Capture of Chusan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First Capture of Chusan |
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| Part of the First Opium War | |||||||
 British and Chinese officials on board HMS Wellesley on 4 July 1840. Karl Gützlaff (centre) served as interpreter. |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Qing China |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Gordon Bremer George Burrell |
Zhang Chaofa (DOW) | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 1 ship of the line 3 corvettes 2 sloops 2 steamships 10 gun-brigs/transport ships 10 guns 2 mortars (on land) |
21 junks 1,540 20 guns (on land) |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1 wounded | 13 killed 13 wounded 91 guns captured |
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The First Capture of Chusan happened on July 5–6, 1840. It was a battle during the First Opium War in China. British forces captured Chusan (also known as Zhoushan). This island is the largest in a group of islands with the same name.
Why the Battle Happened
Chusan's History and Trade
The Kangxi Emperor set up a government in the Chusan islands long ago. This was after some wars in the area. The main city, Dinghai, was on Chusan Island. It had a military base with about 2,600 soldiers.
In 1684, the emperor allowed foreign trade again. The city of Ningbo became a trading port. Later, in 1698, a special house was built in Dinghai for British traders.
However, in 1757, the Qianlong Emperor stopped British trade in Ningbo. Dinghai was also closed to foreign ships. Even so, the British remembered Chusan. They still thought it could be a good place for trade.
British Demands for Surrender
On July 4, 1840, several British warships arrived near Chusan. These included the Wellesley and the Conway.
That afternoon, British officers met with a Chinese admiral. He was also the governor of the Chusan islands. The British delivered a message. It was from Commodore Gordon Bremer and Brigadier George Burrell.
They demanded that the island of Chusan surrender. The British leaders said this was needed because of "insulting actions" by Chinese officials in Canton the year before.
Chinese Response to the Demand
After their meeting, Chinese Admiral Zhang Chaofa went aboard the British ship Wellesley. The Chinese officials did not think they should be blamed for what happened in Canton.
They told the British, "You should fight those people, not us. We have never harmed you." They also said, "We see your strength. We know fighting back would be crazy. But we must do our duty, even if we die."
The British told them that fighting would start if they did not surrender by sunrise the next day. The Chinese left at 8:00 pm. Their last words were, "If you do not hear from us before sunrise, the consequences are on our own heads."
Commodore Bremer later wrote that he could hear "gongs and other warlike sounds" all night. This showed the Chinese were preparing for battle.
The Battle for Chusan
Chinese Defenses and British Attack
On the morning of July 5, many Chinese troops were on the hills and shore. British sailors could see the city walls of Dinghai. They were about 1 mile (1.6 km) from the beach and also had soldiers.
Around 2:00 pm, two British ships, the Cruiser and Algerine, moved into position. The signal was given for the British troops to land.
The British forces included soldiers from different regiments. They also had cannons. The British fleet had several warships and transport ships.
Chinese records say that 1,540 Chinese troops were at Dinghai. About 940 were on 21 war junks with 170 cannons. The other 600 were on shore with 20 cannons.
At 2:30 pm, the British ship Wellesley fired at a Chinese fort. The Chinese immediately fired back from the shore and their junks. The British fired their cannons for about 7–8 minutes. Then, the Chinese troops ran away to the city walls.
British Landing and City Capture
The British troops landed on the beach without any fighting. Lord Jocelyn, a British officer, said the beach was empty. There were "a few dead bodies, bows and arrows, broken spears and guns."
By 4:00 pm, British troops had placed two cannons close to the city walls. More cannons and mortars were added later. Brigadier Burrell decided to wait until the next day to continue.
The next morning, a small group of British soldiers checked the city. Thousands of people had been there the night before, but now the city was mostly empty. The main gate was blocked with large sacks of grain.
A group of British soldiers took control of the main city gate. They then raised the British flag.
Battle Results
The British had only one soldier wounded in the battle. They captured 91 Chinese cannons. They thought about 25 Chinese soldiers had been killed.
However, Chinese records state that 13 Chinese soldiers were killed and 13 were wounded. Admiral Zhang Chaofa, the Chinese commander, died later from his wounds. Lord Jocelyn wrote that Zhang was taken to Ningbo. He was honored for his brave defense, but died a few days later.
After the Battle
British Control of Chusan
On July 8, Rear-Admiral George Elliot made an announcement. He was a British leader. He said that Chinese people on the island would still live under Chinese laws. However, torture would not be allowed.
He also said that the Chinese government's daily operations would be managed by the British officer in charge of the land forces. Brigadier Burrell became the governor of Chusan. Karl Gützlaff became the chief judge. Lord Jocelyn became a military secretary.
Sickness Among British Troops
Many British soldiers became very sick after the battle. Their living conditions were not good. They were in tents on low, wet fields with standing water. These damp, mosquito-filled places helped spread diseases.
It was also very hot, and the soldiers wore heavy uniforms. This made them tired. Poor food and low spirits also made them unwell.
By October 22, only 2,036 out of 3,650 soldiers were healthy enough to work. The rest were sick or had died. From July 13 to December 31, there were 5,329 hospital visits. A total of 448 soldiers died. Most of the sickness was from fevers and stomach problems.
A doctor named William Lockhart opened a hospital in Chusan. It helped the sick soldiers from September 1840 to February 1841.
Leaving Chusan for Hong Kong
On January 23, 1841, Captain Elliot sent a ship to Chusan. The ship had orders to move the troops from Chusan to Hong Kong Island.
Captain Elliot had made a temporary agreement with a Chinese official named Qishan. This agreement gave Hong Kong to the United Kingdom.
Images for kids
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Capture of Dinghai, the capital of the Chusan islands
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British ships attacking the island as the troops prepare to land
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The painting First taking of Chusan
