to Vice Admiral George O Willes CB, Commander-in-Chief China Station, submitting letters regarding the trails.