The Sun.
London, England, 1859-09-17 00:00:00

THE DISASTER IN CHINA.

(Pim the Gazette of last evening.)
ADMIRALTY, SEPT. 16.
A despatch, of which the following is a copy, has been
received by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
from Rear-Admiral James Hope, C. 8., Commander-in-
Chief of her Majesty's ships and vessels on the East India
and China Station :

Chesapeake, Gulf of Pachili,
July 5, 1859.
request you will inform the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty, that having on the 17th ult., arrived off
the IKland of Sha-lui-tien, in the Gulf of Pechili, where I
reported in my letter, No. 66, of the 11th ult., the squadron
had been directed to rendezvous, I proceeded on the follow-
ing day to the mouth of the Paiho River, with the object
of intimating to the local authorities the intended arrival of
the lion. Frederick Bruce, her Majesty's Plenipotentiary
and Envoy Extraordinary, and Monsieur de Bourboulon,
Minister of his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the
French, and of reconnoitring the existing state of the de-
fences of the river.

2. These last appeared to consist principally of the re-
construction, in earth, and in an improved form, of the
works destroyed last year, strengthened by additional
ditches and abattis, as well as an increased number of
booms of a very much more formidable nature, a descrip-
tion of all of which will he found on the annexed plan, fur-
nished by Major Fisher of the Royal Engineers. Very
few guns were seen, but a considerable number of embra-
sines were masked with matting, evidently with a view of
concealing others.
3. Having sent an officer on shore to communicate with
the authoriti:is, he was met by a guard, apparently of coun-
try people, who prevented him from landing, informed him
that there were no officials nearer than Tient-sin, and on
his acquainting them with my wish that the obstructions
at the mouth of the river should be removed, in order to
enable the ministers to proceed to Tient-sin, a promise was
given that a commencement should be made for this pur-
pose within the next 48 hours.
4. On following day I moved the whole of the squadron
up to the anchorage off the mouth of the river, placing the
gun-boats insido the bar. On proceeding to examine the
entrance, on the 20th, and finding that nothing had been
done towards removing the obstructions before referred to,
I addressed a letter to the Tantai, at Tient-sin, acquaint-
ing-him with the object of arrival, and requesting free com-
munication with the shore. To this an evasive answer was
received two days subsequently.
5. On 21st I received a letter from Mr. Brace, acquaint-
ing me that M. de Bourboulon and himself had come to the
conclusion to place the matter in my hands, and requesting
me to take any measures I might deem expedient for clear-
ing away the obstructitns in the river, so as to allow them
to proceed at once to Tient-sin ; in consequence of which I
acquainted the Tantai, that the Ministers having arrived,
and the obstructions still existing at the mouth of the river,
I should proceed to remove them, using force if necessary,
the responsibility of the consequences resting with those by
whom I might be opposed. To this communication no reply
was received, and consequently on the 24th I took the force
inside the bar to prepare for operations, and gave further
intimation that after eight o'clock in the evening, if I re-
ceived no satisfactory reply, I should feel myself at liberty
to take my own course.

