Lot 1726

1841 (22 Mar) China Expedition Mail on board H.M.S Alligator, An entire letter marked “China Expedition” written by Robert Mckenzie on board H.M.S. Alligator to his wife in Portsmouth; marked “China Expedition” and rated “8” in black ink. On the flap with “SHIP LETTER” cachet and Portsmouth arrival c.d.s (OC 9 1841). This letter was sent by a Boatswain, which is a warrant officer in Royal Navy and responsible for rigging, anchors, sails, maintenance of deck equipment. H.M.S. Alligator was a 28-gun sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy that took part in the early stages of the First Opium War. In 1839, it was stationed near Canton to protect British interests as tensions escalated. In 1840, it joined the British expeditionary force and played a supporting role in operations along the Chinese coast, including the capture of Chusan in July, where it assisted with troop landings and logistics. Before recalled back, H.M.S. Alligator was finally present in British fleet movements toward the Peiho River and Taku area in 1841.

中國遠征郵件，寄自英國戰艦“鰐魚”號 (H.M.S. Alligator)，1841年3月22日 這是一封完整的信件，由羅伯特·麥肯齊在H.M.S. Alligator 上寫給他在樸茨茅斯的妻子，信上標記為「中國遠征」，並用黑色墨水標記「8」。信封蓋有「船信」戳記及樸茨茅斯抵達日戳（1841年10月9日）。這封信是由一位名為「Boatswain」（相當於英國皇家海軍的軍官，專責桅杆、錨、帆及甲板設備維護）的人員寄出的。 H.M.S. Alligator 是皇家海軍的一艘28門六級巡防艦，參加了第一次鴉片戰爭的早期階段。1839年，它被駐紮在廣州附近，以保護英國利益，因為當時局勢日益緊張。1840年，它加入了英國遠征軍的行列，並在中國海岸的行動中扮演支援角色，包括7月在定海的攻占行動，協助部隊登陸及物流。在被召回之前，H.M.S Alligator 最後參加了1841年英國艦隊向白河和大沽地區的行動。