The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-08 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JAN VARY 8, 1855.

.ADJIMALTY DESPATOBES.

THE DESTRUCTION Or .TB E = PIRATICAL
SETTLEMENT IN THE CHINESE SEAS. •

The following despatches have been received at
the Admiralty from :Rear7Adthiral Sir James Stir;
ling, commander-in-chief on the East Indian and
China station, -reporting operations of boats of
Spartan, under Lieutenant Palliser, of. that ship,
in pursuit
.of pirates :-,

SIR JAMES STIRLING TO THE LORDS OF THE ADMIRALTY.

(Received Jan. 6, 1855.)

"Winchister, at Ifong-kong, 'Nov: 8, 1854.
" have the honour to transmit herewith, for
the information of my Lords Commissioners of the Ad-
miralty, the copy of a letter I have received from Capt.
Sir William Iloste, Bart., of her Mnjesty's ship Spartan,
dated the 20th u!t., with its inclosures, reporting the
operations of a detachment of seamen and marines in
the boats of that ship, -under the orders of .Lieutenant
Wray Palliser, which their lordships will perceive hap-
pily resulted in the recovery of a French lady, who had
been seized by the pirates, and part of the cargo of a
vessel they had plundered, as well as in the destruction
of three forts, mounting 17 guns, the piratical settle-
ment, and 20 piratical junks, without the loss of a single
man.

"1 haVe on two former occasions (letters Nos. 48 and
58) expressed my opinion of- this officer's conduct on
similar services, and now again feel it my duty to draw
their lordships' attention to the jtidgment, gallantry, and
discretion evinced by Lieutenant Wray Palliser on the
present occasion, and to the important assistance ren-
dere.' to him by Lieutenant A. Morrell, R.N., Lieut.
Stokes, Mr. Oliver, mate, Mr. Roger; second
`master, and the other officers, seamen, and marinesena -
ploy el under hini.—l have, &c.,
(Signed) " JAMES STIRLING,
"Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief."

(Inclosure in No. 74.)

CAPTAIN TIOSTE TO ItEA.R-ADMIRAL SIR JAMES STIRLING.
"Her 14ajesty's Ship Spartan, Hong Kong,
Oct. 20, 1854.

" Sir,—My letter of the 17th instant will have in-
formed you of the retsrn of the Lady Mary Wood, and,
the unsuccessful result of her cruise as far as the rescue
of the French lady taken by pirates from the barque
Caldera was concerned. In consequence of a requisition
from, the Vice-Consul of France (Inclosure No. 1), that
I would permit another force to proceed in the steamer
Ann, for a further search, I again despatched 85 sea-
men and marines, as detailed in Inclosure No. 3, under
the command of Lieutenant Palliser, with orders to
search for the French subject abovementioned, and to
effectually destroy the piratical settlement in the island
of Symong.
" The force returned this day, having been most suc-
cessful. The French lady has been recovered, and the
piratical forts and settlements of Coo•choo-mee, from
Which cur boats were fired upon on the 15th inst„ com-
pletely destroyed. I 'herewith inclose Lieutenant Pal-
liser's report, Inclosure No. 2. .
" I had given to Lieutenant Palliser directions to de-
stroy the town of Coulan should ho obtain certain infor-
mation of the inhabitants being concerned in the plunder
of the Caldera. On his entering the bay the boats were
fired upon by 20 large junks, and several batteries of
heavy guns. Lieutenant Palliser, seeing that any attack
with the f.irce he had would be useless, most judiciously
retired. There' can be no doubt that Coulan is the
stronghold of a large piratical fleet that'has infested this
neighbourhood, and committed great depredations for
the last seven months. No ship throWn on the coast or
passing its vicinity is safe. They detach small parties
to plunder in this neighbeurhood, who carry their booty
to C.mlen, where they consider themselves impregnable.
I am of opinion that no boats could successfully cope
with them ; but it appears, from the soundings taken,
that a steamer might be got within range, and a large
force landing at the same time might effectually destroy
the place.
" Lieutenant Palliser speaks in high terms of the con-
duct of the officers under him. The conduct of the men,
who worked for 12 hours under a burning sun, was most
exemplary, and though exposed to great temptation in
the shape of hquor, no case of drunkenness occurred.
I cannot conclude without bringing to your excellency's
notice the judgment and gallantry of Lieutenant Palli-
ser, by whose judicious arrangements the object of these
two expeditions has been most satisfactorily attained.
This is the fifth occasion within four months in which
Mr. Palliser has been employed suacessfully in command
of boats of this ship against pirates. And when it is
taken into consideration that on the two latter occasions
the steamers were unable, from their draft, to come
within nine miles of the shore ; that Lieutenant Palliser
was left entirely to his resources, oppoSed to a very supe-
rior force ; that he captured three forts mounting 17
guns, and completely destroyed a large piratical settle-
ment, I hope I shall not be considered presumptuous in
requesting your excellency will be pleased to bring his
conduct to the favourable notice of my Lords Commis-
sioners of the Admiralty,—l have, &c.,

