Battle of Escape Creek facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Escape Creek
Part of the Second Opium War
Commodore Elliot leading gunboats to attack the Mandarin junks
Date 25–27 May 1857 Location Escape Creek, Guangdong, China Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom	Qing China
Commanders and leaders
Charles Elliot	Admiral Sonhay
Strength
13 gunboats 7 cutters & gigs	41 war-junks
Casualties and losses
31 wounded	27 junks captured or destroyed

The Battle of Escape Creek was an important fight at sea. It happened between the British Royal Navy and the Chinese navy of the Qing dynasty. This battle took place from May 25 to 27, 1857. It was part of a bigger conflict called the Second Opium War.

During this battle, a British naval leader named Commodore Charles Elliot led his ships. They chased Chinese war-junks (a type of Chinese sailing ship) into a place called Escape Creek. Today, this area is known as the East River.

As the river became narrower, the larger British ships got stuck. So, the British sailors continued the chase in smaller boats. They kept going until they had caught or defeated all the Chinese war-junks.

What Was the Battle of Escape Creek?

The Battle of Escape Creek was a naval battle. This means it was fought on the water, using ships. It took place during the Second Opium War. This war was fought between the British Empire and the Qing dynasty of China.

The battle happened near a place called Escape Creek. This creek is in the Guangdong region of China. It is now part of the East River.

Who Fought in the Battle?

On one side was the Royal Navy from the United Kingdom. Their main leader was Commodore Charles Elliot. He was in charge of the British ships. The British had 13 gunboats and 7 smaller boats called cutters and gigs.

On the other side was the navy of Qing China. Their leader was Admiral Sonhay. The Chinese navy had 41 war-junks. These were traditional Chinese sailing ships built for fighting.

Why Did the Battle Happen?

The battle was part of the Second Opium War. This war started because of disagreements between Britain and China. Britain wanted to trade more with China. China wanted to control foreign trade more strictly.

The British were trying to stop Chinese naval forces. They wanted to gain control of important waterways. This battle was one step in that larger conflict.

How the Battle Unfolded

The battle lasted for three days. It started on May 25 and ended on May 27, 1857. The British ships, led by Commodore Elliot, began chasing the Chinese war-junks.

The chase led them into Escape Creek. This creek was narrow and shallow in places. The larger British gunboats found it hard to move. They eventually got stuck or grounded.

The Chase in Smaller Boats

Even though their main ships were stuck, the British did not give up. They quickly got into their smaller boats. These were the cutters and gigs. These boats were much lighter and could move easily in the narrow creek.

The British sailors continued to chase the Chinese war-junks. They rowed hard, getting closer to the junks. The fight continued as they caught up to the Chinese ships.

The Final Confrontation

The British sailors fought bravely from their small boats. They attacked the Chinese war-junks one by one. They used their weapons to overcome the Chinese crews.

The fighting was intense. The British managed to capture or destroy many of the Chinese junks. They kept going until all the war-junks had been dealt with.

What Was the Result?

The Battle of Escape Creek ended in a victory for the British. They successfully defeated the Chinese naval force in the creek.

The British had 31 sailors who were wounded during the battle. The Chinese lost 27 of their war-junks. These junks were either captured by the British or destroyed. This battle helped the British gain more control in the region during the war.

Gallery

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  Map of Canton area showing Escape Creek near the top

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  Map of the engagements

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  Attack on the junks

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  Burning of 27 captured junks