Complex sentence: The division reached Far Eastern waters in early April 1885, too late to take part in active naval operations, but some of its ships took part in the continuing French blockade of the Yangzi River between April and June 1885.
Split into simpler sentences: The division reached Far Eastern waters in early April 1885. It arrived too late to take part in active naval operations, but some of its ships took part in the continuing French blockade of the Yangzi River between April and June 1885.