6. On the same night the parties named in the margin,*
under the direction of Capt. G. 0. Willes, cut one of the cables
of the boom, marked D in the plan, and blew two away with
powder. These last, however, were found reunited on the fol-
lowing day, the supporting logs of wood to which they were
cross-lashed being probably moored head and stern. Capt.
Willes availed himself of this opportunity to examine closely
the codstruction of the inner boom (plan E), and he found it
to consist of large baulks, well cross-lashed together, form-
ing a mass of timber not than 120 feet wide, and about
3 feet in depth. The opening shown in the plan might
have admitted of the passage of a gunboat, but the strength
of the current would, at any time, have rendered such a
passage a matter of exceeding difficulty and doubt. Under
these circumstances it was clear that no other mode of at-
tack was left open to me, except that on the front of the
works, and a subsequent endeavour to carry them bystorm,
should I succeed in silencing their fire.
7. The morning of the 25th was occupied in placing the
vessels in position (see plan), the Starling, Janus, Plover
(Flag), Cormorant, Lee,4Kestrel, and Banterer, being on a
lino parallel to the works on the South Fort, and the Nim-
rod in the rear of the line, with her fire bearing on the
North Fort. The Opossum, under Captain Willes, was
placed in advance, close up to the stakes, and the Forester
and Haughty in reserve, in rear of the line, the former
having directions to move up into the Plover's position,
should that vessel advance in support of the Opossum.
The vessels on the right wore under the direc-
tions of Capt. C. F. A. Shadwell ; those on the left under
Capt. N. Vansittart. The strength of the tide and the
narrowness of the channel (about 200 yards) had rendered
it a matter of extreme difficulty to take up the position above
detailed ; and the Banterer and Starling, the vessels on the
extreme right and left of the line, had both taken the ground,
the former, however, in a good position, the latter in one
which incapacitated her from taking much share in the
action.
At 2 p.m., I directed the Opossum to open a passage
through the first barrier, which being effected by 2.30, she
moved up to the second barrier, supported by the Plover,
closely followed by the Lee and Haughty, which vessels I
ordered in for that purpose.
On the arrival of the Opossum at the second barrier, the
forts opened a simultaneous fire of not less than between
30 or 40 guns, of calibres from 32-pounders to 8-inch, on
which I directed the ships to engage. The Plover took up
a position close to the barrier. The Opossum, Lee, and
Haughty, in succession, astern of her.
At 3 p.m.,t finding that the ships inside the barrier,
especially the Plover and Opossum, were becoming disabled
by the enemy's fire, they were dropped out into fresh posi-
tions outside of it, where, having received assistance in men,
they renewed the action.
In consequence of the Plover's disabled state, I shifted
my flag to the Cormorant ; and at 4.20 a severe wound I
had received about an hour previously compelled me to call
Captain Shadwell on board the Cormorant, and entrust to
him the more immediate command of the squadron.
At 5.40 the Kestrel sunk in her position ; and it became
necessary to put the Lee on the ground to avoid the like
result.

At 6.30 the fire from the north forts ceased altogether,
and half an hour later that on the south side was silenced
with the exception of that proceed.ng from one gun in the
outer or south bastion, one in the curtain on each side of it,
and oue in the flank of the centre bastion, also one in the
detached fort to the south.

