place, accompanied by Samqua, another Hong merchant
of repute, and two linguists.
The journey from Canton to the province of Che
keang, or rather to that part of it in which their ser
vices might be required, Hang - chow -foo, or Soo -chow
foo, a distance of upwards of six hundred geogra
phical miles, was no pleasing task in the middle of
342 THE HONG MERCHANTS.
summer, particularly in a country where the only mode
of travelling is in sedan chairs . However, they were
compelled to go ; but were as speedily sent back again,
without having been permitted to hold any communi
cation whatever with any of our high officers. Indeed ,
Sir Henry Pottinger had long before so positively re
fused to receive both the Hong merchants and the Pre
fect of Canton, that it is surprising how any further
expectation could have been formed that their services
would be required.
While speaking of the Hong merchants, it is worth
mentioning that about this time notice was sent by the
aged Howqua to the foreign residents at Canton, that
there was reason to believe that some of the wells had
been poisoned, and that there were venders of poisoned
provisions about the streets . Whether the report was
true or not, the diabolical purpose was thus frustrated,
and no bad results followed .
We must now return to the operations of our forces,
subsequently to the capture of Chapoo. Fortunately,
the health of the troops had been good , during their
ten days' stay on shore, so that nearly the whole force
was in a condition to take part in the projected ope
rations in the Yangtze river. Lieutenant- Colonel Tom
linson, whose death was so much lamented by all his
brother officers, was buried at sea, soon after Chapoo
was taken, being carried out in the Phlegethon, as it
was feared that, if a grave were dug for him on shore,
his remains might be taken up by the Chinese, and a
great boast made of their having killed one of the high
English officers.
YANGTZE RIVER. 343
On the 27th May, a great part of the troops were
embarked on board the different transports, and . the
remainder on the following morning, when the whole
fleet got under weigh. On the 29th, they anchored in
a safe and extensive sound, which had been discovered
by Captains Kellett and Collinson, at the Rugged
Islands, about forty miles to the eastward of Chapoo.
Some days were spent at this anchorage, in order that
a proper channel into the Yangtze river for large ves
sels might be carefully examined. During this interval,
the Admiral took an opportunity of revisiting Chusan,
in the H. C. steamer Pluto, which had just arrived
from England, together with the small iron steamer
Ariadne, from Bombay.
On the 5th June, the whole fleet stood up towards
the entrance of the river, but their progress was much
delayed by the great strength of the tides, and also by
fogs, so that they did not reach the appointed rendez
vous off the Amherst rocks, (a little to the eastward of
the mouth of the river) until the 8th, having always
been obliged to anchor at night.
A further delay now occurred , while the Modeste,
with the Nemesis and Pluto steamers, were detached to
intercept the communications up the river, and to re
connoitre the defences of Woosung. A large fleet of
trading junks was soon espied near the latter place,
and the Nemesis was ordered to give chase, and bring
them to. She very soon got ahead of them and cut
them off, obliging them to anchor immediately. Some,
however, persisted in holding their course, until several
shots had been fired across their bows. The junkmen
344 SINGULAR DISCOVERY.
appeared terribly frightened, although Mr. Gutzlaff,
who was on board the Nemesis, assured them that they
would receive no injury, and would be allowed to de
part again, as soon as their cargoes had been examined.
One, however, still refused to come to anchor, until two
shots had been sent completely through his vessel. On
boarding her, the cause of the obstinacy was soon dis
covered. There were a number of Chinese or Tartar
ladies on board, one of whom, a handsome young person ,
was sitting with a child in her arms, which she pressed
closely to her bosom, in the most forlorn attitude, near
the stern of the vessel. Fortunately no one on board
had been wounded by the shot ; but among other things
which attracted attention were a number of coffins,
which it was at first conjectured might be filled with
valuable property of various kinds, which they were
thus endeavouring to carry off without discovery.
One of them was soon opened, when it was found
to contain literally what it was intended for ; and it
was hence supposed that these unhappy people might
have escaped from Chapoo, and carried their dead with
them .
A great number of junks were found laden with
the most beautiful fish, very carefully packed in ice,
probably destined for Nankin , and for places along
the imperial canal ; but it is remarkable that none of
these cargoes were fallen in with afterwards higher up
the river ; which tended to prove that there were innu
merable canals by which they could convey their pro
duce into the interior, without proceeding up the main
river beyond a certain point , thereby avoiding the
UNEXPECTED LUXURY. 345
delays occasioned by the currents, and the dangers of
the navigation. This excellent opportunity of getting
well supplied with fish and ice was not allowed to pass
unheeded , but none of the junks were detained beyond
a few hours. One junk, however , was always kept
back, until another made its appearance ; but, as it was
impossible for strangers to distinguish at a distance the
kind of junks which were loaded with such a welcome
cargo, every captain was made to understand that he
would have to supply fish and ice for the use of the
steamer, until he could point out another junk coming
up the river with a similar cargo, which was then to
take his place, and he was to be liberated. In this
way, one continued to succeed the other. This hint
was quite sufficient to put the fellows in excellent
humour. It was curious to observe what a sharp look
out they kept, frequently climbing up to the mast-head to
see if their longed -for substitute was approaching. The
one who last arrived soon reconciled himself to this fate
very good-naturedly, when informed by his predecessor
that no great harm would be done to him . They all,
however, seemed very glad to get away, the moment
permission was given to them, and refused all kind of
payment when offered . Fresh fish of the best quality,
and plenty of ice to cool the wine and beer, were unex
pected luxuries.
