Yangtze Patrol

PD Image
Yangtze River, China.

The Yangtze Patrol was part of the US Navy's Asiatic Squadron. Under the unequal treaties the United States, Japan, and various European powers were allowed to cruise China's rivers and coastal waters, protecting their citizens, their property, and their religious missions.

The Yangtze is China's longest river. Ocean-going vessels were able to proceed as far upstream as the cities of Wuhan. Destroyers and Cruisers sometimes served in the YangPat. But the upper Yangtze, and the Yangtze's tributaries were patrolled by specially built river gunboats, like the USS Panay.

The USS Panay was the first American vessel to be sunk by Japanese forces during World War II.

• 

  First USS Monocacy.

• 

  USS Panay

See also

• The Sand Pebbles