narrative-of-the-voyages-and-services-of — Page 14

the conference was held stands near its upper ex
tremity, on the same bank of the river. The first bar,
however, lies about seven miles higher up on the oppo
site side of the river, and is not so extensive a flat as
the lower one. It seems to have been formed by a
deposit from the waters of one of the larger of those
numerous rivers, or their branches, which empty them
selves not only into the Canton river, but into all the
principal rivers of China. Indeed, so numerous are
these water- communications in every direction , that
Keshen was perfectly correct in his observation that
small vessels could proceed wherever they pleased, even
up to Canton itself, without passing through the main
river. Of course, the channel becomes both narrower
 THE CANTON RIVER . 349

and more intricate in the neighbourhood of the bar ; and,
therefore, the Chinese showed considerable judgment
in attempting to defend this position, which was in
fact the most tenable one between the Bogue and
Whampoa ; from which latter place it was distant
about four miles. The whole of the neighbouring
country on both sides is almost one continued tract of
swampy rice -ground ; an additional proof of the endless
water-communications.
Above the first bar, the river becomes more intricate
in its navigation, having its channel broken and divided
by several islands, and ceasing to be navigable for vessels
even of moderate size beyond Whampoa, at least by any
channel, which had been at that time discovered. But it
will be presently seen that another passage was soon after
wards found. The anchorage at Whampoa had here
tofore been the resort of all the foreign trading ships ;
and the surrounding country at all times presents a
very picturesque and refreshing appearance. The Can
ton river would seem at various times to have been
subject to a great rise in its waters, and thus, overflow
ing the country through which it passes, to have
formed for itself new passages and lines of communi
cation, which in some parts give it the appearance of
dividing itself into numerous distinct rivers, at other
times merely separating its waters for a very short dis
tance, leaving a few picturesque islands between its
branches, and speedily re-uniting its numerous stream
lets again .
Whampoa is perhaps the largest of several islands,
which lie in the main course of the river. It is about
 350 THE CANTON RIVER.


four miles in length, and has a rather shallow channel
on either side, navigable only for vessels of very small
draught of water. On its north - eastern side, quite
towards its lower end, lies the much smaller island
called Junk Island, a long narrow strip of land, which
with its shoals greatly impedes the navigation on that
side. The channel between it and Whampoa is gene
rally known by the name of Junk River.
Nearly all our merchant-ships used to anchor towards
the bottom of Whampoa Island, in what has been called
Whampoa Reach . But smaller ones could proceed up as
far as the village of that name, beyond which the channel
has become known by the name of Fiddler's Reach. Some,
however, of our largest ships were formerly accustomed
to take in their outward cargoes as low down as the
9
“ Second Bar,” which occasioned an additional charge
for lighters or cargo boats, and other inconveniences
but these now anchor in what has lately been called the
Blenheim Reach, to the southward of Danes' Island.
(See map and plan of Canton. ) It is not a little remark
able that the Chinese authorities should have been able
to keep foreigners so long in complete ignorance of some
of the most important branches of their magnificent
river ; which for two centuries had witnessed the yearly
increase of foreign commerce .
This no doubt was effected by the jealous orders
which were issued to their pilots, who dared not follow
any other than the old prescribed track. Yet it is also
remarkable that, among so many ships which have
annually visited the river, none should have been found
whose commanders were led by curiosity or stimulated
 FACILITY FOR SMUGGLING. 351

by the tiresome sameness of an every day -life, during
the dull season, to explore in open boats some of those
large and tempting passages, the openings of which
could be seen . Had not the war stimulated our exer
tions, or awakened our curiosity, we should without
doubt have remained as ignorant as ever of the capa
bilities of the river, the extent of which was scarcely
even surmised . ]1
No wonder that smuggling in every form has been
long carried on to such a notorious extent by the
Chinese at Whampoa, and in other parts of the river !
The communications by water from one point to ano
ther, and with the interior of the country, are so nume
rous, and so interwoven with each other, that it would
be impossible for any system of fiscal regulations which
the Chinese could adopt to operate efficiently against
the complicated machinery of evasion which could so
easily be put in practice. This, among other reasons,,
may have contributed (always secondary , however, to
their jealousy of foreigners ,) to the strictness of their
orders respecting the anchorage for our ships.
The light squadron proceeded up the river early on
the morning of the 27th of February. It was not yet
perfectly ascertained what obstacles were to be met
with, although it was well known that the Chinese had
been making extensive preparations to impede the ad
vance of our forces. The wind was light throughout
1
The newly -explored passages will be described in the order of their
discovery. The Blenheim Reach, Browne's Passage, and the communications
with the Broadway River, by which our light squadron afterwards
reached the city of Canton , were as yet quite unknown to us.
352 ADVANTAGE OF STEAMERS.