(Signed) "W. lloszE, Captain."

(Sub-Inclosure No. 1.)

GnORGE L. lIABSELL TO CAPTAIN 'WILLIAM HOSTE.

" Vice Consulate of France, Hong Kong,
Oct. 16, 1854.
"Sir,—The Lady Mary Wood having been obliged to
return to this place this morning without having suc-
ceeded in rescuing the French lady, passenger on board
the barque Caldera, seized by the pirates to the south of
Macao, I would ask if you could allow another force
from your vessel to go down to the resort of these
pirates in a steamer that the agents of the insurance
companies (interested in the cargo of the barque) are to
send down to-morrow morning for the purpose of saving
what cargo they can, that is now lying in the houses on
shore at that place, to renew the search after this un-
fortunate person. I ant desirous of leaving no means
untried to rescue this lady, and I shall feel much obliged
if you can accede to my request.—l have, &c.,
(Signed) "GEO. L. HAKSELL,
" Vice-Consul for France."

(Sub•lnclosure No. 2.)

LIEUTENANT PALLISER TO OAPTAIN SIR W. HOSTE, PART.
" Her Majesty's Ship Spartan, Hong Kong,
Oct. 26, 1854. _ _

" Sir,—According to your directions, I proceeded, at
7 a.m. on the 17th inst., with 85 seamen and marines of
this ship, in the barge, pinnace,' and jolly-boat, to the
steamer Ann. On the evening of the same day we an-
chored near the wreck of the Caldera. The next morn-
ing I observed some suspicious-looking junks to wind-
ward ; we irnmediately.-went- in, chase with the barge,
pinnace, and jllly-boat. On our approaeh they made
[Jr the-shore, threw their guns overboard, the crew suc-
ceeding in escaping before we could come up With them,
leaving their vessels aground.
" I am happy to inform you that the first junk I
boarded had on board the French lady whom we have
been in search of, also a Chinese merchant who was
taken in the Caldera. I immediately sent them to the
Ann in the jolly-boat, buret the junk, and consequently
two others.

" We then pulled up to the villages of Coe-ehoo-mee,
and landed, having previously burst some Sizrapnell
shell over the town. We carried down to the boats all
Lhe cargo that was not damaged that we could find—
viz., 43 bags of sugar and 40 chests of tea ; and bnrnt
two separate villages. While employed embarking the
cargo we discovered another village, in an adjacent val-
ley, guarded by a battery, with men standing at the
guns. I immediately collected our men and went to the
attack. Not knowing the road we had to farce our way
through a thick jangle till we came in fade of a battery,
,vbieh opened fire on us with four guns and five wall-
pieces at about SO yards. At the same time we received
a shower of rocks and stones from a height that com-
manded the path, which knocked down several men.
We immediately charge 3, and cleared the battery, kill-
ing and wounding several, and the rest fled into the
jungle, where many were shot. We then burnt the vil-
age, which contained many houses, principally built of
brick. Four of the suns and two of the wall-pieces we
carried off, the rest we destroyed ; and after having
burnt 17 boats on the beach we returned to the Ann at
7.30 p.

