ÆäÀÌÁö À̹ÌÁö
PDF
ePub

OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.

SECRET DEPARTMENT.

Bombay Castle, Oct. 3rd, 1842. The Hon. the Governor in Council is pleased to republish for general information the following general order issued at Simla, on the 23rd ult., by the Right Hon. the Governor General of India, directing the publication of a despatch from Vice-Admiral Sir W. Parker, кCв., Naval Commander-in-chief on the coast of China, enclosing copies of his Excellency's reports to the Admiralty of the successful operations of the combined forces in China, in the capture of Woosung, Paoushan, and Shanghae.

By order of the Hon. the Governor in Council,
J. P. WILLOUGHBY,

Secretary to Government.

General orders by the Right Hon. the Governor-General of India.

Simla, Sept. 23rd, 1842. The Right Hon. the Governor-General of India has directed the publication of a despatch this day received from Vice-Admiral Sir W. Parker, ксв., Naval Commander-in-Chief on the coast of China, enclosing copies of his Excellency's reports to the Admiralty of the successful operations of the combined forces in China, in the capture of Woosung, Paoushan, and Shanghae. By order of the Right Hon. the Governor-General of India.

T. M. MADDOCK,

Secretary to the Governor-General of India, &c.

From his Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir W. Parker, KCB., Commander-in-Chief, in China, to the Right Hon. Lord Ellenborough, Governor-General of India.

Cornwallis, at Woosung, June 26th, 1842.

MY LORD. I have the honour to enclose, for your Lordship's information, copies of my despatches to the Secretary of the Admiralty, reporting the capture of Woosung, Paoushan, and Shanghae, on the 16th and 19th inst., with a total loss of not less than 400 guns, and a large quantity of arms and military stores, with comparatively small loss; and I beg to offer my congratulations to your Lordship on these events.

Sir H. Pettinger returned to the expedition on the 20th instant, and nearly the whole of the expected reinforcements of troops and ships of war have arrived in this quarter, with ample supplies of provisions and stores.

As I believe his Excellency Sir Hugh Gough sends your Lordship the copies of our late correspondence with Elepao, I do not trouble you with another set, and have only to add, that no time will be lost in advancing the expedition up the Yang-tsze-Kiang in prosecution of further operations.

I have, &c.

W. PARKER, Vice-Admiral.

From his Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir W. Parker, KCB., Naval Commanderin-Chief, China, to the Secretary of the Admiralty, &c.

SIR.I did myself the honour of apprizing the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty on the 26th ult., from Chapoo, that his Excellency Lieutenant

General Sir H. Gough and myself had it in contemplation to make our next descent at Woosung, situated at the entrance of a large river of that name, branching from the Yang-tsze-Kiang; and I have now the gratification of reporting to their Lordships, that after a severe cannonading yesterday from her Majesty's squadron and the steam-vessels of the Indian navy, under my command, and a spirited resistance on the part of the Chinese, the whole of their numerous and heavy batteries, defended by several thousand men, were carried with little comparative loss by the seamen and marines, and a practicable place for disembarking the troops having been thus secured, the combined forces under Sir H. Gough took possession of Paoushan, a city of the third class, at the northern extremity of the sea-line batteries, without further resistance.

In detailing these operations, I beg to inform their Lordships that, as soon as the guns, arms, and military stores of every description taken at Chapoo were effectually destroyed, not a moment was lost in re-embarking the troops.

The fleet sailed thence on the 28th of May, and on the following day reached the Rugged Islands, lying fourteen leagues distant to the eastward, where Commanders Kellett and Collinson had recently discovered a safe and extensive sound, conveniently situated as an anchorage for the expedition, pending the further examination of those officers, assisted by Lieutenant Maitland, of the Algerine, to ascertain a safe channel for the large ships into the Yang-tszeKiang; but it was not until the 4th inst. that they were able to rejoin us with a satisfactory report of their investigation.

