he'll leave England in the sailing ship Hispaniola.

[kadioguy]

[In the novel Treasure Island, originally by R. Louis Stevenson, retold by Rjhon Escott, from Oxford Bookworms Library]

Young Jim Hawkins lies asleep in his bed, dreaming of treasure and adventures at sea. In few days' time, the dream will come true. With his friends Squire Trelawney and Doctor Livesey, he'll leave England in the sailing ship Hispaniola, and start the long voyage south to Treasure Island.

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What is the difference in meaning between (a) and (b)?

a. ... he'll leave England in the sailing ship Hispaniola ...

b. ... he'll leave England by the sailing ship Hispaniola ...

 

[jutfrank]

Forget about b.

The normal preposition there would be on.

 

[kadioguy]

Forget about b.

The normal preposition there would be on.

But we say "I'll leave here by bus". :-?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

But we say "I'll leave here by bus". :-?

Use by to tell people the type of transportation. Use on to refer to one bus (or ship or whatever). If you know which bus, say on the bus. If you don't, say on a bus or by bus.

 

[jutfrank]

But we say "I'll leave here by bus". :-?

It depends on the meaning. You could also say I'll leave here on a bus in the right context.

We use by when we want to express the general means of transport:

by car
by rail
by helicopter
by ship

The writer of the passage isn't talking about a means of transport.

 

[probus]

The normal preposition there would be on.

Nowadays yes, but in the days of sail in was probably more common than on with vessels. I haven't researched this; it's only a personal impression.