March 14th.
The Chinese firmly believed that the inner passage from Macao to
Whampoa was perfectly impenetrable to foreigners. To assist in
humbling their pride, Captain Elliot wished to have it forced; and
Captain Scott, senior officer in Macao Roads, agreeing with him, made
preparation for carrying it into effect.
At three A.M. on the 13th, Captain Scott, taking with him the
small-arm men and marines of the 'Samarang,' went on board the
'Nemesis,' which, towing the 'Samarang's' pinnace, mounting two
twelve-pound carronades, cutter, six-oared gig, four-oared gig, and
the 'Atalanta's' pinnace, mounting two twelve-pound howitzers, got
under weigh from Macao Roads, and proceeded over the flats between
Twee-lieu-shaw and Toi-koke-tow Islands, on the Broadway River.
At eight A.M. they came in sight of Macao fort, and the steamer
having taken up an infilading position, where not a gun of the enemy
could bear upon her, opened her fire, while the boats proceeded to
the attack. On their approach the Chinese abandoned the place.
Thirteen guns were found mounted, which were completely destroyed,
the buildings set fire to, and a train laid to the magazine, which
exploded before the boats returned to the 'Nemesis.'
On reaching Point How-Hoak-Tow, the river is divided into two
channels--that to the right takes a sudden sharp turn, and becomes
very narrow. Here was discovered the lately constructed
field-battery of Tai-yat-kok, strongly posted on rising ground on the
left bank of the river, surrounded by overflowed paddy-fields, which
infiladed the whole line of the reach leading to it. As the steamer
appeared round the point, the enemy opened an animated fire upon her,
which was smartly kept up. It was most effectually returned by the
two guns from the 'Nemesis,' which vessel threw her shot, shells, and
rockets, admirably directed by Mr. Edward Crouch, gunnery mate of the
'Wellesley,' whose firing Captain Scott describes as perfect rifle
practice. The boats advanced under the slight cover of the bank; but
before a landing could be effected on their flanks, the enemy
abandoned the guns, when the attacking party, passing in single files
by a narrow pathway, took possession of the work. The boats, after
destroying a military depot and chop-house on the opposite side of
the river, returned on board. Ascending a little way, nine war-junks
were caught sight of, to which chase was given. Just afterwards a
fort, called Houchung, was seen on the left side, from which strong
stakes had been driven across the river. The junks headed towards
the stakes, and the last had passed through, and the opening was
again closed before the boats got up. The enemy then set an example
of hostility, by firing from the fort and junks now under sail, which
was replied to by the 'Nemesis' with good effect. Meantime the boats
opened a passage through the stakes, one division dashing on to
attack the fort, and the other, gallantly led by Lieut. Bower,
against the junks. The first party, by wading the ditch and entering
the embrasures, secured the fort. The crews of the war-junks, on
seeing the fall of the fort, became so panic-struck on the approach
of the boats, that seven got on shore, the people jumping overboard
as they grounded--two junks only escaping. In passing on to cut them
off, Lieut. Bower was fired on by another fort, called Tie-shu-kok,
which he immediately attacked and took. During this time Mr. Hall
got the 'Nemesis' through the stakes, and after the fort and junks
were burnt, the two other junks were again chased: 21 guns were
destroyed in the forts, and 28 in the junks. At half-past three the
large trading town of Heong-shan was reached, built on either side of
the river. The houses and streets were crowded with people, looking
on at the steamer, and hundreds of trading-junks and other crafts
were packed close together along the quays, and full of people. The
steamer passed on without injuring any one, the inhabitants appearing
to be most peaceably disposed, nor in any way afraid. This state of
feeling had arisen from the efforts of Captain Elliot, and Mr.
Morrison and Mr. Thorn, the interpreters, who had taken every means
in their power to convince the people that the British were making
war on the government and the soldiers, and not on them. Several
mandarin boats, however, fled; but very soon one of the war-junks was
run on shore, her crew, who jumped overboard, finding that they could
not escape the steamer. She was at once boarded and blown up.
Directly afterwards another masked battery at Sheongchap was
discovered, stormed, and destroyed, by the boats' crews of the
'Samarang.' It now being six o'clock, the channel very narrow, and
the water shallow, the 'Nemesis' anchored for the night.
At daylight on the morning of the 14th, the steamer weighed and
proceeded through a channel not broader than her own length,
grounding occasionally, and at 7.50 reached the village and fort of
Hong-how. The latter fired, was stormed, the troops fled, and it was
blown up. After the crews had toiled incessantly for four hours,
aided by the natives, who willingly offered their services, a strong
line of stakes was removed, and the 'Nemesis' proceeded, taking only
one fort during the day, and anchored at six P.M. for the night.
Continuing her course at daylight, the 'Nemesis' reached the large
village of Tamchow, where a number of soldiers appeared, who were
dispersed; and afterwards she reached the town of Tsenei, near which
were three abandoned forts, and where she destroyed the custom-house,
as well as a man-of-war junk, mounting seven guns, which the crew
abandoned at her approach. At four P.M. the 'Nemesis,' after passing
some very beautiful country, reached Whampoa, having destroyed, in
conjunction with the boats, five forts, one battery, two military
stations, and nine war-junks, in which were 115 guns and 8 gingals.
During the whole expedition three seamen of the 'Samarang' only were
slightly wounded. Captain Scott speaks in high terms of Mr. Hall,
R.N., commanding the 'Nemesis;' of Lieut. William Pedder, R.N., her
chief officer; of Mr. Crouch, gunnery mate; and of Captain Larkins,
late of the Hon. East India Company's service, who acted as a
volunteer; also of Lieut. Bowyer, First of 'Samarang;' Lieut.
Maitland; Acting Lieut. Lysaught; and Lieut. Gordon, of the marines;
as well as Messrs. Noble, Parkhurst, Luard, Armitage, mates; Mr.
Tucker, second master; and Dr. Mackay, assistant surgeon.
By the expedition the Chinese learned that the British could pass
through their inner waters, notwithstanding any impediment they might
be able to throw in their way.