60
The Hongkong Government Gazette.
[SEPTEMBER 11, 1858.
27th August. In the morning before leaving Lingting, a Chinese who had been taken by the pirates some days before, came on board in one of our boats; his de-cription of the atrocities cominitted by the Pirates was dreadful to hear. Mr Caldwell the Registrar General, on board of us, having gained information at Lingting that two Pirate Junks, with a cargo Junk of Cocoa-nuts, had only left on the 25th for Coulan Bay, a stronghold and favorite resort of the Pirates, we proceeded by the Ladrone Islands to Tylon, and anchored the Magicienne and Inferible at 5 P.M. on the south side in 4 fathoms water. I immediately proceeded in the Plover with all the Boats of the Magicienne armed, under Lieutenant Soudy, and the boats of the Inflexible in tow of the Algerine, under Commander Brooker; landing the Marines under Lieutenant Tuson, R.M. A., with pinnace in charge of Lieutenant Hill, on the south side, Upon our opening Coulan Bay, we discovered a squadron of five piratical fighting Junks, with two captured cargo vessels. Upon our hearing them, they fired one gun, and ran their vessels aground, the crews jumping overboard and swimining ashore, The fire of the Plover, Algerine, and rocke -boats was admirable. Anchoring the Gun-boats in position at sunset, we took possession of the Pirate Junks mounting in all 62 Guns, the two cargo Junks being one laden with cocoa-nuts and the other with rice. We had to de-troy the Cocoa-nut vessel (being on the rocks), but liberated the Rice Junk, putting on board of her the people found in the former, the united crews amounting to 24 men. At 10 P.M. I started with Magicienne's and Inflexible's first gigs, accompanied by Commander Brooker, Lieutenants Soady and Wynniatt, on a reconoitering expedition. Up the Creek, we discovered and set fire to four Pratical fighting Junks, one of 12 guns, the others having had their guns removed; whilst destroying the Junks and some smaller vessel, occasional mu-ket-shots were fired at us, which we returned. As we were burning the third Juck, great guns opened on us, at about 1,700 yards from inland, many of the shot reaching alongside the gigs at that distance. Favored by the moon (occasionally obscured), I determined to land; so with Commander Brooker, Lieutenants Soady and Wyniatt, and ten men, we pushed on as well as we could find our way guid d by the spirited fire of the guns at the stockade, which continued until we got within pistol-shot, up to 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 the entrance of the stockade being staked; clambering through mud, water, and over embankment, we got possession of the 14-Gun stockade, spiked the guns, destroyed the ammunition, fired voll ys where at times we heard the enemy, and returned on board by 2 A., with no loss on our side. Although the shot came over our heads, the Pirates appeared to be firing at where the vessels were burning in the Creek, and not 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 file, in a narrow pathway, several of the guns being placed so as to completely sweep away every thing approaching, we would have required a considerable force to have attacked it in the day time, and I have little doubt that we should have sustained some loss. The guns were similar to those in the Piratical fighting Juuks.
28th August.-Lieutenants Sharpe and Bevan were employed getting the guns out of the Junks captured in Coulan Bay into deep water, and then setting the vessels on fire. Landing a large party under Coinmander Brooker, Lieutenant Soady, and Acting Mate Brabazon, I had 30 piratical fast-boats destroyed, and marched up to the stockade to destroy the guns more effectually and burn the houses in the vicinity; the same having heen effected, al hands re-embarked and proceeded down to the ships, weighed and steamed down on the South side, to Sandy Bay, St John's Island, Mr Caldwell going down on the North side, with Plover and Algerine, where all re-anchored by dark.
At the
29th August.-At daylight having despatched the Plover and Algerine to search Samtong Bay, I proceeded with Mr Caldwell and Commander Brooker, in Magicienne's and Inflexible's 1st gigs, to search the small rocks and coves in Sandy Bay, St John's Island, 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 guns, pointed for the entrance between the rocks. As he evidently intended disputing our entrance, and it would be impossible to board him on account of his being high and dry on the mud, I bad 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 we liberated. In the forenoon, seeing some junks to the Westward, I despatched Commander Brooker in the Inflexible with the Boats of the Magicienne under Lieutenant Soady to examine them, remaining at anchor in Magicienne to superintend getting the Pirate Junk out to where we were at anchor off Hawchuru Bluff. The Plover aud Algerine came upon six Piratical Junks, upon which they made a spirited attack, doing much credit to Lieutenants Wynniatt and Arthur; after an exchange of shot for several minutes, the Pirates jumped overboard, upwards of 190 being killed or drowned, 36 taken alive, 22 people rescued, and 80 guns destroyed; the Inflexible with Magicienne's boats coming in very opportunely to prevent any escape, and to give a finishing stroke to an affair so ably executed by Lieutenant Wynniatt. For the particulars I must refer you to the letter written by Lieutenant Wynniatt, 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 Lieuten- ant Soady, and Inflexible's Cutter under Lieutenant Bevan, and started at daybreak, with Mr Caldwell and Cominander Brooker after 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 fire 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 a 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 their equadron. The remaining two were fishing vessels, one with five men, the other with four on board, whom we liberated. The other two vessels I had taken into deep water, set fire to, and guns thrown overboard. The woman I had sent to the Magicienne.
