'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎380] (399/622)

380
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAV7.
which he was celebrated. The ' Auckland' was also present at
Bankok during the ratification of the treaty between He
Majesty and the King of Siam.
In December, 1856 soon after the outbreak of hostilities with
Unna, the Auckland was ordered to Hong Kong; to re-inforcp
the squadron under the immediate command of Rear-Admiral
Sir Michael Seymour Pier first service on this station was
against piratical and Mandarin junks, assisted by the 'Eaglet'
a small hired steamer, commanded by Mr. Ellis, Master R.n'
when the ' Auckland' destroyed five heavily-armed iunk's at
Lantao, mounting sixty-four guns, and burnt and destroyed
two batteries mounting thirty guns. One battery was blown
np by a shell fired by Commander Drought, who waited until
he could train the pivot-gun by a flash from the battery, it
being too dark to take proper aim. In this affair one seaman
was killed, and Lieutenant De Belin was severely scorched by
the blowing up of a junk, the Chinese having laid a train which
exploded as the party under his command boarded.
I 1 or this service the following letter was addressed to Com
mander Drought by the Commander-in-chief, dated, "H.M.S
'Calcutta,' at Hong Kong, 17th February, 1857.-I have read
with much pleasure your letter of yesterday's date, reporting
your proceedings in cruising after piratical and Mandarin junks,
between^ the 13th and J Gth instant, which resulted in the
destruction of five heavily-armed junks at Lantao, and of a
battery mounting thirty guns.
"I have to express to you my entire approval of your con
duct and that of your officers and ship's company on this
occasion, which I shall not fail to bring to the notice of his
Lordship the Governor-General of India."
1 hanks were also given to Commander Drought, his officers
and men, by the Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. , and by the Lords of the
Admiralty through the Bombay Government.
The 4 Auckland ? soon after engaged a fleet of eighty Man
darin junks, at Second Bar Creek in the Canton River, which
came down in line of battle to attack her, and, after a smart
action, she sunk many of them, when the remainder beat a
retreat. The 6 Auckland,' also, assisted in the capture of eight
Chinese vessels and seventy-two prisoners, and took and burnt
a piratical junk at Chung-Chow Island. On the 1st of April,
1857, during her last cruise upon this station, a Mandarin junk
was observed in the Bay of Toong Chung* The 'Auckland'
came to an anchor off the Bay, and all the boats were manned
and armed and despatched to cut her out, under the command
of the First-Lieutenant, Mr. Davies, an officer remarkable in the
Service for his gallantry and great personal strength. When
about ten yards from the junk, a battery on the beach, which,
up to that time, had reserved its fire, opened upon the ad-