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Battle of Amoy
Part of the First Opium War
18th Royal Irish at Amoy.jpg
The 18th Royal Irish Regiment storming the fortifications at Xiamen
Date 26 August 1841
Location
Amoy (present-day Xiamen), Fujian, China
Result British victory
Belligerents

 United Kingdom

 Qing dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Hugh Gough
William Parker		 Unknown
Strength
15 ships
2,500 troops		 26 junks
5,600–10,000 troops
Casualties and losses
2 killed
15 wounded		 60+ killed
500 guns captured
26 junks captured

The Battle of Amoy was an important fight during the First Opium War. It happened on August 26, 1841, in a place called Amoy (which is now Xiamen) in China. British forces fought against the Qing Empire, which ruled China at the time. The British won the battle, taking control of the forts in Xiamen and on a nearby island called Gulangyu Island.

How the Battle Happened

Before the battle, the Qing forces had prepared their defenses. They built strong walls and gun platforms along the shores of Xiamen. They also set up batteries (places with many cannons) on Gulangyu Island.

The British started the fight by firing their cannons at the island's defenses. This lasted for a few hours, but it didn't do much damage. After this, British soldiers left their ships and landed on the island. They quickly took over the cannon batteries with very little resistance.

It was a very hot day, which made the soldiers tired. The Qing forces decided to retreat, meaning they pulled back their troops. The city of Xiamen then fell to the British the very next day.

After the battle, the British left a group of 550 soldiers to guard Xiamen. Most of these soldiers were from the 18th Royal Irish Regiment. Three British ships, the Druid, Pylades, and the Algerine, stayed near Gulangyu Island to help protect the area.

A British officer named John Elliot Bingham wrote down what happened during the battle. His account gives us a detailed look at the fight from the British side.

Images for kids

  • Storming of Amoy

    Storming of Xiamen by the British fleet

  • Taking of Amoy

    Taking of Xiamen

  • This View of the Capture of Amoy on the Coast of China

    Capture of Xiamen, plate 1

  • View of the Capture of Amoy, Plate 2

    Plate 2

  • View of the Capture of Amoy, Plate 3

    Plate 3

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