20
which must have done dreadful execution, as they were crowded with men to excess. Two of the junks were driven on shore, the others escaped into shoal water up the creek, where, from our draught of water, it was impossible for us to follow them.
We kept up our fire until the junks were out of reach, and, apparently, thoroughly beaten, two having grounded on the northern point of the creek, the rest being in full retreat.
During the action the "Hong Kong," hired steamer, commanded by Lieutenant Dent, of Her Majesty's ship "Sybille," assisted us with her fire upon the junks in Tsychee Creek.
At 11 P.M. our boats left, in command of Lieutenant Arthur M. Brock, with Mr. Ralph A. Brown, acting mate, both of whom gallantly volunteered their services, to go into the creek and bring out the junks that had grounded, one of which they succeeded in cutting out, I am happy to say, without any loss, the other escaped up the creek with the flood-tide. Three men were found dead on board, one, apparently, of rank, from the attention paid to the body, which was laid out abaft, covered with flags.
The enemy's fire, for some time, was rapid and well sustained, as your Excellency may imagine from each vessel carrying on an average ten guns. The one we captured mounted sixteen, nearly all of which were of English manufacture. She was fully armed, and stored as a vessel of war. When our ricochet shot and shell began to tell upon them, their fire slackened, and they retired in utter confusion.
The men having deserted their decks, at a rough estimation there must have been about 8,000 men on board the enemy's junks.
I remained at anchor in the same position until 7·30 this morning. The junks, three and a-half to four miles up the river, showed every appearance of having been completely beaten, and did not, as usual, hoist their colours. As I had no means of approaching them, I weighed, with the prize-junk and Her Majesty's steam-sloop "Barracouta" in company (which ship joined last night, after the action), to report my proceedings to your Excellency.
In concluding this report, I beg to bring before your Excellency's notice the great assistance I received from Lieutenant A. M. Brock, senior of this ship, Mr. Cornelius Fox, master, who took charge of the pilotage of the ship (the Chinese pilot having deserted his post early in the action), and Mr. Ralph A. Brown, acting mate, who commanded the gun-boat, and assisted in cutting out the junk.
The boats of the ship were much cut up during the action, but the ship has sustained little injury.
I have the honour to inclose a list of wounded, which, I am happy to say, is very trifling.
I have, &c.
(Signed) C. C. FORSYTH.
Inclosure 4 in No. 16.
Return of Killed and Wounded on board Her Majesty's ship "Hornet," in attack on Chinese War Junks, on February 10, 1857.
John Duffell, aged 27, Captain mizen-top, wound of eyebrow, slight.
(Signed) J. TERNAN, M.D., Surgeon.
No. 17.
Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon.—(Received April 28.)
Hong Kong, February 24, 1857.
(Extract.)
I HAVE received from the Count de Courcy a translation of the communication of the Imperial Commissioner on the subject of the poisonings, and I have now the honour to inclose copy of the same.
