August 26th.
No sooner was Hong Kong taken possession of by the English than its
population began to increase with the greatest rapidity, and in a few
months the large town of Victoria sprung up, and has since become the
centre of British commerce in that part of the world. In June, Sir
Gordon Bremer returned from Calcutta, and was appointed joint
Plenipotentiary with Captain Elliot; but on the 9th of August, both
were superseded by Sir Henry Pottinger, who came as sole
Plenipotentiary and chief superintendent of trade in China.
Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, by whom all subsequent naval
operations were conducted, came at the same time.
A new system was now introduced: Sir Henry Pottinger refused to
receive the Prefect of Canton, and let it be known that the British
would no longer be cajoled by the Chinese. As the enemy did not
choose to sue for peace, the squadron was forthwith prepared with
great energy for an attack on Amoy. The orders issued by Sir William
Parker, for the guidance of the fleet, were very excellent, and much
attention was devoted to the arrangement of the transport service,
which was placed under the most efficient regulations, indeed great
credit is due to the masters and officers of the troop and store
ships for their good conduct and attention to their duties throughout
the war. On the 21st of August, at daylight, nine days only after
the arrival of the Admiral, the fleet being ready for sea, got under
weigh. It was formed in three divisions. The centre was commanded
by Captain Herbert, of the 'Blenheim,' assisted by Commander Clarke,
of the 'Columbine;' the starboard division by Captain Bourchier, of
the 'Blonde,' assisted by Commander Giffard, of the 'Cruiser;' and
the first division by Captain Smith, of the 'Druid,' assisted by
Commander Anson, of the 'Pylades.'
Among other orders, it was directed that a boat should be kept in
constant readiness on board each transport to tow the ships clear of
each other in the event of calms.
The fleet destined for the proposed attack on Amoy consisted of the
following ships:--'Wellesley,' flag-ship, 72, Captain Thomas
Maitland; 'Blenheim,' 72, Captain Thomas Herbert; 'Blonde,' 44,
Captain Thomas Bourchier; 'Druid,' 44, Captain Henry Smith, C.B.;
'Modeste,' 18, Captain Henry Eyres; 'Cruiser,' 16, Commander H. W.
Giffard; 'Pylades,' 18, Commander T. V. Anson; 'Columbine,' 16,
Commander Thomas J. Clarke; 'Bentinck,' 10, Lieut. Richard Collinson;
'Algerine,' 10, Lieut. T. H. Mason; 'Rattlesnake,' troop ship, Master
James Sprent. Steam-vessels: Hon. East India Company--'Sesostris,'
4, Acting Commander Ormsby; 'Phlegethon,' 4, Lieut. M'Cleverty, R.N;
'Nemesis,' 2, Master W. H. Hall, R.N.; 'Queen,' 2, Acting Master W.
Warden, R.N.
Added to the fleet there were 21 hired transports and store-ships,
many of not less than a thousand tons.
Captain Nias remained in the neighbourhood of the Canton river as
senior officer, in command of a squadron of five vessels-of-war.
Amoy stands on the south-western corner of an island of the same
name, situated in a large bay on the China coast, scarcely 300 miles
north of Hong Kong. The small island of Kolingsoo, separated by a
narrow passage from Amoy, completely commands the harbour, as well as
the town and suburbs. The harbour is very fine; and several rivers,
which debouche into the bay, afford easy communication with the
interior of the country. The inhabitants, also, being possessed of
an enterprising and mercantile spirit, it is a place of very
considerable commerce. It was, therefore, considered that the
capture of so flourishing a place would be seriously felt by the
Chinese Government.
Several islands, on which numerous forts had been erected, stretch
across the bay; and on Amoy itself were a succession of batteries,
one of which, commanding the harbour, was a mile in length, and
mounted 96 guns. Every neighbouring height and point was also
strongly fortified. On several occasions the authorities, confident
in their strength, had treated the British flag in a hostile and
insolent manner, which well merited the punishment now preparing for
them. The weather proving favourable, the fleet had a good passage
up, well maintaining their order of sailing, and without the
occurrence of any accident of importance. Before sunset, on the
evening of the 25th, it arrived off the islands at the entrance of
Amoy Bay. A few shot were discharged at the ships as they passed
between the fortified islands; but no mischief was done. It was then
beginning to blow hard; but, favoured by a fair wind and a bright
moonlight, piloted by Captain Bourchier, of the 'Blonde,' the fleet
entered the bay, and anchored in security for the night. A strong
wind during the night prevented any boats from leaving the ships to
sound or make observations; but as soon as daylight appeared, the
Admiral, accompanied by Sir Hugh Gough and Sir Harry Pottinger,
embarked in the 'Phlegethon' to reconnoitre the Chinese positions.