the day, and the Sulphur, which was to have been the
leading vessel, fell behind ; the Nemesis, therefore, now
took the lead, and proceeded with caution, giving the
soundings by signal to the squadron, by means of flags
fastened to the ends of long bamboos ; by which con
trivance the signals could be made with the greatest
rapidity.
It is worthy of notice, that not a single ship of the
squadron touched the ground on their passage up,
although there was no native pilot on board any of the
vessels. The great advantage of steamers drawing little
water in leading a fleet up a river is undeniable ; the
certainty and perfect control of her movements, with
the facility of changing her position , or of backing her
self off, should she touch the ground, give her an im
mense advantage over every other description of vessel,
for exploring the passage of a river.
It is a very pretty sight to watch a small steamer,
giving the soundings as she proceeds, for the guidance of
the ships behind her, both men -of-war and transports.
No new defences or hostile preparations on the part
of the enemy were discovered, until the squadron had
passed up a considerable distance beyond the second
bar shoals. The Nemesis, being still ahead, it could
now be made out distinctly with the telescope that a
large ship, probably the Cambridge, (a late British ship,
purchased by the Chinese) was at anchor near the first bar.
This was immediately signalized to the squadron, which
came to anchor about three miles from the position indi
cated. But the Nemesis, having previously taken the
Plenipotentiary and Captain Herbert on board, proceeded
 THE CAMBRIDGE . 353

to reconnoitre , and to ascertain if a clear passage ex
isted for the ships, as the Channel was supposed to have
been partially obstructed by sunken junks.
On arriving sufficiently near to observe accurately
the dispositions of the enemy, it was discovered that a
>



considerable mud battery had been constructed on the
left bank of the river ( the right in ascending) above the
first bar, near the Brunswick rock, below Whampoa ;
and that in order to obstruct the advance of the squad
ron beyond it, a very strong and broad raft, formed by
large masses of timber secured well together, had been
carried quite across the river, from one side to the other,
precisely opposite the battery . Behind the raft lay the
ship Cambridge, (previously known as the Chesapeake)
with an admiral's flag at the main, moored head and stern
in such a way that only her bow guns could be brought
to bear for the defence of the raft. A number of war
junks were also under weigh not far from her. It was
evident that the Chinese were quite prepared for resist
ance ; and, had the Cambridge been anchored with springs
on her cable, so as to enable them to bring her broad
sides to bear alternately upon the raft, she might have
fired with very great effect upon any of our ships as
they approached. But the Chinese are not sufficiently
acquainted with naval tactics to be able to make the best
use even of the resources at their command .
The war -junks looked much more formidable in the
distance, than when more nearly viewed, and there was
much more probability of their making their escape
after the first shots were fired, than that they would
offer any serious opposition. The fort itself consisted
VOL . I. A A
354 FORMIDABLE WORKS .


of a strong line of mud batteries along the river front,
and was afterwards found to mount no less than forty
seven guns, which were principally intended to protect
the raft. On the left flank of the battery were also
mounted several guns, which bore directly upon the
ships as they advanced up the river ; and beyond this,
further on the flank, was a small battery or field
work, mounting four or five guns, and connected with
the former by an embankment, with a small ditch
before it, upon which were planted a great number of
ginjals, or wall pieces. These latter, from being more
easily managed, and more accurately pointed, were often
calculated to do more injury than their great guns.
Within the fort, or line of field -works, was a double
Chinese encampment, containing about two thousand
men . The rear of the position was protected by a deep
creek twenty -five yards wide, and by paddy- fields, which
were partially flooded . These impediments proved very
injurious to the Chinese themselves, when they were
driven out of the fort, and attempted to escape in the
rear ; and they suffered great loss there in consequence.
It must not be forgotten that the Cambridge was heavily
armed, although she proved of no service whatever to
her new masters.
It was determined that no time should be lost in
commencing the attack on this formidable line of de
fence, without even waiting for the arrival of the other
ships of the squadron. However, Captain Herbert im
mediately went down in his own gig, to bring up the rest
of the force under his orders, who were all, of course,
equally anxious to take part in the attack. Captain
 ATTACK ON THE CAMBRIDGE . 355


Elliot remained on board the Nemesis, and on this
and all other occasions exposed himself with a true
sailor's courage, during the hottest part of the engage
ment.

An excellent position was taken up by this vessel, not
more than seven hundred yards from the lower angle of
the fort, and , having anchored with springs on her
cable, she commenced throwing shot, shell, and rockets
single-handed into the fort and camp, and also at the
Cambridge behind the raft. The guns were plied with
great precision , principally under the direction of Mr.
Crouch and Mr. Strangways, mates, R.N.
It was now little more than half-past one, and at
two o'clock the Madagascar took up a position a little
outside of the Nemesis, and commenced firing at the
Cambridge with her twenty-four pounders. The Chi
nese kept up their fire from as many guns as they could
bring to bear, and from numerous large ginjals, with
considerable spirit. The Nemesis was struck several
times, but fortunately only one man was wounded .
One of the large shot passed completely through the
outer casing of the steam -chest, from one side to the
other, and was very near penetrating the steam-chest
itself, which would have been one of the most serious
accidents which could possibly befall her. The fire of
the Chinese was so well sustained for some time, that
repeated persuasion was tried , but in vain, to induce
Captain Elliot, (who was standing as a spectator during
the whole time upon the bridge between the paddle
boxes) to retire from such an exposed situation.
The Nemesis, having afterwards changed her position,
A A 2
356 GALLANT ATTACK .