The fleet proceeded to the northward on the following day; but from the strength of the tides, calms, fogs, and the necessity of anchoring during the nights, we did not arrive at the appointed rendezvous off the Amherst Rocks before the 8th, when the Modeste, with the Nemesis and Phlegethon steamvessels, were immediately detached off Woosung, to intercept any communication with that place; and six of the small vessels were at the same time placed as beacons at the edge of the shoals on the north side of the channel leading into the Yang-tsze-Kiang. This highly important duty was executed most skilfully by Commanders Kellett and Collinson, as no landmarks are visible on the low banks of the river by which the dangers can be defined, and the Ariadne iron steam-vessel very narrowly escaped foundering, by striking on the point of a rock before unknown, near the position taken up by the Algerine. This rock is a wash at low water, and had not more than four or five feet on it at the time. The bottom of the steam-vessel was completely perforated, and the compartment which contains the engine instantaneously filled with water; but by prompt assistance from the squadron, and a sail being got under her bottom, the leak was sufficiently absorbed to enable her, with the assistance of the Sesostris, to reach Chusan, where I trust her damages will be made good in a few weeks.

The weather continued too thick for the ships again to break ground before the 13th, when I am happy to say the Cornwallis, conducted by Commander Kellett, and accompanied by the squadron, viz., the Blonde, Columbine, Jupiter troop-ship, Phlegethon, Tenasserim, Medusa, steam-vessels, and twelve transports, succeded in reaching the anchorage off Woosung under sail, without a single accident, though running for a distance of 30 miles in water, which only exceeded by three feet the draught of the ship.

I found that Commander Watson, with Mr. Forster, the master of the Modeste, had been indefatigable since their arrival, in making observations and sounding the narrow channel, by which alone the Woosung river can be approached. The banks at the entrance were lined with strong batteries, the western side presenting for three miles an uninterrupted fortified embankment, mounting 134 guns, between the city of Paonshan and the village of Woosung. This village is bounded by a creek, on the opposite bank of which a semi-circular battery, mounting ten 24-pounders, was erected to flank the entrance of the river. A strong fort, mounting 21 guns, at the eastern entrance of the Woosung

completed the sea defence, making a total of 175 guns, which were all placed in judicious positions.

The distance between the last mentioned fort on the east side and the main battery on the west line is scarcely a mile, and the channel which runs between them on the west side in a curved direction is not more than 320 yards wide.

A close reconnoissance was made by Sir Hugh Gough and myself in the Medusa steam-vessel on the 14th; but we were unable to discover any spot where the troops could be landed, except under the guns of the ships; and I could not entertain a doubt of soon effecting the object, if they could be placed in good positions for cannonading the works.

Although the weather was unfavourable, every difficulty was overcome by the zeal and perseverance of Commmanders Kellet and Collinson, assisted by the masters of her Majesty's ships-viz., the Cornwallis, Mr. J. Coaker; the Blonde, Mr. H. A. Thomas; the Modeste, Mr. J. T. Forster; the Columbine, Mr. R. G. Wills, who during the nights sounded and buoyed the channel with admirable accuracy. The Medusa was then advanced as near the batteries as we could venture to anchor her, supported by guard-boats, to prevent the Chinese removing the buoys, and by the vigilance of Lieutenant Hewitt, none of them were disturbed.

The Sesostris returned from Chusan on the 15th, and the wind being adverse for the ships taking up their positions under sail, I determined on placing them against the batteries by the aid of the steam-vessels, and the following morning being from the state of the weather and tide favourable for our purpose, they were lashed alongside her Majesty's ships at dawn of day, and at 6 o'clock the whole proceeded to the attack in the following order :-The Blonde, towed by the Tenasserim; the Cornwallis, towed by the Sesostris; the Modeste, towed by the Nemesis; the Columbine, towed by the Phlegethon; the Clio, towed by the Pluto; the Algerine to get in as far as possible under sail, the Medusa being reserved to meet any unexpected contingency.