As, in consequence of the advanced period of the monsoon and the
farther operations which were proposed, it was of the utmost
importance that as little time as possible should be employed before
Amoy, it was determined that a simultaneous attack should be
immediately made by the squadron on the batteries within the barrier
wall, and on the island of Golong-soo, and that the troops should be
landed inside the barrier as soon as practicable to take the
batteries in the rear. For this purpose the 'Wellesley' and
'Blenheim' were directed to anchor opposite the strongest batteries
on Amoy, and as near the entrance of the harbour as possible, leaving
the 'Cruiser,' 'Pylades,' 'Columbine,' and 'Algerine' to engage the
extreme point of the line, and cover the landing of the troops,
flanked by the heavy guns of the 'Queen' and 'Sesostris'
steam-vessels, the 'Phlegethon' and 'Nemesis' being appointed to
receive the troops, and tow in the boats for landing them. Captain
Bourchier, of the 'Blonde,' was directed to attack the island of
Golong-soo, where it was supposed the water was shoaler. He had
under him the 'Druid' and 'Modeste,' with a body of marines commanded
by Captain Ellis, and a detachment of the 26th Regiment commanded by
Major Johnstone. While these arrangements were being made, a
messenger from the shore came off, under a flag-of-truce, requesting
to know the object of the squadron in coming to the port. He was
informed, in reply, that it was come to require that the demands made
by Captain Elliot at Tientsin should be complied with; and if not
done readily, they should be enforced. A white flag was to be
displayed if these terms were agreed to; and if not, hostilities were
to be commenced forthwith. Anxious to prevent bloodshed, the British
commanders waited for the appearance of the white flag; but the
infatuated Chinese, notwithstanding the lessons they had received,
trusting to their numerous guns and batteries, refused to display it,
and the signal to engage was accordingly given.
The morning had been very hot and sultry; but about a quarter past
one a steady and favourable breeze having set in, the squadron
weighed and proceeded to their stations. The 'Sesostris,' being the
most advanced, received a heavy fire before any return was made. She
was soon joined by the 'Queen,' and both vessels commenced action
with good effect. The 'Wellesley' and 'Blenheim,' after ranging
along the line of works on Amoy under a smart fire, were anchored by
the stern about half-past 2 P.M., admirably placed by Captains
Maitland and Herbert in 10 fathoms water, within 400 yards of the
principal battery, precisely in the position allotted to them, while
the 'Cruiser,' 'Pylades,' 'Columbine,' and 'Algerine' took their
stations with equal judgment. The 'Blonde,' 'Druid,' and 'Modeste'
reached their positions opposite the batteries on Goolong-soo a few
minutes earlier; but owing to the shallowness of the water, their
Captains found much difficulty in placing them satisfactorily. To
effect this it was necessary to carry them into little more than
their own draught, which, however, without hesitation, was done in a
very spirited manner.
The 'Bentinck' had been appointed to sound the channel ahead of the
'Wellesley,' as she ran in. This Lieutenant Collinson very
spiritedly performed, and then gallantly anchored his brig within the
entrance of the harbour. Here she was joined by the 'Sesostris,'
which was placed by Captain Ormsby in a very judicious position for
relieving her and the other ships from a flanking fire. The action
now became general, and the Chinese for some time worked their guns
with much spirit, the roar from the artillery of both parties
reverberating among the surrounding heights with a deafening effect;
but though the Chinese fought with far more courage and stubbornness
than usual, they could not withstand the excellent gun-practice of
the squadron. In about an hour and a half their fire slackened, and
preparations were made for landing the troops, to drive the enemy out
of their fortifications. The three principal batteries on
Goolong-soo being silenced, Captain Ellis, with 170 marines and a
small detachment of the 26th regiment, under Major Johnstone, landed
on that island, and taking possession of the heights, speedily
cleared the batteries. Meantime, as the 'Phlegethon' was running up
towards the barrier wall, Lieutenant M'Cleverty despatched a party
under Lieutenant Crawford, who had volunteered his services, to
capture a small outwork upon a hill near the beach. He and his
followers, charging the enemy, drove them speedily from their
entrenchments, and, while three hearty cheers echoed from the decks
of the steamers as they passed, hoisted the British flag for the
first time that day on the Chinese works. The 'Modeste' and Blonde'
had meantime weighed and stood into the inner harbour. After
silencing the town batteries, they anchored completely inside and
abreast of the city. Here they took possession of 26 war-junks, with
128 guns on board, in a state of preparation for sea, but deserted by
their crews.
