'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎152] (171/622)

152
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAYY.
adjoining the village of Woosung, and the flanking battery
immediately opposite to it; and it was in order that she might
be in readiness to support the sloops, should they require it,
that the 6 Blonde' preceded the flag-ship, for the narrowness of
the channel made it doubtful whether she could pass her.
Captain Bourchier, closely followed by the ' Cornwallis,' towed
by the 1 Sesostris,' and piloted by Commanders Kellett and
Collinson, led the squadron into action with his accustomed
gallantry, and the advancing ships were met by a heavy fire
from the batteries on both sides, which they were obliged to
approach end on. About half-past six, the two ships were
anchored by the stern, within five hundred yards of the bat
teries, the sloops, with the exception of the 4 Algerine,' which
anchored astern of the 4 Cornwallis/ passing in succession to
their stations.
The 4 Sesostris,' after casting off from the flagship, proceeded
to take up a station to enfilade the fort on the eastern side; un
fortunately, she took the ground, but, says Sir William Parker,
u in a position which enabled Commander Ormsby to render
very essential service, of which he ably availed himself." The
'Tenasserim' proceeded to tow the 'North Star,' twenty-six
guns, into position ahead of the 'Blonde,' and then attempted
to close the eastern battery, with which the 6 Sesostris' and
some of the larboard guns of the 6 Cornwallis' were engaged,
but, in doing so, she likewise grounded, although in a situation
to render very effective service. The squadron maintained so
heavy a fire that, by eight o'clock, the enemy were driven from
the batteries, which were in a ruinous state. During these
proceedings, the 'Modeste,' 4 Columbine,' and 6 Clio,' towed by
the steamers, having silenced the battery opposed to them.
Commander Watson, senior officer, landed his men and took
possession of it, after a brief resistance from the Chinese
troops in that quarter. On perceiving this movement, the main
body of the seamen and marines, who were already in their
boats, immediately disembarked under command of Captain
Bourchier, and, forming a junction with Commander Watson's
party, which included a detachment from the 4 Sesostris,' under
Lieutenant Rennie, the whole line of the western batteries was
speedily occupied. Shortly afterwards, the Chinese in the
eastern battery, which had also suffered considerably under the
fire of the 4 Sesostris,' retired, upon which Commander Ormsby
promptly landed with a party of men from his ship and the
' Tenasserim,' and destroyed the guns and works. The three
steamers, 4 Nemesis,' 4 Phlegethon,' and 4 Pluto,' which had towed
the sloops, contributed by their fire to Commander Watson's
success, and the 4 Medusa,' under her spirited commander, well
performed her share in a warm morning's work. The steam
vessels were now sent for the troops, and, before one o'clock, the