The Blonde and Cornwallis were directed to anchor against the heaviest batteries at the entrance on the western side, and when placed, the sloops were to proceed higher up under the cover of their fire, to attack those adjoining the village of Woosung, and the flanking battery immediately opposite to it, which it was evident could be passed and enfiladed if the depth of water marked on the charts in our possession proved correct.

The Blonde was kept ahead of the Cornwallis, to be ready to support the sloops should they require it, the narrowness of the channel in which we were to anchor making it doubtful in that event whether there would be space for her to pass this ship.

Captain Bourchier led in with his accustomed gallantry and ability, closely followed by the Cornwallis, bearing my flag, under a heavy fire from the batteries on both sides, which we were obliged to approach. Commanders Kellett and Collinson handsomely volunteered their assistance as pilots; and about half-past 6 o'clock the two ships were anchored by the stern, in excellent positions, within 500 yards of the batteries, the sloops passing on successively to their stations.

The Algerine was obliged to bring up astern of the Cornwallis, and the Sesostris, after casting off from this ship, in proceeding to take a station to enfilade the fort on the eastern side, unfortunately took the ground, but in a position which enabled Commander Ormsby to render very essential service, of which he ably availed himself.

Before the Tenasserim, could take up her assigned station the North Star was observed outside endeavouring to enter the channel. The former vessel was therefore despatched to tow her into position, and under the guidance of Commander Kellett she was placed in a good berth, ahead of the Blonde, in time to participate in our operation. The Tenasserim then attempted to close the eastern battery, with which the Sesostris and some of the larboard guns of the Cornwallis were engaged, but in doing so she likewise took the ground, although in a situation to render very effective service.

It is but justice to say, that the Chinese evinced much firmness at their guns, and kept up a smart fire for a considerable time, although it gradually slackened after the ships opened on them.

The gun practice of the squadron equalled the most sanguine expectations, and by 8 o'clock our opponents were all driven from their batteries, those opposite to the ships being reduced to a ruinous state. Large bodies of troops, however, were still observed from our mast-heads collected in different directions to oppose our landing, but they were at length dispersed by shells, which were thrown with excellent precision by the gunnery officers of the Cornwallis and Blonde, with the addition of some rockets from the former ship.

During the proceedings at the entrance of the river, the Modeste, Columbine, and Clio, led on with great spirit by Cammander Watson, and skilfully conducted by the steam-vessels respectively attached to them, gallantly and completely achieved the service assigned them. The Modeste pushed at once into the creek at the village of Woosung, while the Columbine and Clio approached the opposite flank of the semi-circular battery, which was immediately abandoned, and, the guns adjoining the village being soon silenced, the three commanders landed at the head of their men about 8 o'clock, and took possession of it, but not without some resistance from the Chinese troops in that quarter. On perceiving this movement, the main body of the seamen and marines, who were already in the boats, immediately disembarked opposite the Cornwallis and Blonde, under Captain Bourchier, supported by Captain P. Richards and Sir J. E. Home, and, forming a junction with Commander Watson's party, the whole line of the western batteries were completely in our hands.

The Chinese in the eastern battery, which also suffered considerably, retired shortly afterwards, when Commander Ormsby promptly landed with a party of men from the Sesostris and Tenasserim, and destroyed the guns and works.

The smaller steam-vessels equally contributed to the success which attended Commander Watson's division, and when the Nemesis and Phlegethon were disengaged from the Modeste and Columbine, Lieutenants Hall and M'Cleverty proceeded with their usual activity in chase of 13 war-junks which had fired on them in their advance. These were totally destroyed, each mounting about three guns besides small arms, but the crews after sustaining much loss made their escape. Three small junks, newly constructed with paddle-wheels to work by hand, were also taken. In performing this service the Nemesis took the ground and remained for some hours on shore, but got off without injury; and I must not omit to notice the exertions of the Medusa and Pluto with similar approbation.