At Woosung, Captain Watson, with the Modeste,
which was anchored just out of range of the batteries,
was occupied for several days in sounding the channel,
and was assisted in this duty by the Pluto, under Lieu
tenant Tudor. They were ordered to reconnoitre the
346 RECONNOITRING .
mouth of the Woosung river, (which empties itself into
the Yangtze about twenty -five miles up its southern
branch ) preparatory to the grand attack upon the
batteries.
The night of the 11th of June was particularly dark
and rainy, and the opportunity appeared singularly
favourable for making a close reconnoissance of the bat
teries. The Modeste lay some way off shore, and the
tide was running so strong that it was impossible for
Captain Hall, who had anchored the Nemesis much
nearer in, to communicate with his senior officer, Captain
Watson, concerning the plan which he proposed for
reconnoitring the batteries. About two hours before
midnight, the cutter of the Nemesis was ordered away ,
manned and armed, to make a close examination of the
batteries, and of the channel leading into the Woosung
river, which the former were principally designed to
protect.
Having carefully sounded the channel, Captain Hall
boldly pushed in as quietly as possible, towards the front
of the batteries ; and being favoured by the boisterous
weather, he landed on the beach without being dis
covered. He could now distinguish the Chinese sentry
quite near him ; and on looking through one of the
embrasures, he could see one of the military mandarins
on duty, going his rounds along the battery, attended
by two armed soldiers, one of whom carried a large
paper lantern before him, which threw a strong light in
his face, and prevented him of course from seeing ob
jects, even at a very short distance from him . It was
evident, therefore, that the Chinese were upon the alert ;
LOSS OF THE ARIADNE . 347
and it would have been very easy , with the help of the
boat's crew, to have made prisoners both of the man
darin and the two soldiers, before the alarm could have
been given .
After three hours' examination, and a heavy pull
against the rapid current which prevails there, the boat
of the Nemesis got back to the vessel ; and on the fol
lowing day she rejoined the Admiral off the Amherst
rocks. It was about this time that the little Ariadne
steamer, having been sent to ascertain the exact posi
tion of a rock lying off the mouth of the Yangtze,
unfortunately ran directly upon it, and was bilged. A
sail was immediately passed under her bottom , to cover
the leak, and she was towed by the Sesostris into
Chusan harbour, where, owing to some unforeseen acci
dent, she afterwards went down in deep water, and all
attempts to get her up again failed.
On the 13th, Sir William Parker in the Cornwallis,
accompanied by the Blonde, Columbine, Jupiter troop
ship, and the Phlegethon , Tenasserim, and Medusa,
steamers, together with twelve transports, got under
weigh from the anchorage off Amherst rocks, and suc
ceeded in reaching the mouth of the Woosung river,
without any accident whatever. The Clio, Bentinck
(since called Plover), Starling, and two transports, had
been stationed as beacon-vessels, to mark the proper
channel ; which however was so shallow , that for a part
of the distance there was little more water (only a few
feet,) than the actual draught of the Cornwallis.
On the following day , the Admiral and the General
proceeded in the Medusa steamer, the smallest which
348 THE WOOSUNG RIVER .
was under his command since the loss of the Ariadne,
and jocularly christened the Pilot Fish, to make a close
reconnoissance of the whole line of defences extending
along both sides of the Woosung river.
It is here necessary to bear in mind the relative posi
tion of the Woosung river in respect to the Yangtze, in
order to avoid confusion in reading the account of the
operations. The former empties itself into the latter
on its right bank, and the village or small town of
Woosung, which contains nearly five hundred houses,
stands at its mouth. This place was visited by Mr.
Medhurst, during his missionary tour up the coast of
China in 1835 , and the people were there found to be
remarkably civil and well disposed .
The breadth of the river at its entrance may be about
a mile, but the channel for vessels of moderate burden
is somewhat intricate, and scarcely more than three
hundred yards wide. The course of the river runs
nearly north and south, and, as it joins the great Yang
tze, its banks gradually widen out, until they are soon
lost in the banks of the larger river. The principal
line of defence was situated along its western bank,
running from the upper end of the village of Woosung
for a distance of full three miles along the river's
mouth, and curving gradually round towards the banks
of Yangtze river.
The town of Paoushan is situated nearly two miles in
the rear of the batteries at that end. This long line
of embrasures mounted not less than one hundred and
thirty-four guns ; but they were generally a great deal
too wide, and the battery was constructed of earth ,
DEFENCES OF WOOSUNG . 349
very much like the works already described at Chusan.
Stakes were driven in along the front to protect it from
the sudden landing of troops, and probably to secure
the banks from the effects of inundations.