Weighing with the sh ps at 8 r., we proceeded to Wong Chow, where leaving the Magicienne and Inflexible at anchor, I proceeded at P.M., with Mr Caldwell in the Plover, taking in tow all the Magicienne's Boats under Lieut. Soady, Commander Brooker going in Algerine with Inferible's Boats. Proceeding up for Tywoo shan, at 3 r. M., we discovered two Junks; and on giving chase, one lowered her 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), who 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 within range, we opened fire, the Chinese villagers on shore following her up, so as to slaughter any one attempting to escape by swimming from her. At 4.10 P.M., the Pirate opened fire upon us, and continued so doing until she was taken. The Plover having got within canister distance, did great execution, as did the Algerine and ali the boats. Pushing off in the boats at 4.40, the Pirate still sailing and pulling, gave us a hard chase: my gig being light, consequently got within pistol-shot distance before the other boats could come up. I cannot speak too highly of Mr Brabazon, Acting Mate, and Mr S. G. Anstruther, Midship nan, who came with me, or of the whole Boat's Crew. as, out of nine men, eight were wounded by the Pirates; Mr Bra azon with the two Marines keeping up a most effective fire with their rifles; Mr Anstruther most gallantly jumped overboard after T. Mil's, Ordinary, one of the gig's crew, who in consequence of a stinkpot having exploded upon him, had 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 come within canister distance, as well as the Plover and Algerine, the Pirate grounded in a sinking state; those on board of her not killed jumped overboard, the few escaping us being immediately slaughtere by the villagers as.12.
One Chinese, who had been taken prisoner by the Pirates and rescued by us, informed us that this junk was commanded by the Pirate 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 one of who escaped. The cooines displayed throughout the expedition since leaving Hongkong by all on board, the accuracy of the fire from 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, Lieut Wynnialt, Lieut. Arthur, Lieut Bevan, Acting Mate Brabazon, Midshipman Anstruther. The conducting of the Plover and Algerins through such intricate channels reflects the greatest credit to Me Jno. Phillips, Acting second Master, and Mr H. Swainson, second Master.
I enclose herewith a list of casualties, in which I am happy to say are none killed,
31st August. arching the various creeks, we found two junks with no guus on board, but as they answered the description given to Mr Caldwell, I had them destroyed, meeting with no resistance with the exception of one gingall shot. Before high water, I had the Plover and Algerine placed in position before the ba tery of Tywoo-shan, in which were two heavy long guns besides smaller ones; sending a boat in under Lieut. Soady, to set fire to a large junk, which had been used as a Pirate, but whose guns had been removed, our firing of the previous day giving them timely 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 Hakki tribe, living there always, give protection openly to the Pirates, the Mandarins never yet having been able to take the place, although they have tried with a large force; the Hakka tribe being in open renellion against them. There being nothing more to complete the destruction of, I returned with the vessels
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 his disposal.
2d September-Proceeded to St John's Island, searching the nooks and corners, finding nothing.
3d September.-Proceeded at 4 A.M. for Tylon Island, where, at 11 A.M. auchoring the Magicienne and Inflexible on the south side, I started with Conr. Brooker and Mr Caldwell in Plover and Algerine with ships' boats to Coulan Bay. Finding I had been too lenient on the former occasion of visiting this place, in sparing the houses and many boats, as the accounts given by prisoners taken from Pirates, and from all parties enquired of, agreed that every person and article thereat were piratical, and had been for some years, also from Mr Caldwell's previous knowledge; and as the Mandarin authorities had long since denounced it as such, I desired commander Brooker to land with his division of boats and with those under Lieut Soadly, 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 our side, the Pirates having 4 or 5 killed. The houses were nothing more than magazines of powder and ammunition, explosions after explosions taking place. Seven more guns were discovered and destroyed, cargoes of Betel-nut and other pirated scores set fire to, as were also two
SEPTEMBER 11, 1858.]
The Hongkong. Goverminent Gazette.
242
01
piratical Fighting Junks with guns removed, 1 Cargo Junk, and about 40 Boats nearly all Fast-boats. With the Plover I started in chase of a Fast-boat pulling sixteen Oars, which we did not get possession of until after the crew had got ashore. She was well armed and provi. sioned, mounted a 6 por. in the stern. Two other Piratical Fast-boats were likewise discovered and set fire to. The destruction of their favorite stronghold with loss of powder and Ammunition will I trust prevent the Pirates fitting out any vessels of consequence for Piratical purposes for some time.
4th September-Proceeded by Kypong Islands, Sammoon and Ling-ting, where we now are.
1
H.M. S. “ Magicienne," off Lingting Island, 4th September, 1858.
H.M.S. "Magicienne,'
off Lingting Island, 4th September, 1858.