got aground, by running too close in -shore, in order to
get as near as possible to the battery, and became so
much exposed that, besides receiving several shot in her
hull, she had her spars and rigging a good deal cut up .
At three o'clock the remainder of the squadron had
arrived, the Sulphur being the first vessel which an
chored and commenced firing ; the other ships, how
ever, came up in close succession, and fired their broad
sides with great effect upon the batteries, the Cambridge,
and the war-junks. The vessels engaged were the Cal
liope, Alligator, Herald, Modeste, and Sulphur, with the
Nemesis and Madagascar steamers.
The Chinese, who had been already staggered by the
smart fire of the steamers, were now completely bewil
dered by the additional attack of the other vessels.
Their fire speedily slackened ; and at about half- past
three the boats of the squadron, with the marines under
Lieutenant Stransham, and a party of seamen under
their respective officers, put off to land and storm the
works, the whole under the able direction of Captain
Herbert. Those of the Nemesis, being nearest in -shore,
had the advantage in landing first. All the best men on
board, including some of her engineers, had volunteered
for the occasion, and the whole force now formed to
gether, and immediately dashed on to the gate leading
into the fort close upon the shore. The Chinese at
tempted to defend it, but it was forced , although several
of the Chinese officers fought with determined bravery,
but little science . Their troops retreated in disorder,
and the British flag was planted upon the fort by Cap
tain Hall himself, who, as usual, headed his own party .
 FORT CAPTURED . 357

On this occasion one of the Chinese officers, with cool
determination and a steady aim, deliberately discharged
four arrows from his bow, at Captain Hall , fortunately
without effect. Had they been musket-balls, however,
he could scarcely have escaped . A marine instantly
raised his musket at the less fortunate Chinese officer :
the aim was unerring, and he fell. An attempt was
first made to save him , for his coolness and courage ; but
in the heat of an engagement it is impossible to control
every man , nor is it probable that the officer would
have allowed himself to be taken prisoner.
About four o'clock the fort was completely in our
possession, the Chinese having in vain attempted to stand
against the hot fire of our musketry.. They scrambled
out at the rear of the fort, in the best way they could ,
and there suffered severe loss. In fact, they were caught
as it were in a trap ; for the deep creek and flooded
paddy-fields in a great measure prevented their flight, so
that about aa hundred of them were killed or drowned at
that spot, although every effort was made to save them .
Some of them tried to escape across the river, jumping
into the water merely with pieces of wood or small logs
in their hands, which they picked up as chance threw
them in their way, in the hope that these would be suf
cient to support them in the water.
While the principal part of our force was thus driving
out the Chinese on one side of the fort, another and
smaller party, consisting of volunteers from the Nemesis
and Calliope, were hastening on towards the gate at the
opposite end, at the extremity of the river -front of the
fort, the Chinese retreating before them. Close by
358 BOARDING OF THE CAMBRIDGE .


the gate stood a house, in which many of them took
refuge; but, finding that there was no hope of escape,
and that resistance would be useless, they immediately
surrendered .
The great object now to be attained was to board
the Cambridge, which was lying abreast of the fort.
Unfortunately, no Chinese boat was to be found along
the shore, and it was quite tantalizing for the moment
to see a prize so near, without the means of reaching
her.
At this juncture, Lieutenant Watson, first -lieutenant
of the Calliope, gallantly succeeded in dragging one of
his boats across the rafts, and launched her on the other
side. He then took on board some of the little party
on shore, who, seeing a body of Chinese crowding upon
the deck of the Cambridge, had continued firing upon
them. The boat instantly pulled off to the Cambridge,
under the command of Lieutenant Watson, having with
him Mr. Browne, the master of the Calliope, Captain
Hall, and Mr. Galbraith , of the Nemesis ; together with
Mr. St. Leger, and about nine or ten men .
The Chinese were so alarmed at the sudden attack
upon all their defences at once, and at the capture of
the fort, as well as at the loss they had already sus
tained on board , that they offered little or no resistance;
most of them jumped overboard on the starboard side,
as the boarding-party climbed up on the port side. An
officer of the Nemesis had the good luck to be first upon
the quarter-deck.
Many of the Chinese must have been drowned in at
tempting to swim on shore, as there were no boats at
 BLOWING UP OF THE CAMBRIDGE . 359

hand to pick them up, and their own redoubtable war
junks had already made the best of their way up the
river, for fear of meeting the same fate as the Cam
bridge. A number of dead and wounded were found upon
the decks, strong evidence of the well-directed shot of
our ships. She mounted altogether thirty-four guns, of
English manufacture ; and it was rather surprising to
see how well the Chinese had prepared for action , the guns
being in perfect order, fire -buckets distributed about the
decks, and every thing very clean and well -arranged.
It now became a question whether she was to be
blown up or retained as a prize ; but it was decided by
Captain Herbert, that she should be set on fire and de
stroyed, principally with a view to strike terror into the
Chinese, far and wide, by the explosion ; and partly, also,
because she was an old and useless ship. Preparations,
therefore, were at once made by Lieutenant Watson,
with this object. The wounded were all carried on shore,
and every part of the ship was searched with great care,
to ascertain that there were not any Chinamen remain
ing concealed. The few stores found on board were of
very little value, and at five o'clock she was set on fire.
Slowly the flames spread throughout the ship, gra
dually bursting out of every port ; little more than an
hour sufficed for the fire to reach the magazine, and then
she suddenly blew up, rending the atmosphere, and
making every object around her tremble with the ex
plosion. The sparks of fire and burning timbers were
thrown far and wide in every direction ; and, as it was
by this time quite dark, they served to spread the alarm
ing intelligence even among those who were scarcely near
360 CONCLUSION OF THE TRAGEDY .


