Amphibious Assault and Capture of Chuenpi and Taikoktow

Unit/ Formation: Royal Marines

Location: China

Period/ Conflict: Opium Wars

Year: 1841

Date/s: 7 January 1841

Chuenpi was one of the Bogue forts (along with Tycocktow) that guarded the mouth of the Pearl River. During the 1st China War (1840-1842) a combined Royal Navy and Army force captured the forts on 7 January 1841.

The storming of the forts and intrenchments of Chuenpee on 7 January 1841.Color lithograph by Dickinson after Lieut. Frederick J. White, Royal Marines, printed by M. & N. Hanhart; military, marine and naval forces attacking fortified hilltop positions.

The Second Battle of Chuenpi[a] was fought between British and Chinese forces in the Pearl River Delta, Guangdong province, China, on 7 January 1841 during the First Opium War. The British launched an amphibious attack at the Humen strait (Bogue), capturing the forts on the islands of Chuenpi and Taikoktow.

Destroying Chinese war junks, by E. Duncan (1843).The East India Company iron steam ship Nemesis, commanded by Lieutenant W. H. Hall, with boats from the Sulphur, Calliope, Larne and Starling, destroying the Chinese war junks in Anson's Bay, on 7 January 1841. An engagement in the First Opium War (1839-42), showing the ‘Nemesis’ (right background, in starboard broadside view) attacking a fleet of Chinese war junks in the middle ground. The war junk third from the left is shown being destroyed with splinters flying up into the air. Two rowing boats with Chinese passengers watch from the left foreground. Various men can be seen overboard and clinging on to debris throughout the scene.

Subsequent negotiations between British Plenipotentiary Charles Elliot and Chinese Imperial Commissioner Qishan resulted in the Convention of Chuenpi on 20 January.

As one of the terms of the agreement, Elliot announced the cession of Hong Kong Island to the British Empire, after which the British took formal possession of the island on 26 January.

Related Royal Marines 'Dits':

1. Amphibious Assault and Capture of Chuenpi and Taikoktow (17 Jan 1841)

2. The First Battle of Canton (18 March 1841)

3. The Second Battle of Canton (24 May 1841)

4. Scaling the Walls at Chin-Kiang-Fu (21 July 1842)

5. Taking of the Canton Forts (28 Oct 1857)

References/ Further Reading:

1. History of the Royal Marines 1837-1914 HE Blumberg

2. Wikipedia - Second Battle of Chuenpi