At 7.20 a landing was effected opposite the outer bastion of
the south fort, the portion which appeared most injured by the
fire of the squadron, and where the attack could be best
supported by the guns of the vessels. The force consisted of
a detachment of Sapiers and Miners, under Major Fisher,
Royal Engineers; a brigade of Marines, under Col. Thos.
Lemen ; a division of seamen, under Captain Vansittart,
assisted by Commanders John E. Commerell and W. A. J.
Heath, the whole under Capt. Shadwell's direction, accom-
panied by a small detachment of French seamen, under
the command of Commandant Tricault.
They were encountered by a heavy fire proceeding from
those guns I have already named as not completely silenced,
as well as from gingalls and rifles ; but notwithstanding
these and other serious obstacles presented by the character
of the ground to be crossed, and the nature of the defences,
150 officers and men having reached the second ditch, and
about 50 having arrived close under the walls, had the op-
position they experienced been that usual in Chinese war-
fare, there is little doubt that the place would have been
successfully carried at the point of the bayonet.
Captains Shadwell and Vansittart and Colonel Lemon,
R.M., having been disabled in the advance, the command
in front devolved on Commander Comraerell, who, after
consultation with Majors Fi.her, R.E., and Richard Parke,
R.M., and Commandant Tricault, having reported to Cap-
thin Shadwell that they could hold their present position,
but that it was impossible to storm without reinforcements,
received from that officer the order to retire.
17. This operation was effected with a deliberation and
coolness equal to the gallantry of the advance, under cover
of the night, which had now closed in, the force being sent
down to the boats by detachments, carrying the wounded
with them, and eventually the whole were brought off by
1.30 a.m., of the 26th, Commanders Conunerell and Heath
being the last on shore.
18. I have already stated that the Lee and Kestrel had
sunk in their positions from the effect of the enemy's fire ;
and I regret to add, that in proceeding down the river after
the termination of the action, the Plover was grounded
within range of the forts, arid the Cormorant in endea-
vouring to remove, was also found to have taken the
ground. Under these circumstances I desired the officers
and men to be removed from them for the time, in order to
obviate the loss which might occur, should the enemy be
enabled to reopen their fire.
19. The Kestrel, I am happy to say, has since been re-
covered ; but notwithstanding every exertion which was
subsequently made, under the direction of Captain Willes,
to recover the three other vessels, the Plover and Lee
proved to be so hopelessly aground, that it was impossible
to move them ; while the Cormorant, which got afloat com-
paratively uninjured on the night of the 27th, was again
unfortunately grounded, within range of the forts, on mov-
ing down; and on the following day such a heavy fire was
opened on her, that although afloat, she sank at her
anchors, and the officers and men employed in removingb..er
were withdrawn as she went down.
20. The fire of the enemy being remarkably well directed
and sustained, occasioned the squadron consiierable loss,
amounting- to 25 officers and men killed, and 93 wounded,
of which 54 are slight. Among the former I have to re-
gret the loss of Lieut. W. H. Itason, commanding the
Plover, a very promising young officer, and Captain Theo.
M'Kenna of the Ist Royals, who was attached to me by the
Major. General commanding the Forces in China.
21. In the subsequent attack on shore 64 officers and men
were killed, and 252 wounded, of which 90 are slight.
Amongst the former I have to regret the loss of Lieut. A.
Graves of the Assistance, Lieut. C. H. Clutterbuck, and
Mr. 'l'. 11. Herbert, midshipman, both of this ship; of
Lieut. Hamilton Wolrie-"o of the Royal Marino Brigade, and
Lieut. H. L. T. Inglis, Royal Marines, of the Highflyer,
attached to the 2d Battalion.
Amongt the severely wounded are—
Captain Shadwell, C. 8., of her Majesty's ship Highflyer.
Captain Vansittart, C. 8., of her Majesty's ship Magi-
cicnnc.
Acting Lieutenant C. E. Buckle, of her Majesty's ship
Magicenne.
Mr. A. J. Burniston, Master of the Banterer.
Mr. N. B. Smith, Acting Mate of the Chesapeake.
Me. A. Powlett, midshipman of the Fury.
Mr. George Armytage, midshipman 4 Cruiser.
Alr. W. Ryan, gunner of the Plover.
Lieutenant George Longley, Royal Engineers.
Colonel Lemon, Royal Marines.
Captain W. G. R. Masters, Royal Marines, her Majes-
ty's ship Chesapeake.
Lieutenant J. C. Crawford. Royal Marine Artillery, and
The Res,. 11. Huleatt, Chaplain to the Forces.
22. The loss on the part of the French amounted to 4
men killed and 10 wounded, including 2 officers, one of the
latter, I regret to state, being Commandant Tricault.
.23. My warmest thanks are due to Staff-Surgeon Wal-
ter Dickson (1)), of this ship, Dr. John Little, of the Royal
Marine llrigade, and the medical officers of the force gene-
rally, to whose unwearied exertions I have to attribute the
pr sent satisfactory state of our wounded, and I avail my-
self of this opportunity of bringing under their lordships'
special notice the very high terms in which Colonel Lemon
soeak:4 of the services of 1)r. W. J. Baird, senior Assistant-
Surgeon of the Brigade.
21. It is a more grateful duty to request you will bring
under their lordships' notice the valuable assistance I re-
ceived from Captains Shadwell and Vansittart, in com-
mand of the respective divisions of gun-boats. Lieutenant
John Jenkins is highly recommended by Captain Shadwell
for the way in which he fought the Banterer,
Captain Vansittart speaks highly of Acting Commander

* Chesapeake--Lieutenant J. C. Wilson, 3lr. S. K. Broom,
gunner, and 6 seamen. Maglcienne—Mr. F. W, Egerton,
acting mate, and 6 seamen. Cruizer—Mr, W. Hartland,
boatswain, and IS seamen.
t At. this time Lieut. Rason, of the Plover, was killed, and
I placed Lieut. Georg() A. Douglas, my flag lieutenant, in
temporary command of tier.

R. J. Wynniatt of the Nimrod, Lieutenant A. J. Innos of
the Forester, Lieutenant J. D. Bevan of the Kestrel. and
Lieutenant W. H. Jones of the Lee, whose able conduct in
covering the landing, after he had been obliged to put his
vessel on the ground to prevent her sinking, had also at-
tracted my notice.