"Early the next morning we left the Ann, in the boats,
and pulled into Couian Bay. Immediately on rounding
the point-we were fired upon from several batteries, situ-
ated in different parts of the bay; also from 20 large junks.
hauled up broadside on to the beach, mounting heavy
guns, from which they fired upon us with very fair pre-
cision, at a distance of 1000 yards. Near these large
junks there was a battery, from which they fired some
shell that burst short. After having satisfied myself as
to the force and position of this strong place, I retired.
behind the point, as I considered that from the very
strong position taken by the pirates any attempt that I
could have made with the force at my disposal to attack
the place would be useless. I therefore returned to the
Ann, and arrived in this harbour at 8.30 a.m. this day.
" I take this opportunity of expressing to Lieutenant
A. Morrell my thanks for his able advice and assistance
throughout the expedition. To Lieut. Stokes, who com-
manded the marines, and assisted me greatly, my thanks
are also due. I have great pleasure in informing you of
the exemplary conduct of the men throughout. I here-
with enclose a plan (by Mr. Henry D. Sarratt), second
master) of the Bay of Coulan, which appears to be the
stronghold of the pirates, and I am, happy to state no
casualties occurred.7l have, &c.,

(Signed) " W. PALLIER,
"Senior Lieutenant, H.M.S. Spartan."

(Sab-Inclosure No. 3.)

" DETAIL OF FORCE BELONGING TO HER MAJESTY'S SHIP
SPARTAN, EMPLOYED IN THE DESTRUCTION OF A PIRA-
TICAL FORT AND SETTLEMENT ON THE ISLAND OF' COO-
CHOO-MEE, OCT. 13, 1854. LIEUTENANT PALLISER IN
COMMAND.
"Barge, 12-pounder howitzer, Lieut. Palliser..
"Pinnace, 12-pounder howitzer, Lieut. Morrell.
" Jolly-boat, Mr. Sarratt, second master.
" 55 seamen, small-arm men ; Lieut. Stokes, two cor-
porals, and 18 privates Royal arines.
(Signed) " W. HOSTE, Captain."

In consideration of the gallant conduct, as well as
judgment displayed by Lieut. Palliser on the above occa-
sion, the Lords of the Admiralty have promoted that
officer to the rank of commander.

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.

The Royartieorge, screw, three.decker, Captain Cod-
rington, C. 8., is in the Sheerness basin. Her crew were
paid, and weat on leave on Saturday for a month, with
the exception cf the boys, who are to go this day. Her
poop is nearly taken off ; her topmasts are housed, but
yards across, and all the guns out • notwithstanding,
however, she draws more than 22 feet. We hear the
whole extent that this vessel will be cut down will be
confined to the poop. The upper deck guns will be
done away with, and two Lancaster guns will supply
their place.
The St. Jean d'Acre, said to be the finest and fleetest
vessel in the British navy, arrived in Queenstown on
Thursday, at 3 o'clock, having sailed from Plymouth
in less thai 21 hours. She has already two general
officerg on board, and is to take away 750 men to, the
Crimea. She carries besides a number of horses and a
large quantity of stores. The river steamers were busy
the whole of Friday conveying the troops on board, and
she was hourly expected to proceed on her destination.
The Cmsar, 91., screw, Captain Robb, having had her
defects made good, was put out of dock at Devonport,
on Friday. •
The Monarch, 84, Captain G. E. Patey, which was
towed out of Devonport Harbour on Thursday, was
paid wages on Saturday, and was expected to sail yes-
terday for the Pacific.
The Majestic, 81, screw, Captain Hope, C. 8., is in
No. 3 Dry Dock, Sheerness. Her topgallant masts are
housed, and all the rigging; rattled down and set up, &c.
Prev;ous to her men going_ on leave she will be all
ataunto, with Royal yards across. The crew are absent
for 18 days. Tacyaly repairin, the defects in the after-
part of her, but she will not he out of the engineer's
hands, we hear, for another month.

