CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6] — Page 493

and thus learn to be in

good

humour with England, and, to a large extent, with each other

I have the honour to be,

elby Lord, Your Lordship's Most Obedient Humble Servant,

S.M. Bowen

C

(1)

Enclosure.

The Daily Press.

HONGKONG, JUN 16TH, 1485.

DEATH OF ADMIRAL COURBET.

Vice-Admiral Concbot, the Commander-in- Chief of the French flest in the Far East, died rather suddenly on board bis flagship, the Ba- yard, at Makang, at 11 p.m. on Thursday. The deceased Commander had been very ill with fever some two months ago, but had recovered, and it was only two days before his death that he was again seized with the same malady, to which he rapidly succumbed on this occasion.

The deceased officer, who was 58 years of age, had spent a very active life in the French naval service. He had been noted for his energy, daring, and his uniform success. At the tima he was sent out to this station, during the French conquest of Tonquin, he was regarded by his Government and by the country gener ally as one of the ablest officers connected with the French Navy, and his death will bo felt as a severe loss to the nation. Though very strict in the enforcement of discipline, Admiral Courbet was heloved by the men under his command, and ho also possessed their entire confidence. As he was trusted by his subordinates, he was feared by the Chinese, who had a high opinion of his courage and of his abilities, and it is possible that if his death had occurred a month earlier, peace on the present terms would not have basu so readily conceded by China.

Until his appointment in the Touquin cam paign, Admiral Courbet had never held so high and responsible a position, and it may be said that from that time to the end of the long war he never failed in anything he attempted. It

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was under his command that Sontai was cap. tured, which rendered the taking of Bac-ninb and all the rest of the campaign a comparativo- ly easy matter. Tuough his position as a Naval Officer in command of the military forces in Tonquin was one calculated to Canse much jealousy in the army, the gallant Admiral was regarded by the troops there with no other feelings than those of respect and confidence. When he left the command there in other hands and resumed his legitimata sphere of action, he was next heard of in the River Min, whore he ac- complished a very great success with practically no loss to the French. At Kelung he was not able to do a great deal, owing to the inadequacy of his forces, but he captured the town itself against heavy odds, and not only held it against an ever increasing and most active enemy, bat by subse quent victories improved and enlarged his positions. For the safety of the troops there he was obliged to keep a large portion of his fleet off the town, and those who know the unshelter- ed nature of the roadstead and the nature of the weather there will agree in thinking him most fortunate in suffering no casualty to his ships. The attack on Tamani was not under his command: possibly if it had bosn it would have been managed differently, with perhaps a different result, or perhaps had he been there the attempt would not have been made. Ad- miral Courbet's next saccess was the sinking of two Chinese men-of-war at Shaipoo, and his last achievement was the silencing of the Chinese fortifications at Makung and the capture of the Pescadores, which was done with but very slight loss to the French.

It is to be regretted that after so much good service Admiral Courbet should not have been able to return home to enjoy his honours, but should have fallen a victim to disease at the scene of his latest success.

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