Narrative of the Voyages and Services of the Nemesis from 1840 to 1843: And of the Combined Naval and Military Operations in China: Comprising a Complete Account of the Colony of Hong-Kong and Remarks on the Character & Habits of the Chinese. Second EditionHall, W. H. (William Hutcheon), Sir
History
Narrative of the Voyages and Services of the Nemesis from 1840 to 1843: And of the Combined Naval and Military Operations in China: Comprising a Complete Account of the Colony of Hong-Kong and Remarks on the Character & Habits of the Chinese. Second Edition
Hall, W. H. (William Hutcheon), Sir
China -- History -- Opium War, 1840-1842; Hong Kong (China); Hong Kong (China) -- History; Nemesis (Steamer)
On the 26th of January the Nemesis started from Macao, with Captain
Elliot and several officers on board, and proceeded directly up
the Bogue. She was subsequently joined by the Madagascar, which
was to accompany her up to the place of meeting. Captain Herbert,
the Honourable Captain Dundas, and Captain Maitland, attended the
plenipotentiary. And now, for the first time, two steamers were to
enter the true Canton river, and as the Nemesis was the leading vessel
through the Bogue, she had, consequently, the honour of being the first
steam vessel, whether of wood or iron, which ever navigated the "inner
waters" of the Celestial Empire.
It was just at this time that the French corvette, Danaide, arrived in
the China waters, having been sent out purposely to watch our movements
in that quarter. This, indeed, could have been her only object, for,
as regards protection of trade, the French have never had any trade
with China worthy of the name, nor indeed had the French flag floated
over the walls of the foreign factories at Canton for many years, until
after the accession of Louis Philippe to the throne. Since that time
it has always been exhibited rather in hope of the future than for the
protection of present interests, for, except the French consul and his
attendants, there has been, until recently, scarcely a French ship in
China.
As the declaration of blockade was still in force against the port
of Canton, the Danaide was not permitted to proceed higher up than
Chuenpee, but her commander, Captain Rosamel, was politely invited by
Captain Elliot to accompany him on board the Nemesis, that he might
be a witness of the coming interview; an act of courtesy which was
handsomely acknowledged.
As the two steamers passed through the Bogue, each with a flag of truce
at the fore, they were saluted with three guns (the greatest number
ever given in China,) by the forts on both sides. The Chinese also
manned the works, and hoisted numerous gay silken flags; and the effect
of their curious costumes, and the general appearance of the forts of
Anunghoy and Wantung when their battlements were crowded with the eager
spectators, were very imposing. Certainly, the passage of two steamers
between them, the first they had ever seen, must have been an exciting
novelty. The bold, rocky steeps behind the batteries of Anunghoy,
frowning, as it were, and really commanding the batteries below,
grinning defiance with their whitened battlements, and the opposite
island of Wantung, with its numerous works, the more distant shore of
the mainland on the other side, and the remarkable Tiger Island ahead;
all these formed a very interesting and remarkable spectacle.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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