Just above the village of Woosung, and skirting it
on its southern side, was a large creek or canal, com
municating with the river, and protected by a strong
semicircular stone battery regularly built, and mount
ing ten brass 24-pounder guns. From its position, it
served to defend the river itself, for it commanded the
whole reach, as well as the mouth of the creek.
On the eastern side of the river, opposite Woosung,
stood a strong fort principally built of brick, nearly of
a circular form , and from its elevation calculated to
have a long range. It was flanked by a line of em
bankments, with embrasures not yet completed, but
mounting altogether twenty-one guns. There were
one hundred and seventy -five guns mounted for the
defence of Woosung . But it was not the number of
guns which constituted the strength of its defences .
The choicest Tartar troops had been collected at this
point , who were prepared to defend it obstinately . They
worked their guns with great spirit, and kept up a
better sustained fire than they had done on any previous
occasionl ; and when their principal line of battery was
turned by the movement of a body of seamen and
marines upon their flank , they defended themselves
with remarkable obstinacy and courage, and did not
hesitate to measure the sword with the cutlass, or to
cross the spear with the bayonet.
There was some difficulty in finding a spot where
350 ATTACK ON WOOSUNG .
troops could be disembarked with a view to turn the
position, for the water shoaled to three feet, within two
hundred yards of the banks, and the disembarkation
could only be effected under cover of the guns of our
ships. One spot was pointed out near the centre of the
battery, between Woosung and Paoushan, but the prac
ticability of it was at first doubtful. But this difficulty
was afterwards set at rest by the landing of the marines
and blue jackets under Captain Bourchier at that point.
The only other alternative was to land the troops high up,
towards the extremity of the line of works above Paou
shan, and then occupy that town.. There was every proba
bility, however, that the engagement would be almost
entirely confined to the naval branch of the expedition.
On the morning of the 16th, both the tide and the
state of the weather being favourable, the Admiral de
termined that the attack should be made without
further delay, and ordered that the ships should be
towed into action by the steamers, so that they would
be enabled to take up the precise positions allotted to
them . There were five steamers ready for the service,
besides the little Medusa, which was reserved to meet
any unforeseen contingency. It was the first action in
which the ships of war were all towed into their ap
pointed stations. The little Algerine was the only
exception, as she was directed to get in as near as pos
sible, under sail. Even the North Star, Captain Sir E.
Home, which only came in sight just as the action had
already commenced, was towed in by the Tenasserim,
which, after placing the Blonde in her proper position ,
was sent out on purpose to fetch her.
ATTACK ON WOOSUNG . 351
The Cornwallis and Blonde, being the two heaviest
ships, were to take up their positions in front of the
batteries, just below the village of Woosung, and the
light squadron was then to pass them and proceed up
the river to attack the village, and the battery at the
mouth of the creek above it, and also the circular bat
tery on the opposite or east side of the river. The light
squadron consisted of the Modeste, Columbine, and
Clio, towed respectively by the Nemesis, Phlegethon ,
and Pluto.
The channel had been buoyed off the previous night,
and two junks had been moored so as to mark the en
trance, on the eastern side of which there ran out a
long sand bank. The Chinese, far from offering any
opposition to the boats employed to lay down the buoys,
encouraged them with a cheer of defiance. But the
little Medusa steamer was immediately carried as close
in shore as possible, assisted by several guard-boats,
to prevent any attempt of the Chinese to remove the
buoys before the ships proceeded to take up their
stations .
At the dawn of day on the 16th all the ships of
war got under weigh, and by six o'clock they were in
tow of their respective steamers. In this instance,
and indeed throughout all the operations in the north
of China, under Sir William Parker, the steamers were
always lashed alongside the vessels they had to tow,
instead of going ahead. This plan was found to
answer remarkably well in the intricate navigation of
the Yangtze river, as the movements of both vessels
were more easily managed . The Blonde, towed by the
352 ATTACK ON WOOSUNG .
Tenasserim , led in towards the batteries ; the Corn
wallis followed, bearing the Admiral's flag, and lashed
alongside of the Sesostris. This post of honour was
assigned to the Blonde, because, as soon as the light
squadron had passed up the Woosung, she would have
been nearer at hand to support them, if necessary .
The Blonde and Cornwallis received the fire of the
Chinese, which was opened with great spirit, without
returning a shot, until they had anchored by the stern
in excellent positions. The light squadron then passed
them , except the little Algerine, which could not follow
the rest under sail, and therefore brought up a little
astern of the Admiral's ship.
The Modeste, under Captain Watson, who commanded
the light squadron, was towed by the Nemesis up the
river in gallant style, boldly dashing in towards the creek
above the village of Woosung, and receiving a severe
and well-directed fire from the whole line of batteries,
but more particularly from the battery of ten brass
guns situated at the corner of the creek, the approach
to which, as before described, it commanded. Both of
these vessels suffered a good deal, in executing this
bold man @ uvre ; and in order to shelter the men , they
were all ordered to lie down at quarters, on board the
Nemesis, until the Modeste had been placed in a good
position . The fire of the Chinese was severe and well
directed .