enough to hear the explosion . Several houses took fire
at a considerable distance from the spot, by the falling of
the burning fragments which were carried through the
air. The lower part of the hull of the Cambridge went
down in deep water.
Thus ended the tragedy of the day ; and, following
as it did only twenty -four hours after the capture of the
Bogue, and at the distance of only a few miles from
Canton , we can easily imagine how completely it must
have paralyzed for the moment all the little remaining
spirit and energy of the Chinese. The city of Canton
would probably have fallen an easy prey, had our suc
cesses been followed up by a bold dash at it. But the
different approaches by which our forces could advance
were then very imperfectly known, otherwise the small
ness of our numbers would in any case have been amply
compensated by the panic of the moment.
Throughout the operations of the day, Captain Elliot
had distinguished himself by his personal courage, and
landed with the party from the Nemesis to storm the
fort. The loss of the Chinese is believed to have
amounted to about three hundred killed and wounded .
On our own side there were eight or nine men wounded
and one killed . The magazine of the fort, and the guns,
about sixty in number, were destroyed or rendered use
less . Those of the Cambridge were blown up with the
vessel .
The great raft across the river was not less than five
hundred and fifty yards long, and is said to have cost
the Chinese an inmense sum of money, which was ex
acted from the Hong merchants. It was constructed
 A RECONNOISSANCE . 361

with great strength and solidity, for upon it they had
rested their most confident hopes of successful re
sistance. It was cleared away, not without a good deal
of labour, on the following day, and thus the passage
was now opened for the advanced squadron to proceed
up to Whampoa.
The Madagascar was sent down to the Bogue, to in
form Commodore Sir Gordon Bremer of what had
taken place, while the boats of the squadron , together
with the Sulphur and Nemesis, pushed on to explore the
river higher up ; a reconnoissance being necessary before
the ships could advance, owing to the uncertainty as to
what impediments the Chinese might have formed to
obstruct the navigation .
During the day, the Nemesis and boats got far enough
up the branch on the eastern side of Whampoa, called
Junk River, to catch a view of a little fort at the
upper end of Whampoa, called Howqua's Folly. It
was further ascertained that a large body of Chinese
were collecting in that direction , principally on the shore
opposite the island , and that a double line of stakes, in
terlaced with bamboos, were driven across the upper part
of the Junk River passage, where also several large
junks appeared to have been sunk.
It turned out afterwards that, had the Nemesis pro
ceeded only a hundred yards further on, she would have
1
Why some of the forts should be called “ Follies ” does not appear
evident. Such were the Dutch Folly, French Folly, Napier's Folly, and
Howqua's Folly. The most foolish of them all was certainly the last,
which ultimately fell down, owing to the foundation being weakened by
the washing of the river.
362 SIR GORDON BREMER .


been lucky enough to discover a masked battery, which
it was reserved for the boats of the Wellesley, in com
pany with the Sulphur, to find out on the following day,
and to have the honour of capturing, under the command
of Lieutenant Symonds .
In the mean time, Sir Gordon Bremer, in consequence
of the important intelligence conveyed to him by the
Madagascar, hastened up from the Bogue the same day,
bringing with him the marines of the Wellesley, together
with a hundred seamen, under Captain Maitland. The
marines of the Blenheim , Melville, and Druid likewise
followed , together with a number of boats well armed
and manned. The Queen steamer also came up, bring
ing with her the Eagle transport, and another, the Sophia,
being towed up by the Madagascar..
In the evening, Sir Gordon Bremer, with these sea
sonable reinforcements, joined the advanced squadron
just as they had got up to Whampoa Reach. In con
sequence of the report made to the commodore of the
reconnoissance which had been made during the day, he
was induced to send up the Sulphur on the following
morning, together with three of the boats of the Wel
lesley, to pursue the examination further. The boats
of the Wellesley were commanded by Lieutenant Sy
monds, the first lieutenant of that ship. It is distinctly
stated , in Sir Gordon Bremer's official despatch, that the
Sulphur was towed (going up) by the boats, and that,
as soon as they had got within range of the masked
battery, which had been suspected but not discovered the
day before, the latter opened upon them ; upon which
Lieutenant Symonds, with great decision and gallantry,
 GALLANTRY OF LIEUTENANT SYMONDS . 363

