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)
the moment the two high functionaries were recognised by the Portuguese
officer of the guard, the latter were ordered to "turn out," as a mark
of _respect_; but were soon induced to defer it until a more fitting
opportunity.
Boats were now sent off, without delay, together with an interpreter,
in order to rescue the other sufferers; and at last they all arrived
safely in Macao, on the 25th of July.
But it is time to return from this digression to the harbour of
Hong-Kong, just at the time when the height of the typhoon had passed
over. Towards noon the wind veered round a little to the southward
of east; at two P.M., it began to moderate; and at three P.M., its
severity had past. Before sunset, the haze began to clear off a little,
and gradually the scene of devastation became more and more visible,
and presented such a frightful spectacle, that you could hardly believe
that it was the same harbour of Hong-Kong, which had been recently so
gay and tranquil, with crowds of shipping upon the smooth surface of
its waters. The shore was covered with wrecks and stranded boats, and
the temporary buildings on shore had disappeared altogether.
Many of our ships were now found to be missing, having been driven out
to sea during the fury of the gale. Among the latter was H.M. schooner,
Starling, about which great apprehensions were entertained. It was
feared that she might have foundered, with all hands on board.
On the following morning, at daylight, the Nemesis was ordered to go
out and render assistance to any vessels in distress, and to bring off
people from the wrecks; and particularly to look out for the Starling,
in case she should have gone on shore upon any of the neighbouring
islands. In every direction immediate assistance was required, and many
poor fellows were rescued by the Nemesis from a watery grave.
It was curious to remark how completely every vessel that had gone
on shore was torn to pieces, and in so short a space of time; every
part of them was broken up, and the fragments were floating about the
harbour and lining the shores on every side, above high-water mark.
A number of artillerymen and sappers were taken off the wreck of one
of our prize war-junks which had gone on shore; and the whole crew of
the Prince George merchant ship were likewise saved from one of the
neighbouring islands upon which they had been wrecked; but the captain
of the vessel refused to leave the island, where he vainly persisted
in seeking for the body of his unfortunate wife, who was drowned when
first the vessel struck.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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