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village of Tai-po-hu deserted with the exception of one or two old men and the custodian of the Temple. The latter informed us that at least a thousand armed men with several standards had marched over the border and set fire to the matsheds about five hours before, and that all the coolies had escaped towards Hong Hong. He was much agi- tated, and begged us to leave as soon as possible, as he said the hostile men were all round the village, were determined not to allow us to remain, and would certainly attack us shortly. We could see four or five standards and a large body of men on the hills north-west of the village, about a mile away; they kept up an incessant yelling, beating of and firing crackers, or guns, probably jingalls, but if so, we were out of range.
gongs, I offered to land an armed party and assisted by the police under cover of the "Fame's guns, to drive them out of their positions, but Mr. May said he had no authority to use force, and asked me to embark his men, and allow them to remain on board for the night, as the matsheds being burnt down there was no shelter for them on shore, and, further, he did not consider it safe to leave such a small party in the vicinity of the large number of hostile Chinese. He said it was necessary that he should return at once to Hong Kong to report the matter, and suggested that as my orders were to remain until the following day, and he did not like to take the responsibility of asking me to return, I should send him by boat to Sha-Sin, four miles off, from which place he would be able to walk to Kow Lung. However, I considered that under the circumstances, I was justified in returning to Hong Kong, which I did, arriving at 9.15 p.m.
Commander C. W. M. Plenderleath,
H.M.S."Tamar."
I have, &c.,
ROGER KEYES,
Lieutenant and Commander.
Forwarded to the Commodore.
C. W. M. PLENDERLEATH,
Commander.
"
'Tamar," April 18, 1899.
REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS.
H.M.S. "Fame," off Tai-po-hu,
Midnight, April 15.
227
REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS,
H.M.S." Fame," Hong Kong, April 17, 1899.
SIR,
IN continuation of my letter of midnight, April 15th, I have the honour to report that at 4.15 a.m., I landed with 16 men under Sub-Lieutenant Tomkinson, to act with the company of the Hong Kong Regiment, the object being to clear any hostile China- men from the surrounding hills, and surprise them before daylight should they have re- occupied the trenches they were driven out of the previous night. The "Fame" was kedged into a position most suitable to cover the advance if necessary, and there being some 7-pounders in one of the launches, I sent a party of stokers to land one, and mount it on the matshed hill, as a very small force was left at the base, and if attacked from the south-west the "Fame's" guns would have been masked. The expedition returned about 7.30 a.m., having experienced no opposition.
During the morning a company of Artillery arrived and Captain Long informed me that he considered his position sufficiently secure to dispense with the protection of the "Fame's" guns, so in compliance with my sailing orders I started to return to Hong Kong, but meeting the "Brisk" at the entrance to Tolo Channel, returned at your order to Tai-po-hu anchorage.
With reference to your order to place myself at the disposal of General Gascoigne, he decided to remain, and requested me to return to Hong Kong with despatches, where I arrived at 6.45 p.m.
In compliance with your order of the evening of the 16th, I slipped at 9.30 p.m., and proceeded into Kowloon Bay, sweeping the hills, city, and roads with the searchlight until daylight. Finding there a Chinese gunboat crowded with troops, I anchored close to her and kept her under observation during the night.
I beg to bring to your notice the good service rendered by Sub-Lieutenant Tomkin- son, who was responsible for the excellent practice made with the guns at a range of 2,600 yards and the prompt landing of men, which enabled the whole company of the Hong Kong Regiment to advance, the communication with the base and beach being kept open by his party.
I have, &c.,
ROGER KEYES,
Lieutenant and Commander.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to inform you that the information I forwarded by Mr. May's messenger was practically correct.
On my arrival at 5.30 p.m. off Tai-po-hu, I found a company of the Hong Kong Regiment, and Mr. May's police in position on the matshed hill. They were firing volleys at intervals, and were under fire from several jingalls on the hill above Tai-po-hu, and the village to the northward. There was also a strong force of Chinese with several standards on a ridge about 2,500 yards north-west of position. I landed at once with Captain Long, who informed me that he would then be Senior Military Officer present, and asked me to co-operate in drawing the Chinese out of their several positions by nightfall. We were met by Captain Berger, Hong Kong Regiment, who said he was much in want of the 3,000 rounds of ammunition which I had brought with me, and suggested that I should land as many rifles as possible and shell the enemies' guns to which Captain Long concurred. Having anticipated this, I had made the necessary arrangements before landing, and signalled orders which were carried out at once. The fire was admirable, the first shell falling into the largest jingall battery and silencing it and causing several Chinese to bolt. The other batteries were silenced in a few minutes, and an advance from the troops made, which was successful at every point. Captain Long has sent in a detailed account to the General of the operations, and his messenger is waiting for this. I will report more fully later. I was able to embark our landing party by 9.30 p.m., but I am landing them again at 4 a.m., to assist in an expedition through the surrounding country.
The ship's company have worked admirably, and from 9 p.m. till midnight have been landing provisions, stores, bedding, &c., for the Hong Kong Regiment, wading several hundred yards with their loads, nearly all the coolies having failed. I will return to- morrow afternoon unless I consider it advisable to remain to protect the troops with my guns.
I have, &c.,
Commodore F. Powell, C.B.
ROGER KEYES.
Commodore Francis Powell, C.B.,
H.M.S. "Tamar."
SIR,
H.M.S. "Peacock," Tolo Bay,
Wednesday, April 19, 1899.
I HAVE the honour to report that a Naval Brigade has been landed here since the evening 17th April, and there appears to be little chance of their returning to their ships for some days, as two detachments have gone inland to the front to assist a party of the Hong Kong Regiment, and to convoy coolies with stores, as the Commissariat De- partment seem to have made very unsatisfactory arrangements. Some of the Naval patrols have been engaged with the enemy, but we have had no casualties. medical officers of "Humber" and "Peacock are on shore.
To Commodore F. Powell, C.B., H.M.S. "Tamar."
Memo.-
H
D
Both
I have, &c.,
PERCY S. ST. JOHN.
Tamar," at Hong Kong, April 18, 1899. Lieutenant and Commander St. John informs me you have landed men to co-operate with the military against the hostile natives in the neighbourhood of Tolo Harbour.
While anxious to act in harmony with Her Majesty's military forces in every way necessary, you are to understand that a written requisition is necessary from the Senior Military Officer before landing any men, and you are to satisfy yourself that the service required of you is rendered necessary by the small number of troops present or is of urgent importance.
If men are landed the utmost attention must be paid to their health; they should be re-embarked at night, and a fresh requisition should be received for each occasion of landing.
The question of pacifying the newly-acquired territory is purely a military one, and should be left to the troops as much as possible.
G:A
2 Y J
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 882
5
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