No time was lost in despatching the available steam-vessels for the troops, and before 1 o'clock I had the satisfaction of seeing the whole of the land forces disembarked, without accident, under their gallant General, opposite to the Cornwallis, and in the afternoon the combined forces entered Paoushan without resistance.

I now gladly acquit myself of a very gratifying part of my duty in bearing testimony to the gallantry and satisfactory conduct of the captains, commanders, officers, and men of all ranks in the Royal and Indian navy and Royal Marines under my command.

It would be almost invidious to particularize where all have displayed the most emulative spirit of enterprise and zeal, the whole being entitled to my unqualified commendation. But from the special position of my flag captain, I may be allowed, without prejudice to these sentiments, to express my acknowledgments for the very valuable assistance which I at all times derived from the unwearied exertions and good judgment of Captain P. Richards, and I may add that my secretary, Mr. B. Chimmo, and flag-lieutenant, C. E. Tennant, have invariably attended me on every occasion of service with most praiseworthy zeal.

I transmit herewith, for their Lordships' information, lists of the killed and wounded, the damages sustained in the respective ships, the names of the

officers attached to the landing parties on the 16th, and an account of the guns which have been taken.

It is impossible to state accurately either the force or loss of the Chinese, as they are quick in removing those who have suffered; but, from the number of bodies found in different directions, I cannot estimate their killed at less than 100, and a proportionate number of wounded; and, from various accounts, they must have had from 5,000 to 10,000 men for the defence of Woosung and Paoushan.

Many additional guns have fallen into our hands at and to the northward of the city; a considerable number of those taken are of copper, which we are now embarking in the ships of war and transports, and as soon as the destruction of the Chinese military stores is completed, the General and myself propose to advance on the city of Shanghae.

I have, &c.,

W. PARKER, Vice-Admiral.

From a return of the killed and wounded on board Her Majesty's ships and vessels, and those of the Indian navy in the attack on the batteries of Woosung, the 16th of June, it appears, that two only, both of the Blonde, were killed, and 25 in all wounded.

List of her Majesty's ships and those of the Indian Navy engaged in the operation against Woosung, on the 16th of June.

Cornwallis, Capt. Peter Richards.
Blonde, Capt. T. Bourchier, CB.

North Star, Capt. Sir J. E. Home, Bart.

Modeste, Com. R. B. Watson.

Columbine, Com. W. H. A. Moorhead.

Clio, Com. E. N. Troubridge.

Algerine, Lieut. W. H. Maitland.

Jupiter, Mr. G. B. Hoffmeister, Master commanding.

Sesostris, Capt. H. A. Ormsby, Indian navy.

Pluto, Lieut. J. Tudor, RN.

Phlegethon, Lieut. J. J. M'Cleverty, RN.

Nemesis, Lieut. W. H. Hall, RN.

Medusa, Lieut. W. H. Hewitt, Indian navy.
Tenasserim, Mr. A. P. Wall, Acting-Master, RN.

(True copy)

W. PARKER, Vice-Admiral.

From his Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir W. Parker, Naval Commander-in-Chief, China, to the Secretary to the Admiralty, &c.

Cornwallis, off Woosung Harbour, June 24th, 1842. SIR.-In anticipation of our advance on Shanghae, communicated in my letter of the 17th inst., I beg to acquaint you, for the information of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the Phlegethon and Medusa, were despatched up the river on that day with Commander Kellet, to ascertain if any obstruction might be expected, either from the Chinese forces or want of water for the steam-vessels in their passage with the troops; but they returned in a few hours, having been stopped by two strong batteries on each side of the river, about six miles above Woosung, that on the left bank mounting 46, and on the opposite 14 guns; the latter opened a distant but ineffectual fire on the steamvessels.

The Modeste, Columbine, and Clio, towed by the Nemesis, Phlegethon, and Pluto, were, therefore, immediately sent in advance, with directions to Com

« ÀÌÀü°è¼Ó »