still more famous expedition to Korea under Hideyoshi at the end of the sixteenth century. This ancient navy, however, dis appeared without leaving any traditions.
The foundation of the modern Japanese navy dates from the last days of the Shōgunate, when a few young men were sent to Holland for instruction in seamanship, and the services of a small party of British naval officers and men, under the leadership of Commander Tracey, R. N., were obtained through the instrumentality of Sir Harry Parkes, then British minister at Yedo. This was in September, 1867. Five months later, the revolution which drove the Shōgun from his throne broke out, and the Naval Mission, as it was termed, was withdrawn, first to Yokohama, then home to England. During the troublous times that ensued, some of the greater Daimyōs devoted all their energies to military matters. One of them, the Prince of Hizen, eager to possess a navy of his own, engaged Lieutenant Hawes, of the Royal Marines, as gunnery instructor on board a vessed named the Ryūjō Kan; and this officer, who had an unusual talent for organisation, and who occupied himself, both on board the Ryūjō Kan and later on in other positions, with many matters besides gunnery and the training of marines, may be considered the real father of the Japanese navy. In the year 1873, when all storms were over and the Mikado had long been restored to absolute power, the British government lent the services of a second Naval Mission, headed by Commander Douglas, R. N., and consisting of thirty officers and men. A Naval College was built in Tōkyō, and instruction in all the necessary branches was seriously commenced, young officers and seamen being drafted off from time to time to the various ships, so as to constitute, as it were, a leaven by which a practical knowledge of naval matters should be spread. The drill was formed on the model of the English Naval Gunnery School, and the excellence of the system can be traced down to the present day. The second Naval Mission left Japan after six years' service. The Naval College was later on removed to Etajima in the Inland Sea, an Academy for senior officers was