Some way further up the river, fourteen war-junks
were in sight, and also five large newly-built wheel
boats, each moved by four wooden paddle -wheels.
These vessels also opened fire, but at such a distance
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ATTACK ON WOOSUNG . 353
that their shot fell short. The Columbine, towed by
the Phlegethon, and the Clio by the Pluto, followed
their gallant leader up the river towards the creek.
In the mean time, the North Star was observed just
coming up towards the mouth of the river, and the Te
nasserim steamer, which had just cast off the Blonde,
was now sent out to tow her into action, and she was
placed just ahead of the Blonde.
The Nemesis cast off the Modeste as soon as she had
carried her up to the mouth of the creek, and within
musket- shot of the ten gun -battery, and then opened
fire with her foremost gun upon the war -junks, and with
her after -gun upon the battery itself. The junks re
turned the fire as the Nemesis advanced towards them ,
but the moment she came within range of grape and
canister, the Chinese Commodore, or Admiral, set the
example of running away, which all the rest were glad
enough to follow . They now made for the shore the
best way they could, each trying which could reach it
the quickest, but the wheel-boats had a decided advan
tage, and were moved through the water at the rate of
about three and a half knots an hour. Grape and
canister was now poured into them as fast as the guns
could be loaded . The confusion among the Chinese
sailors was great : some took to their boats or sampans,
others jumped overboard , and tried to swim ashore, and
a few of these must have been drowned .
The wheel-boats were, as a matter of curiosity, the
first boarded, and it was afterwards ascertained that
they were each commanded by a mandarin of high rank ;
which marks the importance they gave to them . These
VOL . II . AA
354 ATTACK ON WOOSUNG .
wheel-junks were fitted with two paddle-wheels on either
side, strongly constructed of wood. The shaft, which
was also of wood, had a number of strong wooden cogs
upon it, and was turned by means of a capstan, fitted
also with cogs, and worked round by men . The ma
chinery was all below, between decks, so that the men
were under cover. They were all quite newly-built,
and carried some two, some three, newly-cast brass guns,
besides a number of large ginjals. A quantity ofmatch
locks, spears, swords, &c., were also found on board .
In pursuing two of the largest junks too close in
shore, the Nemesis took the ground when the tide was
falling. The Phlegethon came up at this time, and tried
to tow her off, but without success, and she, therefore,
stuck fast for some hours. But the boats were sent
away manned and armed under Mr. Galbraith, with
orders to capture and destroy the rest of the junks
which were floating about the river, deserted by their
crews . Other boats were sent to destroy those which
had been run ashore, but it was seen from the mast-head
that the Chinese were lying in wait to cut them off
among the scattered trees and buildings by the river
side ; and they were, therefore, ordered not to go out of
gun -shot from the steamer.
The Phlegethon, under Lieutenant M'Cleverty, took
part in the destruction of the junks, and out of the
whole fleet only two war -junks escaped. Three wheel
boats and one junk were afterwards towed down the
river to the fleet, but the rest were set on fire and de
stroyed .
To return to the advanced squadron. As soon as the
ATTACK ON WOOSUNG , 355
Modeste was cast off from the Nemesis, sail was made,
and she was carried alongside a wharf or small jetty
within the creek, close to the village of Woosung. The
ten gun -battery opposite kept up its fire upon her, but,
under cover of a broadside, the Modeste was made fast
to the jetty. In this position she soon silenced the
fort with her larboard-guns and small arms, and received
little damage from the fire of the enemy, because they
could not depress their guns enough to bear upon her
with effect, so close was she.
The pinnace was now sent ashore, manned and armed ,
to take possession of the fort, and there was some skir
mishing with the rear guard of the Chinese who were
retreating. Mr. Birch, with a party of seamen , was at
the same time ordered to spike the guns ; and at this
moment the Columbine, followed by the Pluto steamer ,
came up, and poured in a well-directed fire upon the
column of the retreating enemy.
During all this time, the Cornwallis, Blonde, and
North Star were hotly engaged with the batteries,
abreast of which they were anchored, and soon made
the Chinese slacken their fire. Perceiving this, Captain
Watson boldly determined to land, with the marines and
small-arm men of the Modeste, Columbine, and Clio,
within the creek, in the hope of being able to turn the
enemy's flank next the village, and also cut off their re
treat. A body of the Chinese were observed lying
down under cover of the embankment, apparently in
readiness to meet their enemy. Captain Watson now
formed his men , and gallantly dashed on towards the
Chinese, but had to cross a deep canal, over which there
A A 2
356 ATTACK ON WOOSUNG .
were several small wooden bridges, in the rear of the
works.
The Chinese received them with a heavy fire of
matchlocks and ginjals, but gradually retreated as Cap
tain Watson advanced, and fell back upon their main
body, who now showed a most determined front, and
deliberately planted their ginjals directly in the only
path by which they could be approached. Captain
Watson had already ten of his men wounded ; and,
finding his party getting a little straggled, he drew
them outside of the line of embankment, in order to
form them again . The Chinese now came boldly out,
brandishing their spears in defiance ; and threw a volley
of hand grenades upon them , which fortunately went
over their heads.
