Chinese War Junks, 1870

Posted: June 20th, 2026 | No Comments »

Framed glazed oil paintings of war junks off the south China coast, 1870 by Commander Seymour Spencer-Smith (1841-1893). Spencer-Smith was stationed on the Royal Navy China Station at various intervals between 1869 and 1875 (by which time he attained the rank of Captain) involved in the suppression of heavily armed pirate networks in the South China Sea aboard the gunboat HMS Cockchafer, rampant a decade after the Second Opium War.

Seymour Spencer-Smith survived the Navy – serving on HMS St. Andrew during operations in Chinese waters and in command of HMS Rapid, only to die in a house fire at his Westminster home.

If anyone is able to identify the war junk flags I’d appreciate any information?

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