936
SENHOUSE, H.S.Le Fleming
One of the most poignant episodes connected with early uncertainty was the burial of Sir H.S. Le Fleming Senhouse (died 26-7-33) who was Senior Naval Officer here, at the outset. In the "Cruise of the Nemesis" reference is made both to the uncertainty which prevailed in the first few weeks as well as the sickness which carried off this gallant officer. I quote:
"Sickness had already begun to prevail among our troops before they had reached Hongkong. The eight days' exposure which they had endured upon the heights of Canton sowed the seeds of ague and dysentry, which proved far more formidable enemies to us than any troops the Chinese could bring against us. After the lapse of a few days, and when the excitement of active operations on shore, and the cheering influence of hope and novelty had subsided, the sickness spread among the men with alarming rapidity, so that, at length, out of our small force, no less than eleven hundred men were upon the sick list at Hongkong. Part of this alarming state of things must be attributed certainly to the pernicious influence of the atmosphere of Hongkong itself at that season of the year. But every allowance must be made for the exposure which the men had undergone at Canton, and for the susceptibility of constitution produced by long confinement on board ship. The germs of disease were planted in their bodies before the men returned to the harbour of Hongkong; and therefore an undue stress was laid at the time upon unhealthiness of Hongkong itself;
"It happened, remarkably enough, that two of the high officers died as nearly as possible the same time, one on the part of the Chinese, and one on our side. Lung-wah, one of the Imperial Commissioners, died of fever at Canton about the middle of June, and Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, the Senior Naval Officer, also died of fever at Hongkong on the 13th of that month.
"Sir Le Fleming Senhouse had partaken all the privations of the troops on shore, and exposed himself on every occasion in which his zeal and example could serve the cause. He was, moreover, undoubtedly chagrined at the unlooked-for termination of his labours by a truce, the provisions of which, right or wrong, scarcely accorded with his own views of the exigencies of the moment. All these causes combined, acting upon a not over-strong constitution, sufficed to hurry him by sickness to his grave. On the 17th his remains were removed to Macao, according to a wish which he had expressed before his death; as if he retained a lurking doubt whether Hongkong would not some day or other be restored to the Chinese. The Nemesis was employed upon this melancholy occasion, to carry over his remains. At Macao the body of the gallant veteran was buried, with the honours due to his rank, in the English burial-ground. The procession was formed by Capt. Elliot, Sir Hugh Gough, and Capt. Herbert (as the senior naval officer) followed by at least seventy military and naval officers, and by nearly all the British and foreign residents. The Portuguese Governor also attended, with all his staff, and the Portuguese guard fired three volleys over the grave of the lamented officer."
Page 95
Page 96