To CoMmander A. Wodehouse of the Cormorant Lieu-
tenant C. J. Balfour of the Opossum, J. D. Bread of the
Haughty, and 11. P. Knevitt of the Janus, my thanks are
also due for the manner in which their vessels were fought
and handled.

My thanks are also due to Major Fisher, Royal Engi-
neers, whose men being distributed as riflemen in the gun-
vessels and gun-boats, was himself present on board the
Plover.

The Nozagavy, French gun-boat, not being armed in a
manner which enabled her to share in the attack, Monsieur
Tricault, Commandant of the DuchaybrA, did me the honour to
attach himself to me from the commencement of the action
until he landed.

Mr. J. W. M. Ashby, my Secretary, besides being on
duty with me, took charge of the signal duty when my
Flag Lieutenant took command of the Plover.
To Commandat J. E. Commerell and W. A. J. Heath,
for their conduct during the operations on shore, my warm-
est acknowledgments are due. Com. Commerell brings un-
der my notice Lieutenants George Parsons and John C.
Wilson, of the Chesapeake, and C. E. Buckle, Acting, of
th© Magicienne, Messrs. George S. Peard, John Shortt,
and Viscount Kilcoursie, Mates and Messrs. George
Armytage and C. L. Oxley, Midshipmen.
To Colonel Lemon my warmest acknowledgments are
Also due for the way in which he led the brigade. That
officer strongly recommends Major Parke, who commanded
the First, and Captain Masters, who commanded the
Second Battalion, and brings under my notice the assist-
ance he received from Captain P. M. C. Croker, Brigade-
Major, Lieutenani, L. Rokeby, acting as his Aide-de-Camp,
Lieutenants and Adjutants John F. Hawkey and H. L.
Evans, and Lieutenant John Straghan. The conspicuous
gallantry of Sergeant-Major Wood and Quartermaster-
Sergeant Hailing also attracted his notice.
Major Fisher, Royal Engineers, speaks highly of the gal-
lantry of Lieutenant J. N. Maitland, R.E., in endeavour-
ing to get the scaling-ladders up, a service in which Lieu-
tenant Longley, R.E., was engaged and unfortunately
wounded.
To Captain J. 0. Willes my warmest thanks are due for
his exertions in re-embarking the force when it became
evident that the attack had' failed, on which service he re-
remained till Commander Commerell reported to him that

the last man was re-embarked.
He speaks highly of Lieutenant J. C. Wilson and M.
John St. John Wagstaffe, Assistant-Paymaster, on that
occasion (the latter of whom accompanied him throughout
the day). Upon Captain Willes also devolved the arduous
duty of directing the gallant attempts which were subse-
quently made to recover the Plover, Lee, and Cormorant,
and when that became hopeless, to effect their destruction,
and to his unwearied zeal, I am indebted for carrying out
the repairs of the gun-boats, all of which have been placed
on the ground for that purpose.
He speaks highly of all the officers and men employed
on this service, and especially of the gallantry of Lieute-
nant N. P. Knevitt, of the Janus, in laying out an anchor
for the recovery of the Cormorant, under a heavy fire, and
of that of Mr. Oscar Samson, Second Master of the Star-
ling, who recovered that vessel under a sharp fire from the
enemy, on her floating ; of the efforts made by Liout. Wil-
son and Mr. S. R. Broome, gunner of the Chesapeake, to
destroy the vessels which were no longer recoverable ; and
of the energy displayed by Mr. W. D. Strong, Master of
the Cruiser, in raising the Haughty, which had sunk.
He further calls my attention to the exertions of the
carpenters of the Assistance, Cruiser, and Magicienne,
under the direction of Mr. R. Pickard, of this ship, who
in effecting the repairs of the gun-boats, with the arti-
ficers of the squadron, had many difficulties to surmount.
From what has preceded their lordships will be well able
to appreciate the devoted gallantry displayed by- the officers
and men on this occasion ; and although it has not pleased
God to crown our efforts in the execution of our duty with
success, I yet feel entire confidence that those efforts will
obtain from their lordships that full measure of approba-
tion they have so well deserved.—l have, &c.,
(Signed) J. HOPE,
Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
To the Secretary of the Admiralty.