Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 171

1842.

Official Reports of Capture of Amoy.

153

We found the batteries and works of defence on the entire sca face, strength. ened by every means that the art of these active people could devise; presenting a succession of batteries and outworks, from the extreme outward points of this ex- tensive bay, until within about three quarters of a mile of the entrance of the har- bor, where a high barrier wall was constructed from the foot of a steep and rocky mountain, to a sandy beach on the sea; and from this latter point, a strong casemat. ed work of granite, faced with occasional small bastions with parapets of stone, to afford flanking defences, was continued to the very suburbs and entrance of the harbor, from whence were masked batteries with sand bags, until opposite the northeastern point of Kúláng sú island, altogether 152 guns. On the island of Kúláng sú, which is the key of Amoy, strong batteries, mounting in all 76 guns, were also placed in every commanding position for flanking the approach to the harbor (which is scarcely half a mile wide at the entrance), and protecting the accessible points of landing.

As it was of the utmost importance with a view to ulterior operations, and the ad- vanced period of the present monsoon, that we should be delayed as short a time as possible at Amoy, it was determined that the batteries within the barrier wall, and on the island of Kú!áng sú, should be immediately attacked by the squadron, and the troops landed within the barrier as soon as it might be practicable to take the batteries in the rear; for this object the Wellesley and Blenheim were ordered to anchor against the strongest batteries on Amoy, and as near the entrance of the harbor as possible, leaving the Cruizer, Pylades, Columbine, and Algerine, to engage the extreme point of the line, and cover the landing of the troops, flanked by the heavy guns of the Scsostris and Queen steam vessels; the Phlegethon and Nem- esis being appointed to receive the troops, and tow in the boats for landing them. The attack of the island of Kú'áng sũ, where we had reason to apprehend the water was shoaler, was assigned to captain Bourchier of the Blonde with the Druid and Modesto, 150 marines under captain Ellis, and a detachment of the 26th regiment under major Johnston. Pending the necessary preparations for disembarking the troops, and moving the ships into their appointed positions, a communication was received from the shore, requesting to know the object of our visit, to which the answer No. 1 was returned. About a quarter past onc, a steady and favorable breeze having set in, the squadron weighed and proceeded to their stations. The Scsostris being the most advanced received a heavy fire before any return was made; she was soon joined by the Queen, and both commenced action with good effect. The Wellesley and Blenheim, after ranging along the line of works on Amoy undor a smart fire, were anchored by the stern about half-past 2 r. ., adınirably placed by captains Maitland and Herbert in 40 fathoms water, within 400 yards of the prin. cipal battery, precisely in the position allotted them: and the Cruizer, Pylades, Co- lumbine, and Algerine, took their stations with equal judgment. The Blonde, Druid, and Modeste reached their positions against the batteries on Kúláng sú, a few minutes earlier, but their captains found such difficulty from the shallowness of the water in placing them satisfactorily, that, to effect this object they very spiritedly carried their ships into almost their own draft. The Bentinck had been appointed to sound the channel ahead of the Wollesley as we ran in, which lieutenant Collin. son very skillfully performed, and then gallantly anchored the brig within the entrance of the harbor, where she was joined by the Sesostris, which was placed by captain Ormsby, in a very judicious situation for relieving her, and the other ships from a flanking fire. The fire of the Chinese soon slackened under the ex

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