Inclosure. No 1 in. Despatch.
N 155 of 1849.
294
HER MAJESTY'S SLOOP Columbine, CHOKUM, Cocon-Chinsa, 23 October, 1849.
SIR,
I have the satisfaction to report to Your Excellency the great success of the expedition you did me the honour to place under my command. 58 Piratical Vessels, mounting about 1200 Guns, and with crews of 3000 men, have been totally destroyed by fire; and, by the blessing of God, without the loss of One life of the Officers and Men under my orders.
After leaving Hongkong on the 8th October, I searched the Harbours of Concock, Sattei, St John's, Mong, Mance, Sungyue, and Tienpak, and proceeded to Now-chou. From information received there, I determined to proceed to Hoi-how in Hainan, inside the shoals, and through the Junk passage, for I found good pilots, and junks with 14 ft. draught going through, and we drew little more than 15 ft.; moreover Shap-ng-tsai had boasted he would go where English ships dared not follow him. This vaunt I determined to belie. We reached Hoi-how on the 13th, and found the Governor General (Ho) whom I visited at the Capital, in great fear of the Pirates, and with a most friendly feeling to the English nation. He immediately ordered a Mandarin named Wong to proceed with me, taking with him 8 War Junks, and I gave him a passage, to prevent delay, on board the Fury.
On the 16th we reached Chook-shan, which the Pirate Fleet had left 5 days before, and we found the same sad story of towns destroyed, men murdered, and women taken away, that mark his track along the Coast. We fell in with one of his look-out Vessels, which having got into shallow water, was overtaken by the Phlegethon, and destroyed by her boats under the command of Mr Simpson, 1st Officer.
On the 19th we reached Hoo-nong, his reported haunt, and found he had gone about 12 miles further, and I feared we had lost him; but that invaluable Officer Mr Daniel R. Caldwell impressed me so strongly with the correctness of his information, that I decided on a reconnaissance in the Phlegethon in spite of our shortness of fuel; and proceeding into Chokeum for that purpose, on Saturday morning the 20th, saw 37 of the fleet under weigh. From 7 until 4 P.M., like terriers at a rat-hole we hunted for the Channel. Then a pilot managed to escape from the shore. I proceeded in Phlegethon, with Fury astern, Columbine in tow, over the Bar 14 ft. (mud), and at 4.40 had the pleasure of finding all the ships warmly engaged. At 5.5 Shap-ng-tsai's Junk blew up with a tremendous crash, and at 5.30 they had ceased firing. Before 8 o'clock 27 were in flames, and the squadron in position to blockade the river.
On the 21st October, the Steamers and Boats destroyed 24 more; and nine of them gave Lieutenant George Hancock in a Paddle-box boat of Fury, assisted by Captain Moore, R.M. and Mr Close, Acting Mate, with Mr Leao, an opportunity of distinguishing himself. Two large Junks turned to bay, to defend the retreat of the rest, but Mr Hancock so handled his boat and her gun, that after an hour and twenty minutes he had beaten them from their guns, and carried them by boarding without loss, and then pursued and destroyed the other 7.
Mr Hancock's boldness in attacking, and correct judgment in managing this affair, are worthy of the highest praise; and Captain Moore, R.M., Mr N. N. C. Leao, a Brazilian Lieutenant, and Mr F. A. Close, Acting Mate, gave him the greatest assistance.
On Monday the 22nd, I proceeded in Phlegethon and Boats to destroy all that were left. We found that the Mandarins had destroyed 4, and we finished 2 others. The low flat islands at the mouth of the river were at times covered with men deserted from the Junks, yet afraid of the Cochin Chinese, who had assembled in great numbers to attack them. The Ships' boats and small-arm men harassed and destroyed many by constant fire of shell and grape, whilst the Cochin Chinese destroyed and captured the rest.
From the best information it appears that the Fleet consisted of 64 Vessels of War, which may be classed as follows:-
Class No. Guns Crew 1st 1 42 120 2d 16 28 to 34 75 to 80 3d 42 12 to 19 40 4th 5 6 30 Total, 64 1224 3150Of these, 2 small of the 3d class and 4 of the 4th have escaped with Shap-ng-tsai, but without much ammunition; and the Mandarin assures me he will shortly destroy him—now an easy prey. He took with him about 400 men, so that 1700 having been killed, about 1000 more remain to be finished by the Cochin Chinese, who have already sent some prisoners to the Mandarins.
I shall now proceed to Hongkong with all despatch. I have the pleasure of mentioning the exceeding good conduct of the Officers and Men during these laborious and hazardous operations. Their unanimity, willingness, and cheerfulness have made it a most pleasant service, and no plunder, rapine, or misconduct, has tarnished their honour.
