723048-1858-GOVERNMENT-NOTIFICATION-NO-40 — Page 3

SEPTEMBER 11, 1858.]

The Honghong Government Gazette.

61

pratical Fighting Junks with guns removed, 1 Cargo Junk, and about 40 Boats nearly all Fast-boats. With the Plover I started in chuse of Fast-boat pulling sixteen Oars, which we did not get possession of until after the crew had got ashore. She was well armed and provi- goed, mounted a 6-por, in the stern. Two other Piratical Fast-boats were likewise discovered and set fire to. The destruction of their favorite stronghold with loss of powder and Ammunition will I trust prevent the Pirates fitting out any vessels of consequence for Piratical purposes for 'so:ue time.

4th September-Proceeded by Kypong Islands, Sammoon and Ling-ting, where we now are.

ILM S. Magicienne,” off Lingting Island, 4th September, 1858.

(Signer,),

NICHOLAS VANŞITTART,

Captain.

HM.S. “Magicienne,”

eff Lingting Island, 4th September,1858,

PLACE.

C

Return of Piratical War Junks, &c., captured by II.M.'s Ships " Magicienne,” Inflexible,” “ Plover,” and "Algerine," on the undermentioned dates, with the number of Cargo Junks and Prisoners retaken from the Pirates, and Casualties in the crews of H.M's Ships.

Pirulent War Jenks destroyed and burst,

CAPTURED Or Destroyed.

Piratical Buat Bo:44 destroyed.

Total No. of Guna spiked or sunk into' Deep Water,

Pirates Captured alive.

RECAPTURED FROM

CASUALTIES AMONGST THE

L'ORATES.

Primera Inken from OFFICERS & MEN!

of HM.'» SIPS.

No..

Suppaed No. of Pirates - killed.

No.nl Cargo Junki released.

Pirates and velstand,

Men.

H'unen.

Skip,

REMARKS,

1958

Aug 28 Lingting Islands,

2

1

59

50

25

23

2

Coulan Bay,......

30

74

50

1

24

1 burnt

26

80

36

190

St. John's Island,

1

10

Off Hawcheun Bluff,

3 St John's,......................... Teywoo-shan.......

5

9

2

19

3

12

2

9

65

1

+24

3)

3

-

...

Sp. 4 Coulan,

2

43

8

1 burnt

***

Totals,..

26

74

236

36

372

6

78

Magicienne Alyerine

Magicienne 8 Inflexible 2

i lover

1 Algerine

Under the Pirate Chief Momema. Upwards of 120 Pirates on this Island. One of the re-captured prisoners was au English. Seamen called Chas. Deacon, late of the Merchant Ship Antelope. Under the Pirate Chief Kowkung- hung. The crews of the Piratical War Juuks escaped to shore; many killed. An armed stockade of 14 guns was captured and destroyed by a night attack.

Under the Pirate Chief Lowcumfat. 38 men on board, nearly all killed,

Under the Pirate Chief Ynongkong- poo. Prisoners handed over to Mandarin Authorities,

Under the Pirate Chief Tungliai. Under the Pirate Chief Cheepoo, whe was killed in the affair. This vessel offered resistance for.up- wards of an hour, wounding with stinkpots, gingalis, &c., 8 of the 9 menin Magicienne's Captain's Gig. Recaptured the same liberated

Coulan. Guns removed-Pirates warned by the fight of the previous evening.

at

24 re-captured a second time.

54

(Signed,)

14

NICHOLAS VANSITTART,

Captain.

II.M.'S GUN-BOAT Plover, SANDY BAY, 29th Augu

J.

gun

SIR,-I have the honour to aequaint you, that in obedience to your orders, I proceeded with the Plover and Algerine to Samtong Bay ere nothing was met with beyond a few fishing and trading boats, but from whom I gained information of pirates having been there on the ious evening, but had left during the ngat in the direction of Gunjavar Channel; upo. which I considered I should not be departing from instructions in following them up, which I did, searching the whole of the western shore of Haweheun Island, without seeing anything icious until we arrived at Ilawchean Bluff, when we suddenly opened six piratical Junks standing in line towards the share, which from tir appearance as to tonnage and cut of sails, quite agreed with the information we had rece ved at Samtong. As we approached within

fire was opened immediately on both sides, Lieutenant Arthur in the Algerine taking the right extreme of the line, while the 'loner the left, to prevent their reaching the shore, firing continually on both sides for many minutes, when the men jumped overboard from the ks and made for the shore, a few escaping in their small bosts, leiving us in possession of the Junks, which were as speedily as possible chored, guns

thrown overboard, and set fire to, in which we were very much assisted by the joining of the Inflexible and Magiciennes toats Lieutenant Soady, as every assistance was given by Commander Brooker in destroying the Junks, whica being completed in obe lience structions from Commander Brooker I proceeded with the Algerine, to examine Namoa Harbour and the channel leading between the hands of Hawcheun, Wasp, Cricket, and Dipachou, when I rejoined the Magicienne. I am happy to say that the captures were effected thout a single man being wounded on our side, though the fire at times was heavy. As far as I ain able to learn, upwards of eighty guns *ere destroyed.

In conclusion I beg to bring to your notice, the very cordial co-operation I received from Lieutenant Arthur in the Algerine, and the and accurate fire kept up by the Gun-boats r. flects the highest credit on both men and officers. I further think it my duty to b. ing to ur notice Mr John Puillips, Second Master of the Plover, who conducted the vessels through most intricate channels in a manner which wed great judgment and ability. The Interpreter sent by Mr Caldwell, Registrar General, proved of great value in obtaining information i unaking himself generally useful.

Hoping that our proceedings will meet with your approval,

I have, &c., &C.,

Captain N. VANSITTART, C.B.,

H.M.'s Ship Magicienne,

True Copies,

H. F. HANCE.

(Signed,)

ROBERT WYNNIATT,

Lieutenant Cominandi-g.