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confidence amongst the inhabitants of Hong Kong. I shall send back the "Auckland" to Singapore as soon as I can possibly spare her, as her services are very useful in the Straits of Malacca.
The ships of the squadron still enjoy good health. The disposition sheet will show their present positions.
I have, &c.
(Signed) M. SEYMOUR.
Inclosure 2 in No. 16.
Commander Jenkins to Captain O'Callaghan.
"Comus," Canton River, January 31, 1857.
Sir,
IN compliance with your directions, I have the honour to report, for the information of the Commander-in-chief, that at 12·45 A.M., on the 27th instant, two large junks were seen rapidly approaching the ship up Elliot Passage, under all sail, with a fresh breeze and a strong flood tide. The "Comus," laying-to, the stream anchor astern, the wind bringing the starboard broadside to bear well on Elliot Passage, immediately fired on them, the first shot passing through the foremost junk: she instantly burst out in flames, and passed across the stern, carrying away the spanker boom. The other one, which was fired near the same time, passed along the starboard broadside, and hung on the whisker and fore-yard arm for the space of twenty minutes before she could be cleared, scorching the fore-rigging, jib-guys, stays, &c., along the bowsprit.
They were evidently fastened together, as the one which crossed the stern closed again on the port bow, with foresail set, against wind and tide, until a coir hawser was cut, when she was towed away by the boats, both junks being grounded together above 49th Point.
I would beg to bring to the notice of the Commander-in-chief the conduct of the officers and crew of Her Majesty's ship "Comus" on this trying occasion, especially of Henry Sampson, A.B., who got up the fore rigging through the fire, and cut away a number of stink-pots and the rigging of the junk foul of the foreyard-arm; and also James Armstrong, A.B., who boarded the junk from the pinnace, and cut away her fore halliards.
I would also beg to notice the dispatch with which the "Coromandel." came to our assistance, as also the "Calcutta's": barge, "Sybille's" launch, "Niger's" pinnace, and "Hornet's" cutter.
I have, &c.
(Signed) ROBT. JENKINS.
Inclosure 3 in No. 16.
Commander Forsyth to Rear-Admiral Sir M. Seymour.
"Hornet," off Hamilton Creek, February 11, 1857.
Sir,
IN pursuance of your orders of the 9th instant, and whilst on my way down the river, I observed a large fleet of junks, in three divisions, two of which were anchored at the entrance to Escape and Tsychee Creeks, numbering about fifty war-junks, the other, consisting of about the same number, were three miles from the entrance of Escape Creek. The latter, on our approach, weighed, and joined the division in the first-named creek.
The row-boats attached to the junks were very numerous, and lined the shore close to the junks, evidently with the intention of protecting them from an attack by boats.
I immediately cleared for action, and, having got within good range, anchored by the stern, and at 4·42 P.M. commenced firing, our foremast quarters bearing on the Tsychee Creek, the after quarter on Escape Creek, the enemy returning our fire with much rapidity. At 5·42, having silenced the enemy's fire in Tsychee Creek, I was enabled to weigh, and close the other two divisions within 800 yards, and commenced firing grape and shrapnell, with ricochet shot, into the whole mass of junks,
