This chest belonged to my father Arthur John Hubbard M.D. b. 7th Nov. 1856, d. 3rd Feb. 1935. It was his sea-chest on a voyage to China and back in the old “Bellerophon,” as ship’s surgeon during the early 1880s. While in China he was given the curious Chinese plate shewing the Yan and the Yin, in the correct position, bringing good luck, by a Chinese family whom he befriended. The Yan and the Yin are usually in an incorrect position on articles designed for “foreigners” but this plate was designed for the Chinese.

Judith writes

I remember the Chinese plate that Frances mentions. It hung on the wall of the upstairs landing at her home in South Farm Road, Worthing. Sadly, it got swept up as part of the house clearance in 1977. As Frances and Doc were anxious about paying fees for the nursing home they were about to go to, nearly every object went. As it turned out they needn’t have worried.

Thankfully I was given the sea chest which was full of family history notes, papers and oddments which have helped form this website.

Arthur John Hubbard used the Yan Yin (also known as Yin Yang) symbol in his book Authentic Dreams of Peter Blobbs (1916).

Ship’s Surgeon

There have been various hints found in different bits of writing about Arthur John HUBBARD working as a ship’s surgeon. This is the nearest we get as to where and which ship. I am assuming Frances has the correct name of the ship.

There were at least three HMS Bellerophon ships.

Arthur John Hubbard would have been aboard the second or 1865 ship.

In the mid 1870’s he would be in his mid-twenties.

Disappointingly, searches for information on this ship fail to bring up a voyage to China.

Arthur John HUBBARD didn’t have Naval training, but he was listed as Assistant Surgeon with the London Rifle V. Brigade. Thus, he had some working military knowledge regarding wounds from firearms etc.. (See his entry from the Medical Dictionary of 1925.)

Was this voyage as ship’s surgeon just a ‘once off’ experience for him?

The chest is made of good quality soft wood - possibly pine. It is not too heavy and has carrying handles each end. Inside is partition for small items. It measures 76cm wide, 42cm deep, 36cm high.