At this moment, Captain Bourchier, seeing Captain
Watson's party hotly engaged with the Chinese, who
were much their superiors in numbers, dashed on shore
from the Blonde, directly in front of the battery; and
at the same moment Captain Watson's party made a
rush at the enemy, who stood their ground so firmly,
that for the second time the spear and the bayonet were
crossed, and no one who witnessed the obstinacy and
determination with which the Chinese defended them
selves could refuse them full credit for personal bravery.
They were now driven back under cover of some houses,
where they rallied .
By this time the marines and seamen of the Blonde
and Cornwallis were landed nearly opposite those ves
sels, under Captain Bourchier, Captain Peter Richards,
and Sir Everard Home, and joined Captain Watson .
ATTACK ON WOOSUNG . 357
Sir William Parker also landed ; and, as soon as the
men were all formed, they succeeded in driving the
enemy out of the whole line of batteries. A small
party from the Algerine, under Lieutenant Maitland,
boldly landed before they could be well supported, and
were a little cut up.
The Sesostris in the mean time had been closely en
gaged with the strong fort on the eastern side of the
entrance of the river, where she took the ground in such
a position that she was able to bring her guns to bear,
so as soon to silence the enemy, when Captain Ormsby
landed at the head of aa body of small-arm men from the
Sesostris and Tenasserim , and took possession of the
fort.
The troops were not landed in time to take any part
in the engagement, for most of the steamers had taken
the ground, and it was not until past twelve o'clock that
there were any means of putting the troops ashore. Sir
Hugh Gough then landed just opposite the Cornwallis,
and determined to advance immediately upon the town
of Paoushan in the rear, towards which it was under
stood a large body of the Chinese had fled , together
with the governor of the provinces. Major-General
Schoedde was now ordered to move forward , so as to get
in the rear of the town, in hopes of cutting off the
enemy who might be retreating in that direction ; while
Sir Hugh Gough, with the rest of the force, reinforced
by the naval brigade, moved along the river -batteries.
On reaching Paoushan, it was found already in the
possession of Major-General Schoedde's brigade, which
had entered it without opposition ; the soldiers and a
358 KILLED AND WOUNDED .
great part of the inhabitants flying out of it in great
consternation . The walls of the town were not found
to be in very good repair, but they mounted about fifty
guns, of which seventeen were brass. The main body
of the Chinese were ascertained to have fled in the di
rection of Soochow- foo.
The number of killed and wounded , on the Chinese
side, was less than might have been expected , probably
not exceeding altogether a couple of hundred ; but
among them was the commander-in-chief of the Chinese
troops. On our side, one officer (Lieutenant Hewitt,
R.M.) and one seaman, were killed ; and among the
wounded were Mr. Purvis, midshipman of the Blonde ;
Mr. A. J. Smith, mate, and Mr. Roberts, master of the
Sesostris ; together with fifteen seamen , one corporal,
and five royal marines, and one Bombay artilleryman,
most of them severely, and several dangerously wounded.
Many large and well -made guns were captured, par
ticularly some newly -cast brass guns, of great length .
Some of the best and heaviest guns were mounted upon
the ten -gun fort, at the point of the creek where the
Modeste was so hotly engaged . But the greater part of
the guns were of small calibre, and about one - half of the
whole number captured were 6-pounders, or under. The
largest were 24 -pounders, and there were a good many
varying from 10 to 18 -pounders. About two hundred
and fifty guns were captured altogether, including those
taken at Paoushan ; of these, forty -two were brass.
There was one very curious iron gun , of a peculiar
shape, being very small at the muzzle, and very large
from the middle to the breech . It was of Chinese cast
VESSELS ENGAGED . 359
ing, and had an inscription on it, which showed that it
was upwards of three hundred years old. There was
also another curious old gun , with the arms of Spain
upon it. Besides the above, a number of large ginjals
and matchlocks, together with military stores of all
kinds, were discovered and destroyed ; and to these
must also be added the guns destroyed in the war
junks.
The Chinese were not prepared to expect the com
plete defeat they sustained at Woosung. The great
extent of their preparations for defence, the determined
resistance they offered, and the improvements they had
adopted in the form and casting of their guns, and in
the construction of their junks, sufficiently indicate the
importance which they attached to the defence of this
position. Precisely in proportion to their previous ex
1
Names of Her Majesty's and the Honourable Company's vessels, and
· of their Commanders, engaged at Woosung, June 16th, 1843.
Cornwallis ..... 72 Captain P. Richards.
Blonde 42 Captain F. Bourchier.
North Star 26 Captain Sir J. E. Horne, Bart .
Modeste ...... 18 Commander R. B. Watson.
Columbine 16 Commander William H. Morshead
Clio 16 Commander E. N. Troubridge.
Algerine 10 Lieutenant William Maitland.
HONOURABLE COMPANY'S STEAMERS.
Sesostris Commander Ormsby, I.N.
Nemesis Lieutenant W. H. Hall, R.N.
Phlegethon Lieutenant J. J. M'Cleverty, R.N.
Pluto ....
