The he-sho, launched in England in 1867, is also retained as a gunnery tender at the present day. She is a small gunboat of 320 tons, carrying one 7-in. Armstrong M.L. and one 5½-in. Krupp B.L.
Some other early Japanese ships may now be referred to.
The Nisshin was built at Amsterdam, and ordered, probably, previously to the Civil War.
| Tonnage | 1470. |
| Material of hull | Wood. |
| Armament | One 7-in. M.L. |
| Six smaller M.L. | |
| Speed on trial | 11 knots. |
| Single screw, swan-bow, barque-rigged corvette. | |
The Amagi of the same period was built in Japan. Particulars of her are:—
| Tonnage | 526. |
| Material of hull | Wood. |
| Armament | One 6-in. 2½-ton Krupp. |
| Four 4¾-in. Krupp. | |
| Horse-power (nominal) | 720. |
| Speed | 11 knots. |
| Screws | One. |
In appearance she more or less resembles the foregoing.
She was followed by the Seiki, also built in Japan, and famous in her way, because she was the first Japanese ship to make a voyage to England. Particulars:—
| Tonnage | 857. |
| Material of hull | Wood. |
| Length | 200 ft. |
| Beam | 30 ft. |
| Draught | 13 ft. |
| Armament | One 6-in. 2½-ton Krupp. |
| Four 4¾-in. Krupp. | |
| Horse-power | 1270. |
| Speed | 11 knots. |
Save that her stern was sharper, she was, to look at, much like the Amagi. She is now removed from the Japanese Navy list.