18
Inclosure 1 in No. 16.
Rear-Admiral Sir M. Seymour to the Secretary to the Admiralty.
"Calcutta," at Hong Kong, February 15, 1857.
Sir,
I HAVE the honour to report, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that I returned to the Canton river in the "Barracouta" on the 7th instant. The Macao Fort, under the able superintendence of Commander W. T. Bate, having been placed in a satisfactory state of defence, I was enabled to remove the "Hornet" below the Macao Passage barrier, to be employed elsewhere, leaving the "Encounter" above the barrier, within signal distance of the fort, to support the "Comus" or "Acorn" as may be needful.
On the night of the 27th ultimo, a bold and well-undertaken attempt was made to burn the "Comus" by two fire-junks, and her destruction was only prevented by the coolness and promptitude of her Commander, officers, and ship's company, with the ready assistance afforded by the "Coromandel" steam tender, and the boats that were able to reach her. I inclose a copy of Commander Jenkins' report on the subject, dated 31st January, and beg to draw their Lordships' notice to the good conduct of Henry Sampson, A.B., and James Armstrong, A.B., who rendered most efficient aid.
I dispatched the "Barracouta" on the morning of the 8th to reconnoitre the river in the neighbourhood of the Second Bar, and to communicate with the "Sybille." She returned shortly after, and Commander Fortescue reported that the war junks were in great force on the river, above the Second Bar, and that a large fleet up Escape Creek were in readiness to attack the rear of a passing ship. I immediately proceeded with the "Niger," "Hornet," and "Barracouta," in the hope of destroying them, but found they had retired about four miles up Escape Creek, where we were unable to follow.
On the 10th, the "Hornet," under orders to guard the river in the direction of the Second Bar, observed the same junks near the entrance of Escape and Tsychee Creeks. Commander Forsyth anchored as near the mouth of the former as the depth of water permitted, and opened a heavy fire upon them, driving them back, and capturing one junk mounting sixteen guns, without casualty on our side. The approach of night unfortunately prevented further advantage being obtained. Great credit is due to Commander Forsyth for his conduct in this affair, and he was well supported by his officers and ship's company. The hired steamer "Hong Kong," under the charge of Lieutenant Dent of the "Sybille," was able to take part towards the close of the firing. A copy of the report accompanies this despatch, to which I venture to call their Lordships' favourable attention. On my passage down the river yesterday I observed the junks higher up Escape Creek, and information was given by a fisherman that they had lost a large number of men in the engagement, and that they were repairing damages.
I am pleased to report that I have organised the two hired gun-boats, each of which carries a 56 cwt. 32-pounder in the bow, with smaller guns in the stern and broadside.
They are both in the river, assisting to keep the navigation open, and have already rendered service by examining some of the numerous creeks, and in supporting the boats of the squadron on similar duty. I came down to Hong Kong yesterday in the "Niger," to communicate with Sir John Bowring, and to dispatch my letters to Europe.
I shall be here again to receive the mail due the end of the month, by which I am expecting their Lordships' instructions for my further guidance.
I have little intelligence from Canton. It is rumoured that the Imperial High Commissioner is making great preparations for defence, both by land and sea. A large number of war junks continue visible in various creeks of the river.
A very acceptable addition of 340 troops was received from the Straits Settlements, on 31st January, by the hired steam-vessel "Sir James Brooke," the Governor of Singapore having sent them up upon the urgent requisition of Sir John Bowring and myself.
The above troops, with the seasonable arrival of Her Majesty's sloops "Elk" and "Camilla," and the Honourable East India Company's steam-sloop "Auckland," also sent up by the Governor of Singapore, have restored
