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 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.

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

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.

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.