Lieutenant John Tudor, R.N.
Tenasserim Master commanding, P. Wall.
Medusa Lieutenant H. Hewitt, I. N.
360 RECONNOISSANCE .
pectations were the disappointment and panic produced
by their defeat.
Information was obtained , through Mr. Gutzlaff, that
the Chinese were removing their property and families
from the important commercial town of Shanghai, situ
ated about fourteen miles up the Woosung river ; from
which place it was known that there was very extensive
water- communication with some of the most important
districts and cities of China .
No time was to be lost in taking advantage of the
prevailing panic ; and, accordingly, on the day after the
capture of Woosung, the Nemesis and Medusa steamers
were sent up, with Captain Kellett on board, for the
purpose of sounding the channel, and to ascertain what
defences the Chinese had constructed higher up. The .
deepest channel was found to run along the left bank
for about two miles, and then to cross over towards the
right bank, by keeping which on board there was water
enough for a frigate at half - flood .
About seven miles up, they came in sight of two
forts, one on either side of the river. One of these
fired off all its guns at the two steamers, but the shot
fell far short. Soon afterwards a blaze was seen to
burst out in each of the forts, and, on inquiry, it was
found that the Chinese had set the buildings on fire,
and then abandoned the works. Being ordered not to
proceed further than this point, the two steamers re
joined the Admiral, in order to report the result of the
reconnoissance .
The same afternoon , the Modeste, Columbine, and
Clio, towed as before by the Nemesis, Phlegethon, and
FORTS CAPTURED . 361
Pluto, were sent up the river, under the command of
Captain Watson , with orders to place them near the
two batteries, but out of their range, and then to land
and destroy the guns, if the Chinese were found to have
abandoned them .
On the morning of the 18th , these orders were skil
fully executed ; but the Clio unfortunately grounded ,
and, as the tide was falling, could not be towed off.
Captain Watson landed with the marines and small -arm
men of the Modeste and Columbine, and took possession
of the forts which had been abandoned. In the larger
fort on the right bank were found forty -one guns, eight
of which were brass ; and, in the opposite fort, fourteen
guns, of which likewise eight were brass, or, more pro
perly speaking, of copper. Many of these were found
dismounted , and the carriages taken away. The tents
and buildings had been already destroyed. Higher up
the river eight war-junks were discovered, which were
set on fire and destroyed, except one, in which the cop
per guns, captured in the forts, were put on board and
sent down the river.
Reinforcements had now arrived to join both arms of
the expedition, but were just too late to take part in
the action at Woosung. H. M. S. Dido, Honourable
Captain Keppell, arrived the very evening after the en
gagement ; and, on the next day, the 2nd regiment
Madras Native Infantry, and detachments of Artillery,
with Sappers and Miners, also joined the forces under
Sir Hugh Gough .
The 19th was the day fixed for the capture of Shang
hai, for which purpose one column of our troops was
362 CAPTURE OF SHANGHAI.
to march by land , under Lieutenant- Colonel Mont
gomerie, M.A., consisting of about one thousand men,
including the 18th and 49th regiments, with detach
ments of the Madras horse artillery and the royal
artillery, with sappers and miners. The rest of the
troops were embarked in the Tenasserim , Nemesis,
Phlegethon, and Pluto steamers, which took in tow
respectively the North Star, Modeste, Columbine, and
Clio. The marines of the squadron were also taken up
in the little Medusa ; and Sir William Parker and Sir
Hugh Gough, with their staff, accompanied by Captains
Bourchier, Richards, Keppel, and other officers, pro
ceeded up the river in that vessel .
They passed the deserted batteries, and met with no
opposition until they came within sight of the city, 1
where a long, well -constructed battery, situated below
the town on the same or the left bank of the river,
opened fire on the North Star and the other vessels, as
they approached , but at such a distance as to do no
damage. A couple of broadsides from the North Star
and Modeste, with a few shot from the Tenasserim and
Nemesis, sufficed to drive the Chinese out of the works.
Captain Bourchier, with the seamen and marines, im
mediately landed and took possession of the battery,
upon which no less than forty- nine guns were found
mounted, seventeen of which were of copper.
The steamers conveying the troops soon reached the
city of Shanghai, where the 55th regiment was landed
from the Nemesis, upon a small jetty, without the
necessity of using boats ; another instance of the great
utility of flat-bottomed , iron steamers. The city had 1
CAPTURE OF SHANGHAI . 363
been already taken possession of by the column under
Colonel Montgomerie, without resistance, and many of
the respectable inhabitants were hurrying off in great
consternation, while the low rabble had, as usual, com
menced their work of robbery and destruction the
moment the authorities left the place.
Colonel Montgomerie's column had met with no
opposition during its advance, and but little difficulty,
except occasionally in crossing the guns over the narrow
water-courses. They passed close in the rear of the
fort which had opened on the ships, without seeing it ;
but, upon hearing the firing, they hastened on to the
city, in the belief that the sound of the firing came from
that direction . A large body of the Chinese, however,
was observed in full retreat, and a few rockets were
thrown among them to basten their flight; but, owing
to the many water -courses, and the swampy nature of
the rice grounds, it was impossible to come to close
quarters with them.
