4150-W-CHINA & 2nd OPIUM WAR

EVENTS LEADING TO THE SECOND OPIUM WAR

Since the 1830s relations between China and Britain, and indeed other western powers, had been unsatisfactory. The fundamental cause of this tension had been the desire of the European powers, and the United States, to open China up to their trade. The Napier mission to Canton in 1834 was the first significant phase of this struggle. It has been covered in the section covering James Hall's time in Andromache [PAGE2200].

The next phase had been the First Opium War which took place between 1839-42. The outcome of this war resulted in the British acquiring Hong Kong and the establishment of five Treaty ports through which trade could be carried out with China.

For a while the problem of trading relations between China and the Western nations appeared to have been settled however a month after Calcutta's arrival in Hong Kong an event occurred which became known as the 'Arrow Incident'.

THE ARROW INCIDENT

On the 8th October 1856 the Chinese authorities boarded a reputably British registered ship, the Arrow, which was lying off the city in the Canton River and removed 12 of its 14 Chinese crew. It's British master was not on board at the time. It was also claimed that the British ensign that the vessel was flying had been lowered.

This 'outrage' was immediately reported by the British Consul in Canton, Mr H. S. Parkes, in flowing Victorian prose, to the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir John Bowring and to Commodore Hon. H Elliot, the senior naval officer on the Canton river, who was based at Chuenpee some 30 miles downstream from the city. At the same time Mr Parkes also delivered to the Imperial High Commissioner and Governor General of the Two Kwang Provinces, Yeh. a strong protest demanding the return of the prisoners and a public apology. On the 11th October the naval Commander-in -Chief, Sir Michael Seymour learnt of the incident.

There was great indignation at this insult to British sovereignty and Sir John Bowring and Sir Michael Seymour conferred together. After seeking the advice of Mr Parkes they decided that as a first step they would warn Yeh that if a suitable apology was not received they would seize a Chinese government Junk as a hostage and Commodore Elliot was instructed accordingly.

In the meantime research had produced some inconvenient evidence. The registration licence of the Arrow had expired on the 27th September and the ship had no right to hoist the British Flag or expect British protection. At the same time Yeh had returned nine of the crew, only retaining three who had been identified as pirates. He also claimed that the flag had not been flying, but was in a locker below decks.

Faced with these developments one might have expected the British authorities to move cautiously, but they justified their aggressive ultimatums by arguing that the Chinese had not known that the licence had expired; they had broken the terms of Article 9 of the Treaty of Nanking, by removing the Chinese crew themselves rather than asking the British to return them; and that although they had returned nine of the crew, they had not done so in the public way that was stipulated in the ultimatum. In fact the Consul refused to accept their return.

CANTON RIVER

Before describing the various operations in which William took part it may be useful to give a brief geographical description of the waters between Hong Kong and Canton.

Canton, which is situated about 80 miles from Hong Kong, lies 35 miles upstream from the entrance to the Canton River. This entrance, which is known as the Boca Tigris, is about 2 miles wide and is

guarded by a number of forts situated on the islands on either side.

BOCA TIGRIS

Depths for the first ten miles of the channel above the entrance were over 5 fathoms and therefore sufficient for a ship the size Calcutta to moor in. Beyond that, depths over the Second Bar were less than 4 fathoms and only sufficient for steam paddle sloops, vessels not dissimilar to Styx and Bulldog. In the story that follows, William and the Admiral spent much of their time at Canton, either ashore in the British Factory or on board the Coramandel. Calcutta was never nearer than 25 miles from the city although her boats and their crews saw plenty of action.

STREET WITHIN CITY WALL

OPERATIONS

On the 15th October Commodore Elliot seized a Junk, but this had no effect on Yeh. Perhaps one reason for Commissioner's obstinacy was that the Junk turned out to be a private junk and subsequently had to be returned to its owner. Faced with this obstinacy Sir Michael stepped up the pressure. Two steam frigates lay off the British Factory (merchant settlement area) and on the 23rd four barrier forts that lay 5 miles downstream from the city were seized, in which action 5 Chinese were killed. The next day four more forts close to the City were captured and marines were landed in the Factory.

Not surprisingly the Chinese reacted to these developments and their troops unsuccessfully attacked the British position ashore and William, who had left his ship 30 miles downstream, was busy organising boat patrols to protect British forces against fire rafts. As an additional defence measure Chinese housing close to the Factory was destroyed.

HMS CALCUTTA AT BOCA TIGRIS

From the 27th - 30th October the Chinese Governor's compound was shelled and a breach blown in the city wall. William took part in both these activities and also landed twice to distribute pamphlets which, to reduce casualties, warned the local population of areas that were likely to be shelled.

Three weeks had now passed since the crew of the Arrow had been seized. As a result of this minor incident, decisions taken by the Governor and the Admiral had resulted in a major assault on a Chinese city. The British Government had no idea what was happening, though with Palmerston as Prime Minister they would no doubt have approved. War had not been declared and life was peaceful in all the other Treaty ports.

The month of November was occupied with further unsuccessful negotiations with Yeh; the capture of the Bogue forts at the entrance to the river; fighting between RN ships and junks who emerged from the various shallow creeks that branched off from the main river; and the defence of the British factory, the organisation of which was put in William's hands.

DEPLOYMENT OF NAVAL FORCES IN NOVEMBER 1856

On Nov 14th Sir Michael wrote to the Secretary of the Admiralty giving his first full account of what had happened during the last month and asking for further instructions. Referring to the protection of the factory he wrote about William 'The execution of this important duty I entrusted to Captain Hall, my Flag Captain, whose zeal and activity throughout the whole operation I cannot too highly recommend.' William may have done his duty, but as we will read later, he was not happy about what he was doing.