instantly cut the tow-rope, and dashed off, to storm the
fort.
Such is the account published at the time. But in
Captain Belcher's account of the affair (vol. ii . p. 158 ,)
it is stated that this was a mistake, and that the Sulphur
was not towed at all by the boats ; it is left to be
inferred, also, that Lieutenant Symonds did not cut the
tow-rope, or else that, if he had done so, he would
have been guilty of a breach of discipline.
I have no means of judging between these two ac
counts ; but it was generally understood that Lieutenant
Symonds's gallantry and energy were highly approved
of by the commodore, whether in obedience of orders,
or otherwise. Captain Belcher further states that he
himself “ jumped into his gig to recall the boats, or
to prevent them doing too much, and that it was by
Captain Elliot's wish, who was left in charge during his
>
absence . ” However, it still appears that the battery was
carried by Lieutenant Symonds and his men, who soon
drove the Chinese out of it, killing several. The official
account further states that the Sulphur immediately
anchored, and sent a few shot in amongst the thick un
derwood , in which the Chinese took shelter.
The battery was found to mount about twenty -three
guns, which, together with the magazine, and all the
matériel, were destroyed. The boats were repeatedly
struck by grape-shot as they dashed on shore, but only
one man was wounded mortally.
The Nemesis came up the Reach during the day, and
managed to get within long gunshot of Howqua’s Folly,
about two miles higher up. In the evening, the Alli
364 HOWQUA'S FOLLY.

gator, Modeste, and Herald joined her, with two trans
ports. The distance from Canton was now so short,
that they must have been within sight of the city,
although there was too little water by the direct passage
to enable them to get up further. The channels by
which they afterwards reached Canton had not as yet
been discovered .
Howqua's Fort, or Folly, was built of stone, at the
mouth of a little creek, at the extremity of Whampoa
Island, and was surrounded by low paddy-fields, which
occasioned its foundation to be so insecure that it after
wards fell down . It mounted nearly thirty guns of
various calibre. The commandant seems to have had
no particular taste for fighting, and thought a timely
retreat would save him a vast deal of trouble. The fort
was accordingly soon abandoned . A detachment of
the 26th Cameronians occupied it, while a party of
marines, under Captain Ellis, took possession of a large
joss-house, or temple, opposite to it, on the other side
of Junk River, where a strong body of the enemy had
already been seen . They strengthened this position
against any sudden attack.
Just above these two points, and consequently be
tween Howqua's and Napier's Folly, which latter was
situated upon the extremity of a low alluvial island ,
a little above Whampoa, a strong line of stakes or piles
had been driven into the bed of the river. The next
step, therefore, was to clear a passage through them,
which was not to be very easily effected, owing to the
rapidity of the stream , and the stiffness of the soil
forming the river's bed.
 THREE DAYS ' TRUCE . 365

Just at this juncture, the prefect of Canton or Kwang
Chow-Foo came alongside the Nemesis in his barge,
attended by a linguist, and inquired for Captain Elliot,
who happened not to be on board . Upon this the pre
fect affected to be in a great hurry to go away , saying
that he could not wait for his return . The only reply
which could be given to him was, that if he couldn't
wait, he had better be off at once, without putting him
self to any inconvenience. This was quite sufficient to
induce this would-be great man to stay ; and he con
tinued , for some time, sitting in his boat, which was
hanging on astern , evidently with forced composure ,
for he declined coming on board the steamer.
As soon as Captain Elliot returned , they went down
to Whampoa Reach together, where aa conference was held
in due form . Captain Elliot certainly wished that hostili
ties should not be pushed further, if it could be avoided ;
and, accordingly, although it was perfectly well known
and admitted that Keshen had been degraded from his
office of commissioner, and that his successor had not
yet arrived, a truce was agreed upon for three days
with the Kwang - Chow -Foo. This was only a con
ciliating piece of leniency on the part of Captain Elliot,
for, at that moment, there was really no responsible
public officer who could undertake on the part of the
Chinese to treat for or accept any terms whatever. At
the same time, it was not denied that a general panic
prevailed at Canton, and that vast numbers of people
were leaving the city.
A lull now ensued , the probable result of which it was
idle to guess, although it was generally expected that
366 ARRIVAL OF SIR HUGH GOUGH .


hostilities would be resumed, and that no settlement
whatever could be attempted, until Canton itself was
completely at our mercy. This happened precisely at
the moment of the arrival of Major-General Sir Hugh
Gough from Madras, in H.M.S. Cruizer, to assume the
command in chief of all the land- forces, by the orders
of the governor-general of India. This important event
happened on the 2nd March, 1841 ; and the arrival of
a general of acknowledged bravery and distinction was
a subject of general congratulation, and was looked
upon as likely to lead to energetic and decisive steps.
It was also just about this time that the force which
had been ordered down from Chusan arrived in the
Canton River, namely the Pylades, Blonde, Conway,
and Nimrod, together with the transports, conveying
the troops. Our forces were, therefore, now concen
trated ; and, whatever may be the opinion generally
entertained concerning the policy of so suddenly giving
up Chusan long before the answer could have arrived
from Pekin respecting Keshen's treaty, it happened,
nevertheless, very much to our advantage, that the
whole of a still small force was now united at one point,
for the more effective prosecution of any enterprise
which it might be advisable to undertake. Thus it
occurred on many occasions during the war, that what
appeared at first sight unfortunate, or, at all events,
little likely to be attended with good results, turned
out, in the end , to be most advantageous. The addi
tion of these reinforcements from Chusan enabled us
now to dictate terms to the Chinese authorities, which,
without them , it would not have been so easy to exact.
 A RECONNOISSANCE . 367

