PIRACIES
(Contd.)
A NAVAL ACTION AGAINST PIRATES ·
अंदर 799
One of the most memorable naval actions taken against Chinese pirates in the early days of Hong Kong was the joint British-American attack on Kuhlan in 1855 (see 12-10-34), but an almost equally exciting affair took place five years earlier. I take the following report from the Friend of China and Hong Kong Gazette, of March 6, 1850, relating to the destruction of nine piratical junks by H.M.S. Medea. The old chronicle states:
"We have been favoured by an eye-witness with the following account of the Medea's action with pirates. A smart and well-executed expedition; the time occupied from the first order to get up steam until anchor was dropped on returning to Hong Kong being 28 hours.
"News having been received here from the Mandarin at Cowloon that seventeen pirate junks supposed to be under the command of Tsui-Apoo were lying in a bay about fifty miles off, the Medea was ordered to get under weigh, which we did, leaving this port at 1 o'clock for Cowloon, taking with us Mr. Caldwell with the pinnace and 49 men from the Hastings, viz 24 sailors under command of Lieut. Webber, one Midshipman, one Naval Cadet, one Assistant-Surgeon, and 25 Marines under Lieut. Holland, where we waited a short time to take a Mandarin on board. Commander Lockyer being very anxious if possible to finish the business that night, cracked on all steam and in three hours and forty minutes, viz, at 5 h. 15m. o'clock we found ourselves in presence of 13 pirate junks, four of which appeared to be upward of 250 tons, mounting 10 guns and upwards.
"The piratical fleet were lying in a small bay in the island of Kato, and it was evident they had perceived our approach by our smoke over the land, as on rounding the point we found 12 of the pirates sweeping in, while one remained at anchor. On rounding the point we were all ready for action, bulwarks down and the men at their guns. We immediately opened fire, when the pirates without offering any resistance commenced jumping over-board; we continued our fire and succeeded in killing about 150. Night was falling and Mr. Brodie, the master, was sent to take possession of the junks in shore. The men not having vacated all the junks, some resistance was offered, when Commander Lockyer in his gig with Commander Wainwright, a volunteer, accompanied by Lieut. Webber in the Hastings' pinnace with some Marines under Lieut. Holland, R.M., and Lieut. Gibbons in our cutter, started to render assistance. The pirates were soon driven on shore with considerable loss and five prisoners were taken.
"The night coming down very dark, with a heavy fall of rain, prevented the crews landing to scour the island; the junks, however, were brought out to the steamer, which had been in considerable danger from one of the junks that caught fire having drifted down on her. However, by the exertions of the First Lieut., Mr. Wood, the steamer was kept clear. In the morning, eight of our captures were burned, four were given up to the Mandarin, who restored them to their owners; they had only been recently captured and fitted out for piracy: the proprietors were in the village and were identified by the Mandarin.
"While this was going on, a party of Marines and bluejackets were sent on shore in command of Mr. Gibbons and Mr. Holland, accompanied by Commander Wainwright, the Mandarin, and Mr. Caldwell, to scour the island; the villagers turned out to assist as beaters; but the party only picked up fifteen, the rest of the pirates having seized the fishing boats on the island and made for the mainland during the night. We were informed by the Mandarin that a party of soldiers had been despatched the day before over land from Cowloon; however, not much exertion was to be expected from them, especially
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4.
PIRACIES
(Contd.)
A NAVAL ACTION AGAINST PIRATES ·
अंदर 799
One of the most memorable naval actions taken against Chinese pirates in the early days of Hong Kong was the hoint British-American attack on Kuhlan in 1855 (see 12-10-34), but an almost equally ecciting affair took place five years earlier. I take the following report from the Friend of China and Hong Kong Gazette, of March 6, 1850; relating to the destruction of nien piratical junks by H.M.S. Medea. The old chronicle states:
"We have been favoured by an eye-witness with the following account of the Medea's action with pirates. A smart and well- executed expedition; the time occupied from the first order to get up steam until anchor was dropped on returning to Hong Kong being 28 hours.
"News having been received here from the Mandarin at Cowloon that seventeen pirate junks supposed to be under the command of Tsui- Apoo were lying in a bay about fifty miles off, the Medea was ordered to get under weigh, which we did., leaving this port at 1 o'clock for Cowloon taking with us Mr. Caldwell with the pinnace and 49 men from the Hastings, viz 24 sailors under command of Lieut. Webber one Midshipman, one Naval Cadet, one Assistant-Surgeon, and 25 Marines under Lieut. Holland where we waited a short time to take a Mandarin on board. Commander Lockyer being very anxious if possible to finish the business that night, cracked on all steam and in three hours and forty minutes viz, at 5 h. 15m. o'clock we found ourselves in presence of 13 pirate junks, four of which appeared to be upward of 250 tons, mounting 10 guns and upwards.
"The piratical fleet were lying in a small by in the island of Kato, and it was evident they had perceived our approach by our smoke over the land, as on rounding the point we found 12 of the pirates sweeping in, while one remained at anchor. On rounding the point we were all ready for action, bulwards down and the men at their guns. We immediately opened fire, when the pirates without offering any resistance commenced jumping over-board; we continued our fire and succeeded in killing about 150. Night was falling and Mr. Brodie the master was sent to take possession of the junks in shore. The men not having vacated all the junks some resistance was offered, when Commander Lockyer in his gig with Commander Wainwright a volunteer, accompanied by Lieut. Webber in the Hasting's pinnace with some Marines under Lieut. Holland R.M. and Lieut. Gibbons in our cutter, started to render assistance. The pirates were soon driven on shore with considerable loss and five prisoners were taken.
"The night coming down very dark, with a heavy fall of rain, prevented the crews landing to scour the island; the junks however, were brought out to the steamer, which had been in considerable danger from one of the junks that caught fire having drifted down on her. However, by the exertions of the First Lieut., Mr. Wood, the steamer was kept clear. In the morning eight of our captures were burned, four were given up to the Mandarin, who restored them to their ownere; they had only been recently captured and fitted out for piracy: the proprietors were in the village and were identified by the Mandarin.
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"While this was going on a party of Marines and bluejackets were sent on shore im command of Mr. Gobbons and Mr. Holland, eccompanied by Commander Wainwright. the Mandarin and Mr. Caldwell, to scour the island, the villagers turned out to assist as beaters; but the party only picked up fifteen, the rest of the pirates having seized the fishing boats on the island and made for the mainland during the night. We were informed by the Mandarin that a party of soldiers had been despatched the day before over land from Cowloon however, not much exertion was to be expected from them, especially
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4.
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