Cruisng with the Asiatic Fleet

This fascinating travelogue was made in 1934, in the era when China was in the grip of the Imperial nations. America operated its own fleet of warships in Chinese waters, to protect American interests, especially the tankers belonging to Standard Oil. Shown in the film are various U.S. Navy warships and gunboats, and although none are identified by name the USS Augusta (CA-31), flagship for the Asiatic fleet, is clearly visible. Canton and Shanghai are cities visited during the course of the film, and the shores of the Whangpoo River. The sailors of the Asiatic Fleet, who by Navy standards lived easy lives (many routine tasks were performed by live-aboard Chinese), are seen in the film enjoying many sights, including Race Day.

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Too bad all the progress came to an end with the war years and then the constriction of the mao regime. At last in the past 30 years China has really begun to prosper on behalf of all its people. I am sure it will get even better. I met and interviewed a 97 year old man (Claud Davis) near my hometown some ten years ago. Claud was there with the Asiatic Fleet in the early thirties. Who knows, maybe he is in some of the shots !