Major General Wong, the Mandarin, proved himself a gallant, active, and efficient ally, and I trust his own Government may reward him for his good services. To have Commander Willcox with me, is, I feel, to have success. As a friend and an officer he is unequalled, and his ship is in such good order that I believe there is nothing he could not do. His judgment and gallantry are on an equal footing.
Mr Niblett of the Phlegethon has handled his ship in a bold and determined manner, and has given me every assistance. As I was frequently obliged to be in the Steamers, the command of this Sloop has devolved upon Lieutenant J. H. Bridges, Senior Lieutenant, and he conducted her in action on the 20th with much ability.
Lieutenant Darnell, Senior of the Fury, in command of her boats, has also rendered good service. Captain Moore of the Hastings's marines has assisted me most materially in command of that body. Lieutenant Hancock, and Mr Chambers, Acting Mate, in command of the respective detachments of Hastings's men, have given me much satisfaction, and Mr Rathbone, Midshipman of the Fury, has brought himself into notice for his zeal.
I have also to notice the name of Mr Algernon Wootton, Midshipman, a most promising young Officer, who has acted as my Aide-de-Camp, and been very useful on every occasion.
I have the honour to enclose a List of the Officers employed in the boats*, who I have no doubt would equally have distinguished themselves if they had had the opportunity.
I enclose a Journal of my Proceedings since leaving Hongkong, together with some Hydrographical Remarks compiled by Mr Thomas Kerr, Acting Master of this sloop, which will, I trust, be of service to commerce and navigation in the Gulf of Tonquin, hitherto so little known. Mr Kerr, during all this very hazardous navigation, has proved himself a careful and judicious Officer.
Mr D. R. Caldwell of the Police Force has again proved his talent as a linguist, his intimate knowledge of the Chinese character, and the thorough correctness of his information. To him in a great measure our success is to be attributed.
Mr Soames, Master of the Hongkong Company's Steam Vessel Canton, did his work well as Pilot, as far as he was acquainted with the Coast.
I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant,
JOHN C. DALRYMPLE HAY, Commander.
His Excellency Rear Admiral Sir FRANCIS A. COLLIER, C.B., K.C.H., Commander-in-Chief, &c., &c., &c.
* See next page,
Page 300
Page 301
で
Inclosure. No 1 in. Despatch.
N 155 of 1849.
294
HIER MAJESTY'S S100P Cultmbine, CHOK&UM, Cоcпis-Cmisa, 23 October, 1849. SIR, I have the satisfaction to report to Your Excellency the great success of the expedition you did me the honour to place under my command. 58 Piratical Vessels, mounting about 1200 Guns, and with crews of 3000 men, have been totally destroyed by fire; and, by the blessing of God, without the loss of One life of the Officers and Men under my orders.
After leaving Hongkong on the 8th October, I searched the Harbours of Concock, Sattei, St John's, Mong, Mance, Sungyue, and Tienpak, aud proceeded to Now-chou. From informa- tion received there, I determined to proceed to Hoi-how in Hainan, inside the shoals, and through the Junk passage, for I found good pilots, and junks with 14 ft. draught going through, and we drew little more than 15 ft.; moreover Shap-ug-tzai had boasted he would go where English ships dared not follow him. This vaunt I determined to belie. We reached Hoi-how on the 13th, and found the Governor General (Ho) whom I visited at the Capital, in great fear of the Pirates, and with a most friendly feeling to the English nation, He immediately ordered a Mandarin named Wong to proceed with me, taking with him 8 War Junks, and I gave him a passage, to prevent delay, on hoard the Fury. On the 16th we reached Chook-shan, which the Pirate Fleet had left 5 days before, and we found the same sad story of towns destroyed, men murdered, and women taken away, that mark his track along the Coast. fell in with one of his look-out Vessels, which having got into shallow water, was overtaken by the On Thursday the 13th we Phlegethon, and destroyed by her boats under the command of Mr Simpson, 1st Officer. On the 19th we reached Hoo-nong, liis reported haunt, and found he had gone about 12 miles further, and I frared we had lost him; but that invaluable Officer Mr Daniel R. Caldwell impressed me so strongly with the correctness of his information, that 1 decided on a reconnaissance in the Phlegethon in spite of our shortness of fuel; and proceeding in to Chokeum for that purpose, on Saturday morning the 20th, saw 37 of the fleet under weigh. From 7 until 4 P. M., like terriers at a rathole we hunted for the Channel. Then a l'ilot managed to escape from the shore. I proceeded in Phlegethon, with Fury astern, Columbine in tow, over the Bar 14 ft. (mud), and at 4.40 had the pleasure of finding all the ships warmly engaged. At 