Gunboat on the Yangtze: The Diary of Captain Glenn F. Howell of the USS Palos, 1920-1921

by Glenn F. Howell

Overview

Captain Glenn F. Howell kept a detailed account of his activities in China for 62 years. His journals now make up 202 leather-bound volumes--one of the largest sources in existence, perhaps the largest, of servicemen's observations of service in China during that country's struggle to oust one power and come to grips with a new one between World War I and II.

This work presents Howell's diary from June 6, 1920, to September 23, 1921, during which time he commanded the naval gunboat USS Palos on the Yangtze River. First comes a biography of Howell, an overview of Chinese history from 1800 to 1920, and a history of the United States military involvement in China during those years. Howell's time as commander of the USS Palos is divided into three sections. Preceding each, the editor comments on the nature of the upcoming diary entries. Howell covers a range of topics, including the Chinese people, various important locales (e.g., the Three Gorges), making official visits, (his first as a captain), officer-enlisted man relations, opium, the steam navy, people who influenced him (S. Cornell Plant and Captain Joseph Miclo, skipper of the Meitan), missionaries and other foreigners in China (including U.S. military retirees), and "trackers" (China's human beasts of burden.)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786412327
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	09/03/2002
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	198
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Glenn F. Howell served two full tours of duty on the old China Station in the interwar period. Dennis L. Noble is retired from the United States Coast Guard. A former librarian and adjunct college professor, he lives in Sequim, Washington.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments    
Preface    
Introduction    

PART 1: Wanhsien [Wanxian]–Shanghai (June 6, 1920–November 8, 1920)    
PART 2: Shanghai–Shanghai (November 9, 1920–May 22, 1921)    
PART 3: Shanghai–Hankow (May 25, 1921–September 23, 1921)    

Epilogue    
Appendix 1: The Last Cruise of the Palos    
Appendix 2: The Crew of the Palos June 1920    
Appendix 3: Published Writings of Glenn F. Howell    
Bibliography    
Editor’s Military History    
Index    

Editorial Reviews

excellent”—Catholic Library World.

From the Publisher

excellent

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