Advantage was taken of the interval of the three
days' truce (which was to expire on the 5th) to explore
in the Nemesis, by the orders of Captain Herbert, one of
those broad passages which were known to turn off to the
westward, from Whampoa Reach. It was thought likely
to lead, indirectly, even to Canton, and might therefore
greatly facilitate the advance of our forces upon the
city. It has already been stated , that it was a matter
of surprise that these channels had never been properly
explored by foreigners ; though a passage of some sort
or other was well known to exist on either side of French
and Dane's Islands.
Captain Elliot himself was very anxious upon this
subject, and offered a reward of one hundred dollars to
any active fisherman or pilot who would point out the
best channel. It was thought probable also that there
were several channels, some perhaps large enough
for our sloops, of which we were hitherto perfectly
ignorant.
A pilot soon offered his services, in consideration of
the handsome reward ; although there appeared little
doubt of the Nemesis being able to find a passage for
herself (drawing so little water) without any pilot at all.
Soon after nine o'clock the Nemesis got under weigh,
under the direction of Captain Herbert, having Captain
Elliot and other officers on board . The object was not
to make any minute survey of the passage ; but merely
to ascertain, by a cursory examination, the nature of the
channel, and in what direction it was likely to terminate.
Leaving Dane’s and French Islands to the southward, they
proceeded very cautiously to thread their way through
368 A RECONNOISSANCE .

the shoals or mud-banks which were found in the pas
sage. The country on both sides was low and swampy ,
but the channel was not found blocked up by sunken
junks or stones, as it had been in other parts ; probably
because the Chinese hardly expected that any attempt
would be made to pass through it, and partly because
the river into which it led (the Broadway or Macao
passage ) had been already sufficiently fortified and ob
structed . They passed a deserted battery and one or
two small villages.
In the course of a couple of hours, during which time
they had advanced slowly, with a depth of water from
two to three fathoms, they came in sight of a circular
stone fort, with a tower or pagoda upon it, apparently
between two and three miles distant.
As the truce had not yet expired, it was not thought
right to proceed further for the present ; but they had
already reached the point of junction with the Macao
passage, or Broadway River, in the middle of which the
fort (which was afterwards called the Macao Fort) was
situated . Enough had been ascertained to serve as a
guide for future operations ; and the Nemesis, passing
round a small island at the head of the passage, re
turned the same way she had come, and rejoined
the squadron at Whampoa. It was through this pas-.
sage that some of our vessels proceeded, a few days
afterwards, to the attack of the fort, which has been
noticed above.
On the following day, the 6th, the truce expired .
But there was any thing but a peaceable disposition
shown on the part of the Chinese authorities. They
 EXPIRATION OF THE TRUCE . 369

issued strict orders that none of the natives should
supply provisions to our ships. The boats which had
hitherto come fearlessly alongside our vessels all on
a sudden disappeared ; and it was known at Canton
that the native merchants were compelled to remove
all the tea and silk out of the town. All this looked as
if they were determined to come to no amicable settle
ment, and to prevent any kind of trade whatever being
carried on with the foreigners. It is possible, also, that
they fully expected that their city would be captured,
and therefore encouraged the removal of the valuable
property.
In consequence of these proceedings, a proclamation
was addressed by Captain Elliot to the people of Can
ton, telling them that they were quite at our mercy,
and that the city was only spared “ in order to show
how tenderly the good and peaceable inhabitants were
considered ” (by the English). But it was added , that,
“ if the authorities should continue to prevent the na
tive merchants from buying and selling with the foreign
merchants, then the whole trade of Canton was to be .
>
immediately stopped , and the city strictly blockaded.”
It then wound up by throwing “ the whole responsi
bility of the present state of things upon the bad ad
‫לל‬
visers of the emperor .
Preparations were now made for an immediate ad
vance upon the city ; and it was a favourite notion of
Captain Elliot, that he could blockade all the ap
proaches to Canton, and thus, by cutting off its im
mense internal commerce, upon which thousands de
VOL . I. BB
370 EXPIRATION OF THE TRUCE .

pend for their living, and nearly the whole population
for its supplies of food , constrain the authorities to
come to some reasonable terms, without any further
necessity for a resort to arms.
 EXPIRATION OF THE TRUCE. 371




CHAPTER XVIII.

