HMS Hong Kong (1857)
Hong Kong in the Battle of Fatshan Creek, depicted by John Corbett
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United Kingdom | |
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Name | Hong Kong |
Namesake | Hong Kong |
Launched | 1856[1] |
Fate | Sold c. 1858[1] |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Paddle steamer |
HMS Hong Kong was a paddle river tender launched in 1856. She was hired by the Royal Navy by 1857 and was active in Guangdong during the Second Opium War.
History[]
The steamer was launched in 1856.[1] By early 1857, it was acquired by the Royal Navy as a hired steamer. On February 10, the ship, led by , took part in a firing against Qing ships off Second Bar Island.[2] On April 6, the ship was involved in another skirmish in Sandy Bay, where several junks were sunk.[3]
On May 25, Hong Kong, with Commodore Charles Elliot on board, fought in the Battle of Escape Creek.[3] In the same month, command was transferred to Commodore Henry Keppel, who hoisted his broad pennant on the ship for future actions in the Canton River.[4] Under his pennant, Hong Kong participated in the Battle of Fatshan Creek on June 1,[5] from which Keppel commanded the British forces.[6] The ship came under heavy Chinese fire, and suffered heavy damage during the battle. She was grounded twice and was hulled twelve times.[3] She survived the battle, and was transferred out of Keppel's command on August 22, 1858.[4] She was sold around the same year.[1]
References[]
- ^ a b c d Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. p. 165. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
- ^ United Kingdom Parliamentary Papers, Session 1857 Sess. 2. Parliament of the United Kingdom. Vol. 43. London. 1857. p. 18. Retrieved 2021-02-21.
- ^ a b c Clowes, William Laird (1903). The Royal Navy: a history from the earliest times to the death of Queen Victoria. Vol. 7. Sampson Low, Marston and Company. pp. 93–136. Archived from the original on 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
- ^ a b "Biography of Henry Keppel R.N." The Victorian Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2021-02-21.
- ^ Kennedy, William (1900). "Chapter VIII - Battle of Fatshan Creek". Hurrah for the Life of a Sailor!: Fifty Years in the Royal Navy. Edinburgh and London: Blackwood. Archived from the original on 2020-09-21. Retrieved 2021-02-21.
- ^ "Broad pennant". Royal Museums Greenwich. National Maritime Museum. Archived from the original on 2018-10-09. Retrieved 2021-02-21.
- 1856 ships
- Ships of the Royal Navy