60
The Hongkong Government Gazette.
[SEPTEMBER 11, 19
27th August.—In the morning before leaving Lingting, a Chinese who had been taken by the pirates some days before, came on ho one of our boats 3-his de-cription of the atrocities committed by the Pirates was dreadful to hear. Mr Caldwell the Registrar Gener board of us, having gained information at Lingting that two Pirate Junks, with a cargo Junk of Cucon-nuts, had only left on the 25 Coulan Bay, a stronghold and favorite resort of the Pirates, we proceeded by the Ladrone I-lands to Tylon, and anchored the Mag and Inferille at 5 P.M. on the south side in 4 fathoms water. I immediately proceeded in the Plover with all the Boats of the Mag armed, under Lieutenant Sondy, and the bouts of the Inflexible in tow of the Alger ine, under Commander Brooker; landing the M under L'eutenant Tuson, R.M.A., with pinnace in charge of Lieutenant tiill, on the south side. Upon our opening Coulan Bay, we discus a squadron of five piratical fighting Junks, with two captured cargo vessels. Upon our nearing them, they fired one gun, and ran their v eground, the crews jump`ng overboard and swimming ashore. The fire of the Plover, Algerine, and rocke-boats was admirable. Anchorin Gun-beats in position at sunser, we took pos-ession of the Pirate Junks mounting in all 62 Guns, the two cargo Junks being one laden cocon-nuts an I the other with rice. We had to destroy the Cocoa-nut vessel (being on the rocks), but liberated the Rice Junk, putting band of her the people found in the former, the united crews amounting to 24 men. At 10 P.M. I started with Mgicienne's and Inflect first glas, accompanied by Commander Brooker, Lieutenants Soady and Wyuniatt, on a reconnoitering. exped-tion. Up the Creek, discovered and sei. five to four Pratical fighting Junks, one of 12 guns, the others having had their guns removed; whilst destroying t Aks and some smaller vessels, occasional mu-ket-shots were fired at us, which we returned. As we were burning the third Junk, g gens opened on us, at about 1,700 yards from inland, many of the shot reaching alongside the gigs at that distance. Favored by the (occasional y obscured), I determined to land; so with Commander Brooker, Lieutenants Soady and Wynniatt, and ten men, we pushed well as we could find our way guided by the spirited fire of the guns at the stockade, which continued until we got within pistol-shot, up which time we had reserved our fire. Giving a volley, we pushed on; the enemy ran, ourselves being brought up for a minute or so by: entrance of the stockade being staked; clambering through mud, water, and over embankment, we got possession of the 14-Gun stoc: spiked the guns, destroyed the ammunition, fired volleys where at times we heard the enemy, and returned on board by 2 A.M. with no lo our side. Although the shot came over our heads, the Pirates appeared to be firing at where the vessels were burning in the Creek, anii. to be aware of our movements ashore, nor the smallness of our force, until we were close upon them. For, having to advance in single f in a narrow pathway, several of the guns being placed so as to completely sweep away every thing approaching, we would have require à considerable force to have attacked it in the day time, and I have little doubt that we should have sustained some loss.
The guns we similar to those in the Piratical fighting Junks.
On 2.
28th August.-Lieutenants Sharpe and Bevan were employed ́getting the_guns out of the Junks captured in Coulan Bay into de water, and then setting the vessels on fire. Landing a large party under Commander Brooker, Lieutenant Soady, and Acting M Brabazon, I had 30 puratival fast-boats destroyed, and marched up to the stockade to destroy the guns more effectually and burn the hour in the vicinity; the same having been effected, all hands re-embarked and procceded down to the ships, weighed and steamed down on t South side, to Sandy Bay, St John's Island, Me Caldwell going down on the North side, with Plover and Algerine, where all re-anchor by dark,
29th August.—At daylight having despatched the Plover and Algerine to search Samtong Bay, I proceeded with Mr Caldwell an Commander Brooker, in Magicienne's" and "Inflexible's 1st gigs, to search the small rocks and coves in Sandy Bay, St John's Island. Atth extreme end of one of the bays we came suddenly upon a piratical Junk of 10 guns, all on one broadside, and 38 men all at their gua pointed for the entrance between the rocks. As he evidently intended disputing our entrance, and it would be impossible to board him e account of his being high and dry on the mud, I had the gig's crews landed on the rocks with their rifles. Upon our opening fire the Pirates immediately fled, many being killed-on board we found two women, who had been prisoners for upwards of two months, whom w liberated, In the forenoon, seeing some junks to the Westward, I despatched Commander Brooker in the Inflexible with the Boats of th Magicienne mploy Liontouant Simsly to examine them, remaining at anchor in Magicienne to superintend getting the Pirate Junk out :: when war wine at anchor off Hawohum Haff. The Plover and Algerina enmo upon six Piratical Junks, upon which they made a spirit.d attacle, chúng much orvilit to Lieutenants Wyunlaft and Arthur; alter an exchange of shot for several minutes, the Piratos jumped overboar i, upwards of 190 being killed or drow neil, ati raken alive, 22 prople rescued, and 80 guns destroyed; the Inflexible with Magicienne's box, coming in very opportunely to prevent any escape, and to give a finishing stroke to an affair so ably executed by Lieutenant Wynniatt. F the particulars 1 must refer you to the letter written by Lieutenant Wynaiatt, enclosed herewith.
30th August --At 4 P.M. hearing a gun fired from the Northward, I had the Plover ready with the Magicienne's Cutter under Lieuter. ant Soady, and Inficxible's Cutter under Lieutenant Bevan, and started at daybreak, with Mr Caldwell and Commander Brooker afte: four vessels for the land.
