ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the British decision finally to seize the islands surrounding Port Hamilton. Henry St John, the captain of the survey vessel, HMS Sylvia, which had worked off Korea, was also concerned that Russia was seeking an alternative port to Vladivostok, so 'Port Hamilton ought, in anticipation of such an event, to be taken possession of by ourselves'. The first entry in the log of the senior officer at Port Hamilton was written in 16 April, and it recorded that the harbour had been occupied by Her Majesty's ships Agamemnon, Firebrand and Pegasus. However, O'Conor felt that Japan could be set aside and China would not act, as it was not prepared for war with Russia. O'Conor summarised the Chinese position thus: In the end, China did work to secure an agreement that Russia would not step into Geomundo upon Britain leaving, and this guarantee enabled the British to abandon the islands.
