Protests in letters to the Press against the so-called Russian "invasion" of the Colony, remind one that actual invasion of a serious nature was once upon a time possible.
The re were fears of a Russian invasion of the Colony in the Crimean War.
A fortnight after the arrival of Sir John Bowring to assume the Governorship, news came of war against Russia (March 28, 1854). The Governor immediately set off with Admiral Sir James Stirling for Chusan, hoping to intercept the Russian Fleet. It proved a wild-goose chase, however,
because on arrival there it was found that the Russians had left for unknown regions.
Later, there were fears of the Russians descending upon the Colony, and these developed into a panic when Colonel Caine announced the defenceless state of the island and in hot haste ordered batteries to be erected. Nothing came of the scare, however, as the Anglo-French Squadron kept the Russians at bay on the Siberian coast. Hongkong, inspired by these events, later raised £2,500 by public subscription for the Patriotic Fund in London.
885
It is interesting to recall that a Russian Prince was brought into Hongkong as a prisoner during the Crimean War.
This was Prince Michaeloff, who was one of the officers aboard the German brig Greta, which was brought into this port in September, 1855, in charge of the prize crew of H.M.S. Barracouta. On the Greta were 270 Russian officers and men.
These prisoners belonged to the Russian frigate Diana, which was wrecked off the coast of Japan during the war. The Greta had been chartered to convey them from Simoda to Ayan and was captured by Admiral Sir James Stirling. In November, the Vice-Admiralty Court in Hongkong condemned the vessel as a lawful prize of war. The Prince was eventually repatriated on the conclusion of hostilities.
5.
Protests in letters to the Press against the so called Russian "invasion" of the Colony, remind one that actual invasion of a serious nature was once upon a time possible.
The re were fears of a Russian invasion of the Colony in the Crimean War.
A fortnight after the arrival of Sir John Bowring to assume the Governorship, news ceme of war against Russis (March 28, 1854). The Governor immediately set off with Admiral Sir James Stirling for Chusen, hoping to intercept the Russian Fleet. It proved a wild-goose chase, however,
because on arrival there it was found that the Russiens hed left for unknown regions.
Later, there were fears of the Russians descend ing upon the Colony, and these developed into a panic when Colonel Caine announced the defenceless state of the island and in hot haste ordered batteries to be erected. Nothing came of the scare, however, as the Anglo-French Squadron kept the Russians at bay on the Siberian coast. Hongkong inspired by these events, later raised £2,500 by public subscription for the Patriotic Fund in London.
885
It is interesting to recall that a Russian Prince was `brought into Hongkong as a prisoner during the Crimean War.
This was Prince Michaeloff, who was one of the officers aboard the German brig Greta, which was brought into this port in Septem- ber, 1855, in charge of the prize crew of H.M.S. Barracouta. On the Greta were 270 Russian officers and men.
These prisoners belonged to the Russian frigate Diene, which was wrecked off the coast of Japan during the war. The Grete had been chartered to convey them from Simoda to Ayen and wes captured by Admiral Sir James Stirling. In November, the Vice- Admiralty Court in Hongkong condemned the vessel es a lawful prize of war. The Prince was eventually repatriated on the con- clusion of hostilities.
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