(Signed,)
NICHOLAS VANSITTART,
Captain.
Return of Piratical War Junks, &c., captured by H.M.'s Ships" Magicienne,” “ Inflexible,” “ Plover,” and "Algerine," on the undermentioned dates, with the number of Cargo Junks and Prisoners retaken from the Pirates, and Casualties in the crews of H.M's Ships.
DATE.
PLACE.
Presseal
War Junks
dratmaged
and burnt.
1858
Aug. 26
Lingting Islands,
2
CAPTURED OR DESTROYED.
Pirates
Total No. of Piratical
Guns apiked Funt Ba destroyed. Deep Water.
or sunk into Captured
50
27
Culan Bay,.....
9
30
74
28
ative.
:
CASUALTIES AMONGST THE OFFICES & MAN
REMARKS.
Jurne N
OF ILM'S SHIPS.
Ship.
No.
RECAPTURED FROM PIRATES.
Supposed
Pirates
killed.
No. of ¡Cargo Junke reinuaed,
--
Mon.
بھرنے ورثاء
25
+
Prisoner
Pirates and velcard.
2
50
24
burnt
26
29
St John's Island,
1
10
Off Hawcheun Bluff,
6
80
36
190
19
3
30 St John's,
Teywoo-shan.......
12 65
9
]
*24
31
3
"
Sept. 4 Coulan,
43
8
:
1 burnt
Totals,
26
74
236
36
372
6
78
4
+
...
•
Magicienne Alyerine
Under the Pirate Chief Momema. Upwards of 120 Pirates on this Island. One of the re-captured prisoners was an English Seamen called Chas, Deacon, late of the Merchant Ship Antelope, Under the Pirate Chief' Kowkung- hung. The crews of the Piratical War Junks escaped to shore ; many killed. An armed stockade of 14
guns was captured and destroyed by a night attack. Under the Pirate Chief Lowcumfat.
38 men on board, nearly all! killed.
Under the Pirate Chief Yaongkong- Prisoners handed over to Mandarin Authorities.
poo,
Under the Pirate Chief Tunghai. Under the Pirate Chief Cheepoo, who
was killed in the affair.
Tais vessel offered resistance for up- wards of an hour, woun.ling with stinkpots, gingalis, &c., 8 of the 9 menin Magicienne's Captain's Gig. Recaptured-the same liberated st
Coulan.
Guns removed-Pirates warned by the fight of the previous evening.
Magicienne Interrible
i lover
Algerine
21 re-captured a second time.
54
(Signed,)
14
R
NICHOLAS VANSITTART,
Γαμικέλιο
H.M.'S GUN-BOAT Plover, SANDY BAY, 29th August, 1858.
Sto have the honour to acquaint you, that in obedience to your orders, I proceeded with the Plover and Algerine to Samtong Bay where nothing was net with beyond a few fishing and trading boats, but from whom I gained information of pirates having been there on the ! previous evening, but had left during the night in the direction of Gunjavar Channel; upon which I considered I should not be departing from my instructions in following them up, which I did, searching the whole of the western shore of Hawchen Island, without seeing anything i suspicious until we arrived at Hawcheun Bluff, when we suddenly opened six piratical Junks standing in line towards the shur, which from i their appearance as to tonnage and cut of sails, quite agreed with the information we had rece ved at Samtong. As we approached within gun shot, fire was opened immediately on both sides, Lieutenant Arthur in the Algerine taking the right extreme of the line, while the Plover took the left, to prevent their reaching the shore, firing continually on both sides for many minutes, when the men jumped overboard from the Junks and made for the shore, a few escaping in their small boats, leaving us in possession of the Junks, which were as speedily as possible anchored, guns thrown overboard, and set fire to, in which we were very much assisted by the joining of the Inflexible and Magicienne's oats under Lieutenant Soady, as every assistance was given by Commander Brooker in destroying the Junks, which being completed in obedience to instructions from Commander Brooker I proceeded with the Algerine, to examine Namoa Harbour and the channel leading between the Islands of Hawcheun, Wasp, Cricket, and Dipachou, when I rejoined the Magicienne. I am happy to say that the captures were effected without a single man being wounded on our side, though the fire at times was heavy. As far as I am able to learn, upwards of eighty guns were destroyed.
In conclusion I beg to bring to your notice, the very cordial co-operation I received from Lieutenant Arthur in the Algerine, and the I further think it my duty to bring to brisk and accurate fire kept up by the Gun-boats reflects the highest credit on both men and officers. your notice Mr Joha Phillips, Second Master of the Plover, who conducted the vessels through most intricate channels in a manner which showed great judgment and ability. The Interpreter sent by Mr Caldwell, Registrar General, proved of great value in obtaining information and making himself generally useful.
Hoping that our proceedings will meet with your approval,
I have, &c., &c.,
To Captain N. VANSITTART, C.B..
H.M.'s Ship Magicienne.
True Copies,
H. F. HANCE.
3
(Signed,)
ROBERT WYNNIATT,
Lieutenant Commanding.