CORRESPONDENCE
Enc. in p. 18/190
Sir,
"Tamar" at Hong Kong.
10th April 1899.
51
Admiral
(18)
I have the honor to report that at 12.30 a.m. on 4th inst., I received an urgent message from His Excellency the Governor of Hongkong to the effect that the Captain Superintendent of Police with six Sikhs and six Chinese constables were in imminent danger of their lives at Tolo Harbour, Mirs Bay. His Excellency wished to send some troops to the spot with the least possible delay, and requested the services of one of H.M. Ships for the purpose.
2. H.M.S. "Whiting" was therefore detailed and proceeded at 8.30 a.m., having embarked His Excellency Major General Gascoigne and 100 Officers and men of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, and H.M.S. "Fame" followed at daylight with instructions to act as despatch vessel, and to render the Military Authorities every assistance.
3. The Police party returned to Hongkong early in the day, and another body of 50 men of the Hongkong Regiment were despatched in a commissariat launch to recall those sent in the "Whiting" or to reinforce them if necessary. The launch however met the "Fame" and "Whiting" returning with the troops and returned herself.
4. I also ordered the torpedo boats running for instructional purposes to proceed to Tolo Harbour, considering that their services might be useful in disembarking and embarking the troops.
5. Lieutenant and Commander Kelly's report of proceedings is enclosed.
6. I regret to state that the "Whiting" took the ground.
Sir E.H. Seymour K.C.B.,
Commander in Chief, China.