About the same time, under the direction of Captain Giffard, of the
'Cruiser,' the first division of the troops were landed, and, headed
by Sir Hugh Gough, escaladed and took possession of the works at the
barrier wall.
The 'Wellesley' and 'Blenheim,' having nearly demolished the
batteries opposed to them, a party of seamen and marines were landed
from them, under Commander Fletcher, with Acting-Lieutenant
Carmichael, Lieutenant White, R.M., Lord A. Beauclerck, S. S. L.
Crofton and L. G. Halstead, mates, and Mr. T. F. Jackson, midshipman
of the 'Wellesley,' and Captain Whitcomb, R.M., E. C. Kevern, and F.
A. St. Leger, mates of the 'Blenheim.' The Chinese, who had taken
shelter in an adjoining building, were, after discharging their
matchlocks, soon put to flight, and possession was taken of their
works.
The 'Phlegethon' and 'Nemesis' were employed in carrying up the
troops and in towing a number of boats, with the sappers and miners,
&c. They then kept up a heavy fire, to cover their landing. As soon
as this was accomplished, Mr. Hall with Mr. Gully pushed off from the
'Nemesis' in the pinnace, and joined the advanced guard of the 18th,
under Major Tomlinson, who were advancing towards the castellated
wall of the fortress. The 18th rushed for the lower end of the wall,
while the party from the 'Nemesis' made for a spot some way higher
up, which appeared more accessible; as, however, they were without
scaling-ladders, the men, to get over the wall, lifted each other up
on their backs, and in this way Mr. Hall mounted first on the top of
the wall, and waved the British flag, which he always carried with
him. Then, leaping down into the body of the fort, followed only by
two of his men, who had as yet got in, he was met by a young Chinese
officer and a considerable body of Chinese, who faced about to
encounter him. A hand-to-hand combat now took place between him and
the mandarin, but the latter was soon wounded and disarmed, his cap
and button and sword being taken from him. Seeing this, and the
small number of British opposed to them, the Chinese made a desperate
rush to rescue their chief, and Mr. Hall, with one of his men
severely wounded, had some difficulty in fighting his way back to his
party. Fortunately the troops had by this time forced their way into
the fort, with the party from the 'Wellesley' and 'Blenheim,' and the
Chinese took to flight in every direction. By five o'clock all the
outer defences of Amoy were in possession of the British, but the
Chinese still held the town itself; the troops, therefore, bivouacked
on the heights overlooking it, of which, led by Sir Hugh Gough, they
had made themselves masters. The next morning, after a careful
reconnoissance, the 18th regiment scaled the walls without
opposition, and then forced open the gates from the inside. It was
now found that the place had been deserted by the authorities, and
was in the hands of a rabble, who were plundering in every direction,
and it was with no little difficulty that the General could restore
order, so afraid were the respectable inhabitants that, in aiding
him, they should be accused of siding with the conquerors. To the
credit of the British troops, notwithstanding the quantity of
property left unprotected, instances of pilfering by them were few,
if any. About 60 only of the Chinese were killed, among whom were
several mandarins. Every care was taken of their wounded by the
victors. Of the British very few were hurt. The strength of the
surface of the chief battery was so great, it being composed of hewn
granite, faced outside with earth, that, notwithstanding the heavy
firing of two line-of-battle ships against it, very little impression
was made.
On the 30th a party of seamen and marines from the 'Wellesley,'
'Blenheim,' and 'Druid,' under Commander Fletcher, were embarked in
the 'Nemesis' and several boats, and proceeded to destroy all the
forts and guns in the neighbourhood of the city. A garrison was also
placed in the island of Goolongsoo, and Captain Smith, in the
'Druid,' with the 'Pylades' and 'Algerine,' was left for their
support, while the squadron, as soon as a favourable wind sprung up,
proceeded to Chusan. The island has ever since remained in
possession of the British.