53
戊
The Hongkong Government Gazette,
[SEPTEMBER 11, 1858.
大
香港量地官示
本署領辨茲將所招三事列後 年八月十四日止截是日以前其願承接者赴 招人承接事限以英本年九月二十日戊午
鐘止赴本署視閱可特示
馬頭兩處拆毁改造 填平復於堤路之外建一馬頭又將向有之舊 二。號三號五號均向有缺口之處須各以土 起東至第一百零一號地段止其中第二號及 三於必達馬頭添造包樸拉堤路自該馬頭 二在必達馬頭建立船屋一間船政廳住宅一所 一在必達馬頭海旁添設兩小馬頭分左右建造
圖則於每日自上午十一點鐘起至下午三點
以上三事招人承造倘有不明詳細意欲觀看地
一千八百五十八九
午
八九
初
日
所造
示
No.39.
篇
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
His Excellency SIR JOHN BOWRING, Knight, LL.D., Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, &c., &c., has directed the publication, for general information, of the following Copy of a Despatch from His Excellency Rear-Admiral SIR MICHAEL SEYMOUR, K.C.B., &c., &c., enclosing a Report from Lieutenant WILDMAN, Commanding Her Majesty's Gun-boat Staunch, of an action fought with three Piratical Junks off the Island of Taou-pung.
By Order,
Superintendency of Trade, Victoria, Hongkong, 6th September, 1858.
G. W. CAINE.
Calcutta, AT HONGKONG, 28th August, 1858. SIR, I have the honor to forward to Your Excellency a copy of a Letter from Lieutenant Wildman of the Staunch Gun-boat, dated the 4th instant, describing a very gallant action he fought with a superior piratical force, in which two Vessels were captured and destroyed. ---I have, &c.,
No. 15.
His Excellency SIR JOHN BOWRING, LL.D.,
$0..
&c., &c., Hongkong.
(Signed,)
M. SEYMOUR, Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief,
T
H.M.'s GUN-BOAT Staunch, OFF PE-SHAN ISLAND, 4th August, 1858.
Sm,-I have the honor to report for Your Excellency's information the particulars of an engagement which took place this morning off the Island Taou-Pung, about 60 miles to the north of the Purt of Wanchow, between H. M. Gun-boat under my command and three Piratical Jurks.
鬻
At 8 A.M, whilst at anchor off that Island, two San-pans came alongside, with information that some Piratical Junks had attacked and plundered a village, and were then rounding a neighbouring point.
I immediately weighed, cleared for action, and stood (under steam) towards four Junks which had just then cleared the Point,--one flying an English Ensign, a second a Portuguese, the other two Chinese Flags. When we had closed within 200 yards, the three largest Junks opened a smart and effective fire on us, doing much damage aloft; and to prevent injuring my Boats, as I determined to take them by boarding, I deemed it prudent to lower and tow them astern I then returned their fire with the Staunch's two Howitzers-still closing with them; but as our Gun had been sent on board H. M. S. Fury by Your Excellency's orders, to ease the Gun-boat coming down the China Sea during the typhoon season, our fire was comparatively feeble.
I went ahead at full speed on to the largest Junk, giving orders to lash her alongside us; but the instant we touched, such a shower of stink-pots and other combustible matter was thrown on board us, it was impossible for any person to remain forward, or to see through the dense smoke they occasi ned.
It was at this moment, I deeply regret to state, that Edward George, A.B., who was actually engaged in lashing the Junk alongside, baving gallantly jumped on board her for that purpose, was cut to pieces, and his remains thrown overboard. The strong breeze favoring the Junk, and a heavy swell making it difficult to lash her, she sheered off; and the Chinese having in the meantine cut our boats adrift, and being close to the rocks, I backed astern, and having picked them up, I remounted the lowitzers, which had been dismounted from the rapidity of my fire, and renewed the engagement, running alongside one and boarding, killing a great number of her crew, many of whom endeavoured to escape by jumping overboard, but only a small number reached the shore.
Leaving this ves-el in charge of Mr Morice, the second Master, and a party of men, I gave chase to a second in my Gig; and having come up with her, I boarded and took possession, making prisoners of the only two living men on board, many having been killed. and a few escaping by jumping overboard. The third Junk in the meanwhile having got some distance away, and not having more than 5 effective men left after the engagement, 1 deemed it prudent not to follow her amongst the numerous rocks and intricate passage she had taken; and being unable to spire any officers or men for the captured Junks, I gave directions for them to be burnt, which was done.
I should observe, that during the time Mr Morice and the men whom I had left with him to burn the first Junk were performing this duty, a number of San-pans pulled alongside and endeavored to recapture her, firing her long Gun below where our people were lighting a fire. Tortunately it did no harm to thein, but caused an explosion which killed from 20 to 30 of the Chinese.
The fourth Vessel having been a capture made by the Pirates, I released, having previously obtained a written statement to that effect.