HMS SCORPION
For basic information regarding this gunboat click here.
A very rare photograph of HMS Scorpion at Shanghai on May 19, 1939.
I must comment on the difference in appearance of HMS Scorpion in the two
photographs seen above. The first has a bridge that is pointed and open
and the second has a bridge that is very square, flat and enclosed. My
initial reaction to these photographs was that the image seen off Shanghai
was a mis-identification of one of the four Locust Class gunboats, at least
one that featured a pointed and open bridge. There is one problem with
this theory, the spacing of the "banisters" (stairway-like banisters)
placed along the deck and reaching up to support the second level. The
Locust Class vessels had "banisters" at twice the distance of
that of HMS Scorpion. This crucial factor leaves no doubt that, despite
the difference in appearance, both of the photographs seen above are of
HMS Scorpion.
I recently discovered an excellent website, The Royal Nay in China, which has a great shot of HMS Scorpion here.
A shot of the Kiangyin boom. In order to impede Japan's use of the Yangtze
during their attempted conquest of China, the Chinese created booms (sunken
vessels and mines) across the river. HMS Scorpion was never able to proceed
very far up the Yangtze due to these booms.
