The Sun.
London, England, 1842-01-15 00:00:00

FROM LAST NIGH.T'S GAZETTE
CAPTURE OF AMOY.
ADMIRALTY, JAN. 12. 1842.

Despatches have been received at this Office from
Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, K.C.8., of which
the following are copies or extracts :

Wellesley, at Amoy, Aug. 31, 1841.
Sta,—l request you will lay before my Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty the accompanying
copy of a despatch which 1 have addressed to the
Right Hon. the Governor-General of India, detailing
the proceedings of her Majesty's squadron under my
command, in the capture of the city of Amoy and the
island of Goiong-soo, with all their fortifications and de-
fences, by the combined forces of the expedition on the
26th instant ; on which event I beg to congratulate
their Lordships, and reiterate my entire approbation of
the gallantry and good conduct of all the officers, sea-
men, and royal marines of her Majesty's squadron, as
well as those of the Indian navy, and Bombay artillery
under my command.—l have the honour, Sec.
(Signed) W. PA RKE It, Rear- Admiral.
To the Secretary to the Admiralty.

Wellesley, in the Bay of Amoy, Aug. 31, 1841.
MY LORD,— it is with much gratification that I have
the honour of announcing to your Lordship the capture
of the city of Amoy and the island of Golong-soo
(which forms the west side of the harbour), together
with their strong lines of batteries and sea defences,
mounting above 228 guns, by the combined forces of
her Majesty, after a short but vigorous attack, on the
26th inst., with very trifling loss on our part.
The expedition, comprising the ships of war here-
after named, and twenty-one transports, containing
the land forces, military and victualli ng stores, &c.
under the command of his Excellency Major-General
Sir Hugh Gough, sailed from the anchorage of Hong-
kong on the 21st, and fortunately arrived off the islands
at the entrance of Amoy by sunset on the 25th.
A few shots were discharged at her Majesty's
ships as they passed between the fortified islands,
but no mischief was done. It was then beginning
to blow strong, but favoured by a fair wind and
good moonlight, with the advantage of the local
knowledge of Captain Bourchier of the Blonde, the
fleet were pushed into the bay, and anchored in security
for the night.

It blew too hard during the night to admit of any
boats leaving the ships to bound or make observations ;
but no time was lost after daylight in reconnoitering
the Chinese positions, in which the General and Sir
Henry Pottinger did me the favour to accompany me
in the Ptiegethon steam-vessel.
We found the batteries and works of defence on the
entire sea face strengthened by every means that
the art of these active people could devise ; present-
ing a succession of batteries and outworks, from the
extreme outward points of this extensive bay, until
within aoout three quarters of a mile of the entrance of
the harbour. where a high barrier•wall was constructed
from the foot of a steep and rocky mountain to a sandy
beach on the sea ; and from this latter point a strong
casemateci wall of granite, faced with soil, and occa-
sional Small bastions, with parapets of stone, to afford
fla.iking defences, was continued to the very suburbs
and entrance of the harbour, from whence were masked
batteries with sand-bags, until opposite the north-east
point of Golong son island, altogether one hundred and
fifty-two guns.

I -
On the island of Golong-soo, which is the key of
1 Amoy, strong batteries, mounting in all seventy-six
guns, were also placed in every commanding position for
flanking the approach to the harbour (which is scarcely
half a mile wide at the entrance), and protsetieg the
access:be points of landing.
As it was of the utmost importance, with a view
to ulterior operations, and the advanced period of
the present monsoon, that we should be delayed as
short a time as ptssible at Annoy, it was determined
that the batteries within the harrier wall and on the
island of Golong-soo should be immediately attacked
by the squadron, and the troops landed within the
barrier as soon as it might be practicable, to take the
batteries in the rear. For this object the Wellesley
and Blenheim were ordered to anchor against the
strongest batteries on Amoy, and as near the entrance
of the harbour as possible, leaving the Cruiser,
Pylades, Columbine, and Algerine, to engage the ex-
treme point of the line, and cover the landing of the
troops, flanked by the heavy guns of the Sesostris and
Queen steam-vessels, the Pnlegethon and Nemesis be-
ing appointed to receive the troops, and tow in the
boats for landing them.

The attack on the island of Golong-son, where we
had reason to apprehend the water was shoaler, was
assigned to Captai❑ Bourchier, of the Blonde, with the
Druid and Modeste, 150 marines under Captain Ellis,
and a detachment of the 26th Regiment, under Major
Johnstone.

Pending the necessary preparations for disembark-
ing the troops and moving the ships into their ap-
pointed positions, a communication was received from
the shore, requesting to know the object of our visit, to
which the answer No. 1 was returned.

About a quarter past one, a steal), and favou-pble
breeze having set in, the squadron weighed, and pro-
ceeded to their stations. The Sesostris, being the most
advanced, received a heavy fire before any return was
made. She was soon joined by the Queen, and both
commenced action with good effect.

The Wellesley and Blenheim, after ranging along
the line of works on Amoy under a smart fire, were
anchored by the stern about half-past two P.M., ad-
mirably placed by Captains Maitland and Herbert in
ten fathoms water, within 400 yards of the principal
battery, precisely in the position allotted them, and the
Cruiser, Pylades, Columbine, and Algerine, took
their stations with equal judgment.
The Blonde, Druid, and Modeste, ri;ached their
positions against the batteries on Golong•soo a few
minutes earlier, but their Captains found such difficulty,
from the shallowness of the water, in placing them satis-
factorily, that to effect this object they very spiritedly
carried their ships int.) almost their own draught.
The Bentinck had been appointed to sound the
channel a-head of the Wellesley, as we ran in, which
Lieut. Collinson very skilfully performed, and then gal-
lautly anchored the brig within the entrance of the har-
bour, where she was joined by the Sesostris, which was
placed by Captain Ormsby in a very judicious situation
for relieving her and the other ships from a fl inking fire.
The fire of the Chinese soon slackened under the
exeodent gun practice of the squadron. At half-past
three I had the satisfaction of seeing the Marines and
the 26th Regiment laud on the island of Golong•soo,
and the British colours planted on the batteries. The
Modesto and Blonde then weighed and stood into the
inner harbour ; und, after silencing, they passed the
town batteries, which were out of our reach ; they an-
chored completely inside and abreast of the city, taking
possession of twenty•six war junks, with 128 guns oe
board, in a state of preparation for sea, but deserted
by their crews.
. _ .

About the same time the first division of troops were
landed under the able direction of Comm.mnder Gifford,
of th, Cruiser, and, headed by their gallant General,
S:r Hugh Gough, escaladed and took possession of the
works at the barrier wall.

An outwork beyond this point (which had been
previously silenced) was also entered, and the British
co:ours hoisted by the crew of a boat from the Phle-
gethon ; and the batteries immediately opposite the
Wellesley and Blenheim heir.s nearly demolished, a
party of semen and marines were landed from those
ships, under the command of Commander Fletcher,
and the officers undermentioned, by whom the Chinese,