On reaching the north gate of the city, there ap
peared to be no preparations made for resistance, and
the only two guns which could be seen mounted at the
gateway looked harmless enough. In fact, there was
no one at the gate ; and two or three of our men, having
contrived to get over the wall, soon opened the gate,
and admitted the rest. It was now discovered that the
place had been abandoned by the authorities the pre
vious evening. The people generally showed no ill
feeling towards the foreigners, but rather an inclination
to conciliate their good offices.
The city, which, though wealthy, and of more agree
364 CAPTURE OF SHANGHAI .
able aspect than most other Chinese towns which had
been visited, was not given up to plunder; indeed , Sir
Hugh Gough used every means in his power to prevent
the commission of any excesses whatever. Very little
plunder, or, as it was called, “ loot,” was obtained, and
was almost entirely limited to curiosities. There was
no wanton aggression. Many of the houses were found
deserted, and these were the only ones which suffered,
except where downright robbery was coinmitted by the
gangs of Chinese plunderers.
Every effort was made to put a stop to these abo
minable proceedings ; and some of the most respectable
inhabitants were called upon to take charge of a few
of the large deserted establishments, particularly the
pawnbrokers’ shops, which , in all Chinese towns, are
establishments of enormous extent. This fact may , at
first view, be taken to indicate great fluctuations in
respect to wealth or poverty ; but this is not the case.
These immense warehouses are frequently made use of
to deposit articles of value, such as furs and other costly
things, which are by this means well preserved and
taken care of, until required for use ; and, in the
interim , the owners have the use of a portion of the
value of the articles.
As soon as the city was taken possession of, and
guards placed at the gates, the Columbine and Medusa
were sent a little way up the river, to endeavour to check
the depopulation of the city ; for the inhabitants at
that time were hastening away in crowds, so that the
river was actually covered with boats of all descriptions,
laden with furniture and goods . The Nemesis was also
SHANGHAI. 365
sent up in search of war- junks, and to reconnoitre the
country. No further hostile preparations however were
discovered . Quiet was maintained within the city, and
the vessels of war and steamers were all anchored
directly opposite the town.
The vast number of large trading -junks which were
lying there surprised every one. Many of these were
laden with valuable cargoes ; both banks of the river
were completely lined with them ; and there were also
numerous large stone warehouses, filled with mer
chandize, some of which contained large quantities of
sugar, salt, and provisions ; there were also extensive
timber-yards, and several large junks upon the stocks.
The traffic in timber alone must be considerable, as there
is none found in the neighbourhood adapted for ship
building ; and the fine large spars which are required
for the masts of junks are all brought from the north
ward. The size of some of these spars may be judged
of by the following measurements which were taken of
the mainmast of one of the largest junks. It was eleven
feet six inches in circumference a little above the deck,
and one hundred and forty -one feet long ; and the main
yard was one hundred and eleven feet in length. Very
strong spars indeed are necessary , for they carry an
enormous sail, without any shrouds or stays to support
them .
Shanghai must be a place of immense commercial
importance, not only as regards the internal traffic of
the country, but also in respect to its foreign com
merce, or at least its trade with the remoter parts of
China, and even with Siam and Cochin China . It is
366 SHANGHAI.
said to rank second only to Canton in commercial im
portance, particularly as the junks belonging to the
southern provinces are prohibited from trading further
north than this city, which therefore, in a certain de
gree, enjoys a monopoly. During Mr. Medhurst's visit
to it, he reckoned that there were a thousand large
junks in the river ; and , on visiting it not long after it
was taken, and when the trade was almost entirely
stopped , I was myself much struck with the large size
of the junks, which crowded both sides of the river.
Mr. Gutzlaff states that the imports of Shanghai
already far exceed the exports ; and, therefore, the
difficulty again arises as to the mode of payment for the
additional imports, which will soon find their way to
Shanghai, since the opening of the port. The Ame
ricans look forward to getting a large supply of green
tea at Shanghai in exchange for their cotton ; green tea
being in extensive use among them .
Shanghai has immense internal communication with
all the central parts of China ; it is situated in the
richest and most productive part of the country,
and the adjacent district has been called the Chinese
Arcadia. The country is one fertile flat, occasionally
subject to ravages by inundations, but generally drained
and cultivated with great care. In some parts, the
land, lying below the level of the rivers, is only main
tained by strong and extensive embankments. The
whole country is covered with hamlets and villages, and
cotton is cultivated in great quantities.
The inhabitants of Shanghai have on all occasions
shown a friendly disposition towards foreigners ; and,
SHANGHAI. 367
where the latter have been treated with rudeness, it has
been solely by the orders of the mandarins, or at their
instigation. Both Mr. Medhurst and Mr. Gutzlaff bear
testimony to this fact, during their early visits ; on
which occasions, the people eagerly asked to receive
books, of which several thousand copies were distri
buted . So important is the trade of this place, that the
appointments in the public service are anxiously sought
for, and the office of superintendent of customs is con
sidered extremely lucrative.
