The Hongkong Government Gazette.
[MARCH 23, 1858.
As
in-e and board one of those on shore, but finding that she was hard and fast, and deserted, proceeded for the two larger ones.
in my gig, when about. 100 yards from the shore, the Pirates opened a heavy fire of nusketry and gingalls, from a battery and men Immediately the Cutter and Pinnace opened the point, behind which the larger Junks had taken refuge, they (the Junks) opened sta: Lieutenant Vivian in the Cutter, and Mr Byles in the Pinnace, pushed on, and gallantly captured them. The crews, when they istanea of no uze, took to the water; but we were, I am sorry to state, unable to save more than eighteen of the Chinese, in conse- the pertinacity with which they tried to drown themselves. These men I have brought to Hongkong.
should estimate the number of Pirates in the five Junks at not less than 200, of whom about 100 made their escape, and about 80 were
In the two large Junks last captured, there were at the very least 70 men in each.
The armament and number of guns on board the Junks are mentioned hereafter.
When 1 bearded the two last named Junks, I determined, in consequence of their being so large and valuable, one in particular, to brin thma to Hongkong if possible; but this morning finding all my endeavours to float them vain, they were destroyed. I removed seven guns, which I have brought down.
When the tile rose, Mr Molloy, 2d Master, whom I left in charge of this vessel, succeeded in getting off one of the piratical smaller vessels, and used her to get ballast and weights out of the schooner, and at 12.30 A.M. got her alongside.
On this Junk was found a Compass belonging to the schooner; and another circumstance is worth noting, viz., that there are two boards on which have been painted in English figures, numbers similar to those on the boats registered at Hongkong and Macao, but partly erased: this Junk I have brought down.
I cannot conclude without tendering my best thanks to all the Officers concerned in this expedition, especially to Mr Molloy, 2d Master, Mr McAlister's local knowledge was for the alle manner in which, during my absence, he succceded in getting the Heather Bell off shore.
This service has been effected with one slightly wounded, John Lawrence, leading stoker.—I have, &c.,
very useful,
His Excellency Rear Admiral Sir MICHAEL SETMOUR, K. C.B.,
(Signed,)
A. J. VILLIERS, Lieutenant and Commander.
Commander-in-Chief.
RETURN OF GUNS CAPTURED AND DESTROYED.
Coptreed.-Four 9-pounder Guns, two 6-pounder Guns, one 12-pounder Gun. Datregel. Two 32-pounder Guns, five 24-pounder Guns, and smaller guns about eight. Small Gingalls, also a large number of imple- ments of warfare, Stinkpots, Spears, &c., and a large number of charges for the guns.
The two larger Junks had--one 32-pounder, one 24-pounder, eight smaller 4 to 9-pounders, one 32-pounder, four 24-pounders, two smaller 3-pounders.
(Signed,).
A. J. VILLIERS, Lieutenant and Commander.
LIST OF CASUALTIES.
John Lawrence, leading stoker of Starling, contusion (gunshot) over left scapula, slightly.
(Signed,)
JOSEPH MURPHY, Assistant Surgeon.
True Copy,
II. F. HANCE.
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