“‘A. She was received by the Prince of Kagoshima, at Nagasaki, July, the first year of Genzi.’
“‘Q. What is her present name? When was her name changed?’
“‘A. At the present this ship has no name in the consequence of out of use, but after procured by the Kagoshima Prince the name of Beagle was changed into Kenko Kan.’
“‘Q. Do you know how old this ship is, and what she was used for by the British Government before the Japanese got her?’
“‘A. She was actually used during twenty-three years, after which she was put out of use, having been constructed at Liverpool, and we can not know what she was applied for before got by Japan, but she remained more or less than one year in England.’ (Darwin made his famous voyage in her from 1831 to 1836.)
“‘Q. What is the name of the captain who had charge of her after she became the property of the Japanese Government?’
“‘A. Commander Sadakumi Shiba was appointed the acting captain February, 2d year of Genzi; Commander S. Hamataki, from December, 5th year of Genzi; Commander M. Omura, from November, 10th year of Genzi; Commander Sadakumi Shiba, from December, 11th year of Genzi; then the last was dismissed on the September, in the 14th year of Genzi.’
“‘Q. In what capacity did the Japanese Government use her from the time she arrived up to the time she was dismantled?’
“‘A. She was rated as the fifth class at the November, 4th year of Genzi, then the fourth class May the 8th year.’
“We found Yokosuka, and our party were shown every courtesy by the Japanese naval officials; so at last we ran down the Beagle, lying on the shore and showing not a vestige of her proud, historic self. She was being torn to pieces, and the parts were sold for ‘old junk.’