Capture of the French Folly Fort facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Capture of French Folly Fort
Part of the Second Opium War
Start of the action, showing the steamers Barracouta and Coromandel
Date 6 November 1856 Location Pearl River, Guangdong, China Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom	Qing China
Commanders and leaders
Michael Seymour	Ye Mingchen
Strength
2 steamers 14 small boats1	23 junks
Casualties and losses
1 killed 4 wounded	unknown 1 fort captured
1 Comprising 2 launchers, 2 barges, 3 pinnaces, 6 cutters, and 1 gig

The Capture of the French Folly Fort was a battle that happened on November 6, 1856. British forces fought against Chinese forces in China. This event was part of a bigger conflict called the Second Opium War. The British took control of a fort called French Folly Fort. This fort was located on the Pearl River near the city of Guangzhou.

During the battle, the British also scattered 23 Chinese war junks. A junk is a type of ancient Chinese sailing ship. The fight lasted for almost an hour. A British official named Harry Parkes said that both sides fought very bravely.

What Was the Second Opium War?

The Second Opium War was a conflict between the British Empire and the French Empire against the Qing Dynasty of China. It lasted from 1856 to 1860. The war was mainly about trade and diplomatic rights. It followed the First Opium War, which ended in 1842.

The Battle for French Folly Fort

The battle took place on the Pearl River in Guangdong province. This river is a major waterway in southern China. The French Folly Fort was an important defense point on the river.

British Forces and Their Plan

The British forces were led by Michael Seymour. They used two steamships and 14 smaller boats. These smaller boats included launches, barges, pinnaces, cutters, and a gig. Their goal was to clear the river of Chinese ships and capture the fort.

Chinese Resistance

The Chinese forces were led by Ye Mingchen. They had 23 war junks ready to defend the area. The Chinese put up a strong fight against the British. Despite their bravery, the British were able to defeat the Chinese junks. They then moved on to capture the fort.

Outcome of the Battle

The battle ended with a British victory. They successfully captured the French Folly Fort. The British had very few casualties, with only one person killed and four wounded. The number of Chinese casualties is not known. This capture was an important step for the British in the early stages of the Second Opium War.

Images for kids

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  Map of the battle

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  End of the action, showing the explosion of the junks

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  Barracouta and a pinnace from the Calcutta engaging junks

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  A battle at French Folly Fort by a Chinese painter