5.5 Shap-ng-tsai's Junk blew up with a tremendous crash, and at 5.30 they had ceased firing. Before 8 o'clock 27 were in flames, and the squadron in position to blockade the river. On the 21st October, the Steamers and Boats destroyed 24 more; and nine of them gave Lieutenant George Hancock in a Paddle-box boat of Pury, assisted by Captain Moore, R.M. and Mr Close, Acting Mate, with Mr Leao, an opportunity of distinguishing himself. Two large Junks turned to bay, to defend the retreat of the rest, but Mr Hancock so handled his bout and her gun, that after an hour and twenty minutes he had beaten them from their guns, and carried them by boarding without loss, and then pursued and destroyed the other 7. Mr Hancock's boldness in attacking, and correct judgment in managing this affair, are worthy of the highest praise; and Captain Moore, R.M., Mr N. N. C. Leao, a Brazilian Lieutenant, and Mr F. A. Close, Acting Mate, gave him the greatest assistance. On Monday the 220, I proceeded in Phlegethon and Boats to destroy all that were left. We found that the Mandarins had destroyed 4, and we finished 2 others. The low flat islands at the mouth of the river were at times covered with nen deserted from the Junks, yet afraid of the Cochin Chinese, who had assembled in great numbers to attack them. The Ships" boats and small-arm men harassed and destroyed many by constant fire of shell and grape, whilst the Cochin Chinese destroyed and captured the rest. From the best information it appears that the Fieet consisted of 64 Vessels of War, which may be classed as follows:-
Class.
No.
19t
1
42
2d
16
28 to 34
42 480
3d
42
12 to 19
672
4th
5
G
Total,
30
1224
Cret.
I20
75
40
30
No. of Mex.
120
1200
150
3150
Of these, 2 small of the 3d class and 4 of the 4th have escaped with Shap-'ng-tsai, but without much ammunition; and the Mandarin assures me he will shortly destroy him-now an easy prey. He took with him about 400 men, so that 1700 having been killed, about 1000 more remain to be finished by the Cochin Chinese, who have already sent some prisoners to the Mandarins.
I shall now proceed to Hongkong with all despatch. I have the pleasure of mentioning the exceeding good conduct of the Officers and Men during these laborious and hazardous operations. Their unanimity, willingness, and cheerfulness have made it a most pleasant service, and no plunder, rapine, or misconduct, has tarnished their honour. Major General Wong, the Mandarin, proved himself a gallant, active, and efficient ally, and I trust his own Government may reward him for his good services. To have Conimander Willcox with me, is, I feel, to have success. As a friend and an officer he is unequalled, and his ship is in such good order that I believe there is nothing he could not do. His judgment and gallantry are on an equal footing. Mr Niblett of the Phlegethon has haudled his ship in a bold and determined manner, and has given me every assistance. As I was frequently obliged to be in the Steamers, the command of this Sloop has devalved upon Lieutenant J. H. Bridges, Senior Lieutenant, and he conducted her in action on the 20th with much ability. Lieutenant Darnell, Senior of the Fury, in command of her boats, has also rendered good service. Captain Moore of the Ilastings's marines has assisted me most materially in command of that body. Lieutenant Hancock, and Mr Chambers, Acting Mate, in command of the respective detachments of Hastings's men, have given me much satisfaction, and Mr Rathbone, Midshipman of the Fury, has brought himself into notice for his zeal, I have also to notice the name of Mr Algernon Woot-i ton, Midshipman, a most promising young Officer, who has acted as my Aide-de-Camp, and been very useful on every occasion.
I have the honour to enclose a List of the Officers employed in the boats*, who I have no doubt would equally have distinguished themselves if they had had the opportunity.
I enclose a Journal of my Proceedings since leaving Hongkong, together with soine Hydrogra- phical Remarks compiled by Mr Thomas Kerr, Acting Master of this sloop, which will, I trust, be of service to commerce and navigation in the Gulf of Tonquin, hitherto so little known. Mr Kerr, during all this very hazardous navigation, has proved himself a careful and judicious Officer.
Mr D. R. Caldwell of the Police Force has again proved his talent as a linguist, his intimate knowledge of the Chinese character, and the thorough correctness of his information. To him in a great measure our success is to be attributed.
Mr Soames, Master of the Hongkong Company's Steam Vessel Canton, did his work well as Pilot, as far as lie was acquainted with the Coast.-I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant,
JOHN C. DALRYMPLE HAY,-Commander.
His Excellency Rear Admiral Sir FRANCIS A. COLLIER, C.B., K.Ç.H., Commander-in-Chief, &o, &c., &c.
* See next page,
Page 300Page 301
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