Collections : [Yale University -Yale Center for British Art]

Shek-Pai-Wan is a bay between Hong Kong and Aberdeen Island. The British were initially attracted to waterfall at Aberdeen because it was a source of fresh water supply. A short journey from Aberdeen, Hap-Lee-Chow (Ap Lei Chau Island) was an important maritime center. Temples (called "Joss Houses" by the British) were important places of prayer for local fishermen, who would give offerings to ensure plentiful catches (Ingham 142).

In his diary, Porcher describes the British barracks built on the 'Checkchu' (or 'Check-chow') peninsula (called Stanley) and at Siwan: "[A]fter a certain time, all the English troops were obliged to be called in in consequence of both places turning out so unhealthy, on account of the malaria rising from the valleys, over which both stations had been built, at present 12 and 15 men of the Ceylon Rifles under the command of Native Officers, having been left there" (Diary 3).

Depicts naval officers drinking and dining in the Elephanta Caves, near present-day Mumbai. Porcher may have looked to models such as 'The Temple of Elephanta': line engraving by James Phillips after painting by James Wales, based on an original drawing by James Forbes (Published London, 1790). Porcher's signature appears on the bottom left corner.

Porcher's image (or another version of it) was adapted for publication in the Illustrated London News, October 4, 1851, which reported an "Attack on Chinese Pirates by the Boats of Her majesty's Ship 'Cleopatra,'" (402). On June 24th, the Superintendent of the police received news that fishermen at Mir's Bay had been attacked by a fleet of junks led by "Shap-'ng-tchi" (Shap-ng-tsai, the infamous pirate). Captain Massie of the Cleopatra ordered the barge, cutter, and pinnace (manned by Porcher and Hon. C. Crofton) armed and deployed. When the pirate junks were sighted near Bias Bay, a five hour chase ensued.

As Porcher notes in his diary, Amoy (today called Xiamen) was the most important harbor in the province of Fujian and was dominated by foreign trade at the turn of the 18th century. The island of Kulang Su (Gulangyu), on the western side of Xiamen's harbor, was once occupied by British troops after the capture of the city in 1841 until it was restored to Chinese in 1845 (Nield 99). Its five British batteries are still visible in Porcher's view. In his diary, he expounds the strategic advantages of this location: "In case of another misunderstanding with the Chinese the island of Kulang-su would be well adapted for a settlement, the channel between it and Amoy being only 672 yards wide – the ridge of hills on the island being higher than those opposite. There are two distinct ridges which might be separately defended, the highest point being 280 feet above the sea. The island is principally granite, and the soil being formed of it in a decomposed state…. Fresh water from wells are plentiful, and artificial channels conduct it to boats" (53).

Whampoa was the way-station between Macau and Canton before the institution of the treaty port system. It was a popular subject among European and Chinese export artists, as foreign ships would anchor there before sending goods on smaller boats to Canton. A typical merchant ship's journey up the Pearl River Delta would first dock at Macau, then to Lintin Island, then travelling onwards through the estuary of the Bocca Tigris (Human), finally anchoring at Whampoa. In 1844, Chinese authorities proposed rules to prevent smuggling via Portuguese lorchas, requiring they bear registration numbers and report for examination. Lorchas had been involved in the importation of cannon for native insurgents and sometimes passed themselves off as British (Perdue, n.p.).

This view of Manila shows daily life in the bustling port city. The bridge is in the district of Binondo, an enclave of ethnic Chinese and the main commercial center amongst Chinese mestizos and Spanish Filipinos (Abinales 79).

On September 12, 1851, the HMS Dolphin was attacked in Maladu Bay by Illanun pirates. Captain Robertson and Supercargo Robert Burns (grandson of the poet) and the crew were murdered by pirates from Tunku. In response, the Cleopatra, Semiramis and Pluto were dispatched from Singapore on January 10th and arrived at Labuan by the 20th, sailing on to Mengatal to hold a meeting with local ruler Pangeran Madand about bartering with the Iranun (Illanun) Pirates and providing them a boat. A "Mr. Melrum" accompanied the diplomatic party to negotiate the repayment of a debt (see Porcher's diary, page 30). Porcher depicts the British crews firing a salute upon arrival at the Pangeran Madand's village.