285
Inclosure No 2 in Despatch N. 142 of 1849.
HER MAJESTY'S SLOOP Columbine, PIRATE's Cove, Bras BAY, 2d October, 1849.
Sir—I have the honour to inform Your Excellency, that my anticipations have been fortunately realized, and that the Piratical Squadron of "Chui-a-poo" has been totally destroyed by the force you so kindly and promptly placed at my disposal. Twenty-three Piratical Junks averaging 500 tons, mounting from 12 to 18 guns, three new ones on the stocks, and Two small Dockyards with a considerable supply of Naval Stores, have been totally destroyed by fire; and of 1800 men who manned them, about 400 have been killed, and the rest dispersed without resource.
To Commander Willcox of the Fury, whose great ability and zeal are already known to Your Excellency, I must give the principal honour of the day. To the Fury's unrivalled accuracy of firing, must be attributed the bloodless termination to us of this affair.
The Columbine being unable to come close up in the narrow channel where she would have hampered the Fury's movements, I went on board the Fury, to share in the action. The piratical fire was silenced in about 45 minutes, during which time only one man was slightly wounded. The Boats of Hastings and Columbine under Lieutenants Luard and Bridges, Senior of those ships, whom I beg to recommend to Your Excellency, then assisted in completing the destruction, and Lieutenant Holland and the Marines accompanied me in an expedition to scour the heights, but no opposition was offered to us, the pirates running in all directions.
The Officers, Seamen, and Marines employed have conducted themselves in a steady, quiet, and gallant manner, and I am sure, if the resistance had been much larger, similar success would have crowned their efforts.
Mr Caldwell of the Police Force, who acted as Interpreter, has proved himself invaluable in collecting information.
I send this at once by a Chinese boat, and I hope to succeed in destroying some detached Piratical Junks of which we have information, in the course of to-day and to-morrow; after which we shall rejoin you.—I have, &c.
JOHN C. DALRYMPLE HAY,
Commander.
His Excellency Rear Admiral
Sir FRANCIS A. COLLIER, C.B., K.C.H.,
Commander-in-Chief, &c., &c., &c.
285
Inclosure No 2 in Despatch N. 142 of 1849.
HER MAJESTY'S SLOOP Columbine, PIRATE's Covs, Bras BAY, 2d October, 1849. St-I have the honour to inform Your Excellency, that my anticipations have been fortun- ately realized, and that the Piratical Squadron of "Clui-a-poo" has been totally destroyed by the force you so kindly and promptly placed at my disposal. Twenty-three Piratical Junks averaging 500 tous, mounting from 12 to 18 guns, three new ones on the stocks, and Two small Dockyards with a considerable supply of Naval Stores, have been totally destroyed by fire; and of 1800 men who manned them, about 400 have been killed, and the rest dispersed without resource.
To Commander Willcox of the Fury, whose great ability and zeal are already known to Your Excellency, I must give the principal honour of the day. To the Fury's unrivalled accuracy of firing, must be attributed the bloodless termination to us of this affair.
The Columbine being unable to come close up in the narrow channel where she would have hampered the Fury's movements, I went on board the Fury, to share in the action. The piratical fire was silenced in about 45 minutes, during which time only one man was slightly wounded. The Boats of Hastings and Columbine under Lieutenants Luard and Bridges, Senior of those ships, whom I beg to recommend to Your Excellency, then assisted in completing the destruction, and Lieutenant Holland and the Marines accompanied me in an expedition to scour the heights, but no opposition was offered to us, the pirates running in all directions.
The Officers, Seamen, and Marines employed have conducted themselves in a steady, quiet, and gallant manner, and I am sure, if the resistance had been much larger, similar success would have crowned their efforts.
Mr Caldwell of the Police Force, who acted as Interpreter, has proved himself invaluable in collecting information.
I send this at once by a Chinese boat, and I hope to succeed in destroying some detached Firatical Junks of which we have information, in the course of to-day and to-morrow; after which we shall rejoin you.-I have, &c.
JOHN C. DALRYMPLE HAY,
His Excellency Rear Admiral
Sir FRANCIS A. COLLIER, C.B., K C.H.,
Commander-in-Chief, &c., &c., d'e.
Commander.
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