Mr. Gutzlaff's testimony respecting this place is cu
rious. Speaking of his visit, in 1832 , he says, 66 the
mandarins never directly interfered with my distri
buting books or conversing with the people; and, after
issuing the severest edicts against us, they gave us full
permission to do what we liked . They afterwards praised
our conduct, but gave the people their paternal advice
to have nothing to do with us. An imperial edict ar
rived, ordering us to be treated with compassion, but
not to be supplied with rice or water. But they sent us
quantities of live stock and flour, upon the sole condi
tion that we would not pay for them .” It is, in fact, a
curious thing to observe how easily the Chinese evade
all regulations when their interest leads them to do so,
and how readily they adopt every subterfuge.
I chanced to pay a visit to Shanghai the very day
after the conclusion of peace was first made known in
the town. We landed from our boat, at a little stone
jetty in front of a deserted temple, before which there
was an open paved court, or square, crowded with
people. Nothing could surpass the good order which
368 SHANGHAI.
prevailed ; not a noise or groan was heard, or inconve
nience of any kind experienced . Curiosity seemed to
be the sole absorbing feeling, and one could hardly
imagine that this was only the first week of peace, and
that a hostile force had a short time before occupied
the city. A Chinese crowd is the most orderly in the
world ; and, if we may judge of civilization by the
quiet, sober, deferential bearing of a large body of
people crowded together in narrow streets, certainly
the Chinese deserve to bear the palm. A few soldiers
were appointed to attend us through the town, who,
instead of arms, carried a fan -case, tied round their
waist, and a whip in their hand, with which they
cleared the way with apparent good will, as we pro
ceeded along the streets of the suburbs.
It was a curious sight to look down the long, nar
row , paved street, on each side of which were crowds
of shaved heads, each trying to raise itself an inch or
two higher, to catch a glimpse of the passing strangers.
The steps and doorways were crowded, and also a few
of the windows ; but most of the shops being shut, and
the houses having generally only one story, there were
none of those groups of figures, men, women , and chil
dren , rising in stages, one above the other, such as are
seen in Europe from the bottom of the house to the top,
when any thing remarkable is to be seen .
The greatest contrast, next to the immense collection
of bald heads, and brown, roundish, ugly-looking features,
consisted in the total absence of women, which, in any
part of Europe, would have formed perhaps the most
numerous and noisy part of the assemblage. Longingly
CHINESE CURIOSITY . 369
we looked on all sides, above and below, if perchance
we could see a single female head, ornamented with its
high -dressed jet-black hair, as a relief to the grave mo
notony of bald heads and serious faces. Here and there
certainly we fancied we could just discover a female
face, somewhat bolder than the rest, peering through
the half -closed lattice-work , or half-open door ; but
the houses were so dark inside, that youth or age,
beauty or ugliness, were alike lost upon us.
The colour of our hair and eyes seemed, next to the
texture of our garments, to excite most attention . It
was really laughable to see the people stare at the one,
with half-open eyes and half -closed mouths, and cau
tiously, as if by accident, touching the other, in order
to gratify their curiosity. There was no appearance
whatever of rudeness or hostility ; and, when the people
were warned out of the way, or pushed aside, and re
minded, by a gentle touch of the whip, that they must
move out of the way, they did so in apparent good
humour.
The inner town appeared to be only separated from
the suburb by the actual wall, there being little dif
ference in the houses on one side or the other. Two or
three additional soldiers turned out of the guard -house
as we passed, and joined our escort, certainly a shabby
looking set.
Much was said of the so -called tea -gardens of Shang
hai ; but, on reaching them, great was our astonish
ment to find that they ought rather to be called tea
ponds. According to our notions, land and grass, and
plants and flowers, are supposed to belong to gardens
VOL . II . BB
170 CHINESE TEA GARDENS.
even to tea - gardens; but, at Shanghai, it is quite the
reverse, for water predominates.
Ornamental gardening in China, properly so called, is
extremely uncommon . At Canton there is a very good
garden belonging to a Hong merchant ; but, generally
speaking, the land is too precious, for the purpose of
producing food, to permit the Chinese to devote much
space even to fruits.
At the entrance to the tea -gardens our approach was
greeted by the plaintive voice of an old woman, who
professed to sing songs to the accompaniment of an in
strument of a peculiar kind, covered with snakeskin.
To describe it is impossible. It had three strings
fastened to a long handle , with aa small drum at the end
of it, and was played with aa bow .
The gardens were more curious from their novelty,
than deserving of praise for their beauty. The place
consisted in reality of a sheet of nearly stagnant water,
with paths or platforms, or little islands, intersecting it
in various directions, upon which were built summer
houses, or pavilions of various shapes, in Chinese style,
in which the good citizens of Shanghai assemble to
drink tea (at any hour of the day), and smoke the pipe
which is a Chinaman's invariable companion, for recrea
tion . There were also a few walks among heaps of
stones, called artificial rocks, with seats scattered here
and there ; but in most respects the whole place greatly
disappointed our expectations.
Among the most remarkable objects at Shanghai
were the enormous ice-houses, both within and without
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