The Mikado's Empire/Catatan dan Apendiks/Angkatan Laut dan Perniagaan Laut

NAVY AND MERCANTILE MARINE.

In the mercantile marine are now about one hundred steamers, of various rates and tonnage. A considerable number of these are small steamers, plying in the rivers, on Lake Biwa, and along the coast. The coast- trade of Japan and a steam- line to Shanghae, China, are now controlled by Japanese capital, bottoms, and crews, with foreign sailing-masters in many, but not all, cases.

The navy is organized on the English model, and a commission of English offi- cers and seamen have been engaged for several years as assistants and instructors. There is also a marine corps, and a naval college, in which several hundred young men receive a thorough scientific and technical education, besides a schooling on training-ships. The Navy Department, also on the British model, has a hydro- graphical office, which has made surveys of the coast of Japan, and executed very fine charts and hydrographic maps. The largest navy-yard, dry-docks, foundries, and ship-yards are at Yokosuka, about twelve miles below Yokohama, and are un- der French superintendence. Admiral Akamatsu and several of the higher naval officers were educated in Holland, others at Annapolis, or in England. The musi- cians of the imperial navy aud marine corps play the music and tunes of Europe and America.