destroyed in the Sino-Japanese hostilities of spring, 1932, was one the best-known and most picturesque Jigures in China. He went to sea 68 years ago in a sailing ship and wax given his first command more than halt a century ago having already distinguished himself when, asa midshipman he took part. in" the British expedition to Magdata, Abys-Isinia, ted by Lord Napier. [Suez Canal was not then in exist Jonce most of the shipping arrange ments were made from India and tugs wore sent across from Calcutt Commander Davies was serving on merchant transport at that time and caught of the eye of Lieutenant Tryon, afterwards Admiral Tryon who was drowned in the ti-fated Victoria, and was appointed to the Aphrodite then in charge of traifie jon the Abyssinian coast, After this campaign, for which he was awarded the Mogdala medal, Commander Davies continued mercantile career and subsequently rose to be senior skipper in the Nippon Yusen Kaisha fleet, - com-Jmanding the Bingo Maru, which in day was the finest vessel of the [Japanese company's fleet, and in this feapacity he was widely admired and respected not only by his company but by oticers of other ships in the Far Eastern trade. Afler his retirement from the "N.K., he became Jmanager of the Grand Hotel, Yokohama, afterwards coming to' Shang hal where, at a later date, he was associated with the Astor House Hotel. During the Chinese revolition of 1911 ho was adviser to the Chinese navy under "Admiral Sah Cheng-ping. Later, he wai: Jattached to the Woosung naval school Jas Instructor.
Some years later, Commander Davies took over the' Forts Hotel, Woosung, a favourite rendezvous of many foreigners who travelled there over the week-end {o enjoy the refreshing air of the broad sweep of the Yangtze. Commander Davies, was not only an admirable host but interesting personality for _his stories of life at sea in other days were told with an emphasis and de-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.