Expiration of the truce — Napier's Fort - Rafts across the river - Prepa
rations for its capture-Sulphur-And Nemesis—Chinese abandon
the fort – Nemesis returns down Fiddler's Reach - New works of the
Chinese – Scenery of the river - Operations again suspended - Sir
Hugh Gough returns to Wantung - Keshen leaves Canton for Pekin
in disgrace — Chinese hostility - Notices by Captain Elliot — Expedi
tion up the Broadway or Inner Passage under Captain Scott — Nemesis
with boats of Samarang and Atalanta_Entrance to the Inner Passage
-Nemesis attacks Motow — Capture of Tei-yat-kok — War- junks in
sight — Stone Fort, and river staked across (Houchung) — Field -work
( Fei -shu -kok ) - War -junks destroyed -- Pass through large town
(Heong Shan ) -Apathy of the people — Masked battery — Sheong
Chap— Narrowness of the channel — Kong-How Battery — River -




staked across - Mode of removing the piles — Assistance volunteered
by the peasantry — Military station destroyed — Custom House and
-
—
war- junk fired -Tam - chow — Military station at Tsenei destroyed
with war-junks, &c.—Channel leading into the river at Second Bar
Nemesis joins the advanced squadron at Whampoa — Reflections— Re
marks on the Ladrones - Fishermen turn smugglers and pirates.


The proclamation addressed by Captain Elliot to the
people of Canton, last alluded to, was certainly intended
to obviate, if possible, the further effusion of blood,
and, by calming the public mind, to prevent the total
cessation of trade. Moreover, he addressed a request
at the same time to the naval and military commanders
in -chief, that they would make no further movements
BB 2
372 NAPIER'S FORT.

towards the city until the disposition of the provincial
officers could be put to the test. All the private infor
mation which could be gathered , however, tended to
shew that further delay was likely to be useless, and even
prejudicial.
As soon, therefore, as the day for the expiration of
the truce had arrived, the Nemesis was ordered to con
vey Captain Elliot, with the commodore and the major
general, together with their respective suites, up to
Howqua's Fort, having the broad pendant flying ; there
several other ships of the advanced squadron were
already at anchor. The flag of truce was then lowered,
and immediate dispositions were made for the capture of
Napier's Fort, which was a little distance higher up.
A little more than half aa mile above the upper end of
Whampoa lies another small, low, alluvial island, which
divides the river into two branches ; and upon the lower
extremity of it stood a semicircular fort, designed to
command the passage on either side. This was called
Napier's Fort, from having been built expressly to com
memorate the discomfiture and ultimate death of that
lamented nobleman ; as if it were a source of pride to
the Chinese, and of humiliation to his own countrymen .
It mounted thirty -five guns .
A little below the fort a strong double line of piles
had been driven into the bed of the river, completely
across from one bank to the other. These were strength
ened by sunken junks ; and the passage was further
blocked up by large stones thrown into the river, and
other impediments. There were flanking batteries also
on either side, recently built of mud, and not quite
 NAPIER'S FORT . 373

finished ; they were intended to mount thirty - five and
forty - four guns .
These positions were capable ofbeing stoutly defended ,
had they been fully armed and manned. Such , however,
was not the case ; and, as the commandant of the fort
was inclined to exhibit the same compliant disposition
as his gallant companion in arms had shewn at Howqua's
Fort below, no resistance was offered ; in fact, the gar
rison all ran away as soon as they had fired off their
guns, having previously intimated their intention , and
succeeded in making good their escape .
The Sulphur, accompanied by some of the boats of
the squadron, managed to get up first, and took posses
sion ; followed by the Nemesis, with the commodore on
board, and other vessels. A detachment of troops had
been sent round by the general, with a view to take the
flanking -batteries in the rear ; but, as it now appeared
that they were undefended, and as the march over
swampy paddy -fields, and across numerous watercourses,
was anything but agreeable, and not likely now to be
useful, they returned to the joss-house below. In the
afternoon, the Nemesis proceeded with the commodore
and Captain Elliot down to Whampoa, passing along
the western side of that island, by the channel which
was known by the name of Fiddler's Reach ; she had
therefore gone completely round Whampoa Island in
the course of the day ; for she went up by the east
ern or Junk river side, and came down by the western
or Fiddler's Reach passage, proving the practicabi
lity of both channels for vessels of small draught of
water.
374 NEW FORTS .

It may be well here to notice that, at a subsequent
period, after the fall of Canton, and when the Chinese
were prevented by us from renewing or extending any
of the defences of the river below Whampoa, they set
about strengthening the positions above that island with
all the resources they could employ. Before the close
of the war, they not only rebuilt Napier's Fort in a
much more substantial manner, but fortified all that line
of the river, upon a plan, much superior to any they had
hitherto attempted .
Three other large stone forts have been built with
a view to command the navigation of this part of the
river ; namely, one on each bank of the river opposite
Napier's Fort, and one about half a mile lower down, at
the point where the river is still strongly staked across.
Viewed from the river, all these new forts look ex
tremely formidable, being built entirely of stone, of con
siderable height, and calculated to mount little less
than two hundred guns. The structure of all these new
works is of a superior kind to any before seen in
China ; and it is generally supposed that they have been
built at the suggestion or with the assistance of some
European engineer. But, as usual in China, the rear
of the forts is almost entirely unprotected , except by a
stone wall ; and, were it not that the advance of an enemy
on that side would be greatly impeded by ditches and
paddy-fields, which would oppose difficulties to the
bringing up of artillery, they could be captured without
any extraordinary effort.
Whatever may have been the policy of permitting the
Chinese to rebuild any of their forts, or to strengthen
 CONFIDENCE OF THE CHINESE . 375

