William B. Cushing in the Far East : A Civil War Naval Hero Abroad, 1865-1869

Fresh from success in sinking the Albermarle in the Civil War, the young Captain Cushing was assigned to command the gunboat USS Maumee in Hong Kong to aid the restoration of America's naval power in Asia. By linking such aims to British policy, and by courting Chinese and Japanese officials, he succeeded in re-establishing American naval and commercial power in the Far East. In his letters to his fiancee, he brilliantly recorded his travels and observations of people and places (and the difficulties of reconciling his naval career with his devotion to her, whom he married in 1870). After Sinking The Albermarle In The Civil War, Cushing Commanded Uss Maumie In Hong Kong, Helping Restore America's Naval/commercial Power In The Far East. By Linking Such Aims To British Policy, And Courting Chinese And Japanese Officials, He Succeeded. In His Letters To His Fiancée, He Brilliantly Recorded His Travels Observations Of People And Places--provided By Publisher. The Challenge Of A Pacific Empire -- Cushing Embraces A Fredonia Sweetheart -- Route To The Far East By Sail And Steam To Match The Power Of Ocean Water -- Cruising On The Troubled Waters Of The Far East -- From Tropical Heat To Northern Turbulence -- Wandering Among The Crumbling Remnants Of The Celestial Empire -- Imperial Japan -- Surveying The Landscape And The Inhabitants Of Japan -- A Lingering Farewell To The Far East. Julian R. Mcquiston. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 217-219) And Index. Cover......Page 1 Table of Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgments......Page 7 Preface......Page 8 Introduction......Page 10 1. The Challenge of a Paci
fic Empire......Page 20 2. Cushing Embraces a Fredonia Sweetheart......Page 27 3. Route to the Far East by Sail and Steam to Match the Power of Ocean Water......Page 41 4. Cruising on the Troubled Waters of the Far East......Page 56 5. From Tropical Heat to Northern Turbulence......Page 92 6. Wandering Among the Crumbling Remnants of the Celestial Empire......Page 116 7. Imperial Japan......Page 138 8. Surveying the Landscape and the Inhabitants of Japan......Page 163 9. A Lingering Farewell to the Far East......Page 181 Notes......Page 214 Bibliography......Page 224 Index......Page 228