CO129-215 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [1-4] — Page 383

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

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of Hongkong with reference to external attack, I have repeatedly pointed out, in a series of despatches, that this so-called "Gibraltar of the East" is at present practically defenceless against any powerful enemy. France has four heavy ironclads and an army of about fifteen thousand (15,000) regular troops, all within three days' distance by steamer from Hongkong; while Russia has a still larger Naval and Military Force at Vladivostock within eight days' distance. England, on the other hand, has only one ironclad (Her Majesty's ship "Audacious"), fit for service in the China seas, and a garrison of about eight hundred (800) regular troops in this open town, without any defensible Fort, or Citadel. If four or five thousand soldiers of any Foreign Power landed at the back of this island, they could, of course, march. There is a small ironclad turret-ship, the "Wivern", kept for the protection of the Harbour of Hongkong; but it has long been laid up in reserve, and is without officers or crew.

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414 11 381 15 of Hongkong with reference to external attack, I have repeatedly pointed out, in a series of despatches, that this so-called "Gibraltar of the East" is at present practically defenceless against any powerful enemy. France has four heavy ironclads and an army of about fifteen thousand (15,000) regular troops, all within three days' distance by steamer from Hongkong; while Russia has a still larger Naval and Military Force at Vladivostock within eight days' distance. England, on the other hand, has only one ironclad (Her Majesty's ship "Audacious"), fit for service in the China seas, and a garrison of about eight hundred (800) regular troops in this open town, without any defensible Fort, or Citadel. If four or five thousand soldiers of any Foreign Power landed at the back of this island, they could, of course, march. There is a small ironclad turret-ship, the "Wivern", kept for the protection of the Harbour of Hongkong; but it has long been laid up in reserve, and is without officers or crew.

Baseline (Original)

414 11 381 15 of Honghong with reference to external attack, I have repeatedly pointed out, in a series of despatches, that this so-called_ "Gibraltar of the East is at present. practically defenceless against any powerful enemy. France has four heavy ironclads and an army of about fifteen thousand (15,000) regular troops, all within three days'é distance by steamer from Hongkong; while Russia has a still larger Naval and Military Force at Madivostock within eight dayo days' distance. England, on the other hand; has only one ironclad (Her Majesty's ship" Audacious"), fit for servicc* in the China seas, and a garrison of about eight hundred (900) regular troops in this open town, without any defensible Fort, or Citadel . If four or five thousand soldiers of any Foreign Yower landed at the back of this island, they could, of course, X were march "There is a small ironclad turret-ship, the "Wivern, Kept for the protection of the Harbour of Hongkong; but it has long been laid up in reserve, and is without officers or crew.

2026-05-24 07:58:49 · Baseline

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414

381

of Honghong with reference to external attack, I have repeatedly pointed out, in a series of despatches, that this so-called_

"Gibraltar of the East is at present. practically defenceless against any powerful enemy. France has four heavy ironclads and an army of about fifteen thousand (15,000) regular troops, all within

three

days'é

distance

by steamer from Hongkong; while Russia has a still larger Naval and Military Force at Madivostock within eight

dayo

days' distance. England, on the other hand; has only one ironclad (Her Majesty's ship" Audacious"), fit for

servicc* in the China seas, and a garrison of about eight hundred (900) regular troops in this open town, without any defensible Fort, or Citadel . If four or five thousand soldiers of any

Foreign Yower

landed at the back of this island, they could, of course,

were

march "There is a small ironclad turret-ship, the "Wivern, Kept for the protection of the Harbour of Hongkong; but it has long been laid up in reserve, and is without officers or crew.

CO129-215 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [1-4] — Page 383

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