the approaches to Canton, as long as the war lasted, it
is not doubted that it was looked upon as a sort of tri
umph by them ; and, gradually as they saw these fine
forts rising up unobstructed before their eyes, while the
English were carrying on operations to the northward, at
Amoy, Ningpo, and elsewhere, the people of Canton
began to think that they could make the city impreg
nable for the future.
The forbearance which we had always shewn induced
many of the inhabitants even to doubt at last whether
their city had ever been at our mercy at all ; and the
insulting gestures and presumptuous bearing of many of
the people employed in constructing these forts, as we
happened to pass by them in an open boat after the
peace, shewed that they looked forward with confidence
to the protection of these new forts.
The scenery about Whampoa, and between that island
and Canton, throughout all the channels, is very pic
turesque. The fine pagoda upon Whampoa, rising up,
as it were, out of a little mount of wood, and another
similar one on the mainland higher up , surrounded by
rich fields, and numerous winding streams, are striking
objects. A few scattered farm -houses, with their large,
curved, angular roofs, together with the village of Wham
poa, and the numerous boats of all shapes and sizes
plying upon the river, present a peculiar and thoroughly
Chinese prospect.
The short pause in our operations, which now again
It is remarkable that only one pagoda was seen in Pekin by Lord
Macartney's embassy, and none whatever on the Peiho River, nor at any
place between Tiensin and Pekin.
376 PAUSE IN THE OPERATIONS .


took place at the request of Captain Elliot, was pre
cisely in accordance with the liberal assurances of the
most pacific intentions on the part of the Chinese. Their
acts, however, by no means agreed with their words.
It was perfectly ascertained that a large number of
fire- vessels were being prepared a few miles above Can
ton ; that new defences were being constructed around
the city, particularly upon the heights in its rear ; and
that people were removing their property from the
town, and no valuable produce was allowed to be brought
into it . Sir Gordon Bremer distinctly expressed his
conviction that the measure of attacking Canton itself
would have speedily to be resorted to ; although he de
plored the excesses to which it might give rise, owing
to the abandonment of the city by the authorities, and
the absence of control over the rabble of a community
proverbially bad. The major -general. now went down
the river, and remained at Wantung with the commo
dore, where plans for the future operations were de
vised .
About this time, Keshen, whose functions had already
ceased, left Canton for Pekin, in disgrace, in order to be
put upon his trial for traitorous conduct, as his unfor
tunate defeats were now termed . The result was, that
he was utterly degraded ; all his property, which was
enormously valuable, was confiscated, and he himself
banished to the cold regions of Tartary.
On the 10th, despatches were sent up by the Nemesis
from Captain Elliot (who in the mean time had gone to
Macao) to the commodore at the Bogue, in consequence
of the Chinese authorities having issued chops or pass
 EFFECTS OF FORBEARANCE . 377

ports for all ships, except British, to proceed up the
river to trade, as far as Whampoa . This act of open
defiance could not be overlooked , and Captain Elliot
himself seems to have been struck with the hostile
temper which this proceeding evinced. A notice was,
in consequence , issued to the effect, “ that, as the port
of Canton, from its entrance to its extremity, was in the
military occupation of her Majesty's arms, no ships
whatever would be permitted to enter the river, except
under the authority of the commander - in -chief ; and,
moreover, that a close embargo would be laid on the
city and trade of Canton, until the whole of their
foreign trade should be placed upon a perfectly equal
footing, without any exception whatever.”
So far, then, it was very evident that our previous
forbearance, when actually in sight of Canton , had not
been followed by any good result. In point of fact, it
had not been understood, and was certainly looked upon
rather as an evidence of conscious weakness on our
part,, than as what
' it actually was -- an instance of for
bearance, resulting from conscious strength .
It was, probably, the necessity which he now felt of
striking some blow calculated to make an immediate
impression upon the Chinese, which induced Captain
Elliot to direct his attention to one of the most boldly
conceived and successfully -executed exploits which have
to be recorded during this campaign. It appears to
have struck him almost on a sudden ; and, finding
that Captain Scott, of the Samarang, who was then se
nior officer at Macao, and also Captain Hall, of the Ne
mesis, entirely concurred with him in his views, it was
378 BRILLIANT EXPLOIT.


resolved that not a moment should be lost. Above all, it
was kept perfectly secret ; so that no rumour of any new
project could reach any of the inhabitants of Macao,
either Portuguese or Chinese. The undertaking to which
I allude became afterwards generally known, as the
forcing of the Broadway, or Inner, or Macao Passage,
( for it has obtained all these names) by the Nemesis, ac
companied by three boats, viz., two belonging to the
Samarang, and one to the Atalanta steamer. This
passage leads direct from Macao to Canton , but had
been hitherto frequented only by native boats ; indeed,,
no others were permitted to pass through it. This was
one of those numerous opportunities in which the Ne
mesis so clearly demonstrated the great advantage to
be derived from the employment of shallow iron steamers,
in hostile operations along the course of unexplored
rivers.
The exploit was spoken of in very handsome terms,
both by the plenipotentiary and the commodore in their
public despatches, and attracted the notice of every one
connected with the service. Too much credit cannot