The Cresby, Si, screw, Captain Warren, is still in No.
1 Dry Dock, Sheerness, with her topmasts struck and
yards down. Her crew return from their leave on the
14th, by which time she will be ready to haul out, if not
before. She is coppered three feet higher than before,
and many of her defects made good.
The crew of tae Arethusa, 50, Captain Symonds, will
be paid wages to-morrow, and the ship placed in ordi-
nary. _ .

Melampus, frigate, now fitting out in Sheerness
basin for a store or troopship, progresses fast ; her top-
gallantmasts are on end, and the rigging is being rattled
down.

The Lizard, 3, paddle, Lieut. Commander Christopher,
is still in- the harbour at Sheerness, waiting Admiralty
orders.

The Janus, 5, paddle, Lieut.' Commander Kane, is in
Sheerness Harbour, waiting Admiralty orders.
The Amphion, 34,•screw-frigate, Captain Key, is still
under the sheers in Sheerness basin. The crew are all
drafted to the Nymph hulk. They expect to go on
leave the beginning of next week. There are only one
serjeant, one corporal, and six marines now on board
taking care of her. The lower deck and hatchway are
broken up, preparatory to taking out the boilers and
other parts of the machinery. Her guns are- all on
board.

The screw steam-corvette Cossack, 20, Captain Fan-
shawe, went out of harbour on Saturday, and anchored
in Plymouth Sound, where she toJk on board shot and
shell.

The Bonetta, 3, Lieut. C. Wake, which arrived at
Sheerness from Portsmouth last Friday evening, was
towed up to Chatham on Sftterdrvy, where she arrived at
two p.m. She left Rio de Janeiro on the 9th of Novem-
ber last. All hands .well ou board, and a first•rate crew
she has, having been four pars out. The crew appear
most ab!e and willing to continue their services to the
country. All they want is a.good leave of absence, and
when this has expired to be allowed to volunteer for any
ship they choose in her Majesty's service, which favour,
no doubt, will be allowed them.

The Lucifer, paddle, lett Portsmouth on Saturday, fur
Pembroke.

Sprightly, tender, Master Commander Allen, returned
to Ports'mouth, from Devonport, on Saturday.
The Fire-Queen; tender, Master Commander F. W.
Paul, went down to Osborne on Saturday evening with
despatches to her Majesty.,

Riley; Quartermaster Nicolane with 170 rank and
file. • .

" The Ripen reports the loss by fire of the .English
tianspbrt No. 119, the Iremsyke, at C3nstantinople ;
she was scuttled, and no lives lost. No particulars have
reached here.
" Tho Talavera, No. :93, has also arrived from the
Levarit with 90 naval invalids and the following officers :
Commander Lloyd ' • Drs. Evans, Bailie, and Gooch,
R.N. ; Lieutenants O'Brien and Harcourt, 30th Regi-
ment ; .Assistant-Surgeon Sylvester, and 148 rank and
file of the different regiments.
" The Vulcan' steam-frigate, which put into Malta
short of coal, left for Marseilles on the 29th.
" Yesterday her Majesty's steam-frigate Sampson left
port for Portsmouth. She had on board several invalids.
Among the passengers embarked was Dr. F. Crispi,
a refugee and au-advocate. He had edited a paper here
with the knowledge of the Government, but as he had
produced from the Opinions de Turino, a proclamation
of Mazzini, and had translated into Italian two letters
signed A Traveller in Italy,' from the Times, he has
been expelled from Malta and sent to England !"
The steam-ship Alma arrived at eight aou. on the 24th
of December at Malta, after a fine run of five days and
15 hours from Gibraltar. The weather was very rough
and stormy.