'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎144] (163/622)

144
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAYY.
immediately in rear of the 'Queen' and 'Sesostris' were the
steamers 4 Phlegethon ' and ' Nemesis.' The fleet rendezvoused
off the harbour of Amoy on the 25th, and, on the following
morning, the defences were reconnoitred by Sir Hugh Gough
and Sir William Parker. These appeared to be of vast extent
and great strength, and the battery is described by Mr. Mc
Pherson, in his account of the war, as upwards of a mile in
length, faced with mud and turf, several feet thick, and mount
ing about one hundred guns. It was decided that the line-of-
battle ships 'Wellesley' and 'Blenheim' should attack the
strongest batteries, the forty-four gun frigates 'Druid' and
'Blonde,' and the ' Modeste/ sixteen guns, the island of Koolang-
soo, while the 6 Cruiser,' 4 Columbine,' 6 Pylades,' and ; Algerine/
engaged the extreme point of the line, and covered the landing
of the troops, flanked by the * Sesostris' and ' Queen.'
' 4 About a quarter past one," says Sir W. Parker, in his
despatch, of the 31st of August, to the Governor-General, u a
steady and favourable breeze having set in, the squadron
weighed and proceeded to their stations. The 'Sesostris,'
being the most advanced, received a heavy fire before any
return was made. She was soon joined by the 4 Queen,' and
both commenced action with good effect." The 6 Wellesley'
and 'Blenheim' anchored at 2.30, within four hundred yards of
the principal battery, and opened fire, the remainder of the fleet
commencing to engage about the same time. Lieutenant (now
Admiral Sir) Richard Collinson, in the ten-gun brig 'Bentinck,'
who was employed sounding ahead of the ' Wellesley,'anchored
within the entrance of the harbour, " w 7 here he was joined,"
says the Admiral, 64 by the 6 Sesostris,' which was placed by
Captain Ormsby in a very judicious situation for relieving her
and the other ships from a raking fire." " The fire of the
Chinese," he continues, " soon slackened, under the excellent
gun practice of the squadron," and about 3.30 the troops,
with detachments of seamen, were landed and carried the
batteries."
On the following day the city was entered, and the citadel,
with its vast magazines and granaries, fell into the hands of
the victors. The Admiral says :—" I have the highest satisfac
tion in reporting the gallantry, zeal, and energy, which have
been manifested by every officer and man in H.M.'s Navy and
Royal Marines, as well as those of the Indian Navy under my
command. They have vied with each other in the desire to
anticipate and meet every object for the public service, and are
fully entitled to my best acknowledgments, and the favourable
consideration of the Board of Admiralty and Indian Govern
ment." A small garrison of five hundred and fifty men was
left on the island of Koolangsoo, together with the 'Druid,
4 Pylades,' and ' Algerine,' for their support.