Upon our getting within gunshot, the crews of the two larger junks took to their boats and made for the shore, ourselves opening fr with musketry and great guns, destroying the greater part of them.
The vessels turned out to be one Pirate Junk mounting 5 guns, on board of which we found a Chinese woman, who had been made prisoner with 7 men, some days before, near Macao; her vessel, the second large one, having been kept by the Pirates to form one of the squiron. The remaining two were fishing vessels, one with five men, the other with four on board, whom we liberated. The other tw vessels I had taken into deep water, set fire to, and guns thrown overboard, The woman I had sent to the Magicienne.
Weghing with the ships at 8 r., we proceeded to Wong Chow, where leaving the Magicienne and Inflexible at anchor. I proceed at 1 P.M., with Mr Caldwell in the Plover, taking in tow all the Magicienne's Boats under Lieur. Soady, Commander Brooker going it Algerine with Inferible's Boats. Proceeding up for Tywoo shan, at 3 P.M., we discovered two Janks; and on giving chase, one lowered bet sails and anchored, turning out to be our old friend the R ce junk, who had been again captured by another Pirate (the vessel ahead). : was sailing away with a good breeze, and pulling with all her oars to escape up to the Fort of Tywoo-shan. As soon as we came up with: range, we opened fire, the Chinese villagers on shore following her up, so as to slaughter any one attempting to escape by swimining from her At 4.10 P.M., the Pirate opened fire upon us, and continued so doing until he was taken. The Ploner having got within canister distance did great execution, as did the Algerine and alt the boats. Pushing off in the boats at 4.40, the Pirate still sailing and pulling, gave us a r chase my gig being light, consequently got within pistol--hot distance before the other boats could come up. I cannot speak too highly Mr Brabazon, Acting Mate. and Mr S. G. Austruther, Midship nan, who came with me, or of the whole Boat's Crew, as, out of nine mes. eight were wounded by the Pirates; Mr Brabazoa with the two Marines keeping up a most effective fire with their rifles; Mr Anstruther mos gallantly jumped overboard after T. Mil's, Ordinary, one of the gig's crew, who in consequence of a stinkpot having exploded upon him, ha to jump overboard to save himself, but being unable to swim, was fast sinking, when Mr Anstruther rescued him; Mr Anstruther's strength was also exhausted when assistance came to him. At 5.30 P.M., the boats having cone within canister distance, as well as the Plover an Algerine, the Pirate grounded in a sinking state; those on board of her not killed jumped overboard, the few escaping us being immediat slaughtere by the villagers ashore.
One Chinese, who had been taken prisoner by the Pirates and rescued by us, informed us that this junk was commanded by the Pins Chief Cheeppoo, who was killed shortly before the vessel grounded; also that she mounted 9 guns, having a crew of upwards of 65 men, not on of whom escaped. The coolness displayed throughout the expedition since leaving Hongkong by all on bard, the accuracy of the fire fro the Plover and Algerine, also from the boats of Magicienne and Inflexible, do great credit to all on board; and I take this opportunity of re commending to your favourable notice, as I have done in my covering letter, particularly Conr. Brooker, Lieut. J. C. Soady, List Wyuniatt, Lieut." Arthur, Lieut Bevan, Acting Mate Brabazou, Midshipman Anstruther. The conducting of the Plover and Algeria through such intricate channels reflects the greatest credit to Mr Jao. Phillips, Acting second Master, and Mr H. Swainson, second Master
I enclose herewi h a list of casualties, in which I am happy to say are none killed.
31st August.—Searching the various creeks, we found two junks with no guns on board, but as they answered the description givea Mr Caldwed, I had them destroyed, meeting with no resistance with the exception of one gingall shot. Before high water, I had the Pr and Algerine placed in position before the battery of Tywoo-shan, in which were two heavy long guns besides smaller ones; sending a beat a under Lieut. Sady, to set fire to a large junk, which had been used as a Pirate, but whose guns had been removed, our firing of the provis day giving them tinely warning. We remained opposed to the battery until the vessel was burnt to the water's edge; however as no shot was fired, I did not feel myself authorized in acting in any way against it, although it is well understood that the Hakka tribe, living there alw give protection openly to the Pirates, the Mandarins never yet having been able to take the place, although they have tried with a large for: the Hakka tribe being in open rebellion against them. There being nothing more to complete the destruction of, I returned with the ve and boats to where the Magicienne and Inflexible were at anchor.
1st September.-Proceeded with Gun-Boats in tow to Mamee, when sending for the Mandarin, I handed over to him 22 Pirates for li disposal.
2d September -Proceeded to St John's Island, searching the nooks and corners, finding nothing.
3 September-Proceeded at 4 A.M. for Tylon Island, where, at 11 A.M. anchoring the Magicienne and Inflexible on the south side, started with Comr. Broker and Mr Caldwell in Plover and Algerine with ships' boats to Coulan Bay. Finding I had been too lenient on th former occasion of visiting this place, in sparing the houses and many boats, as the accounts given by prisoners taken from Pirates, and fr all parties enquired of, agreed that every person and article thereat were piratical, and had been for some years, also from Mr Caldwe previous knowledge; and as the Mandarin authorities had long since denounced it as such, I desired commander Brooker to land with B division of boats and with those under Lieut Soady, to search well the different lots of houses about the creek, to burn and destroy everything that he could find; which he most ably executed, having only a few gingall shot fired at his party, which was returned, without any loss on side, the Pirates having 4 or 5 killed. The houses were nothing more than magazines of powder and ammunition, explosions after explosion taking place. Seven more guns were discovered and destroyed, cargoes of Betel-nut and other pirated stores set fire to, as were also w
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