Image: Destruction of Lagos, on the west coast of Africa, by the British squadron ILN 1852-0313-0016

Description: Destruction of Lagos. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 13 March 1852. Volume: 20 , Issue: 549, page 16 Read the ILN THE DESTRUCTION OF LAGOS. WE have already detailed the British attack upon Lagos (ILN 21 February 1852, Volume: 20 , Issue: 546), the nest of the slave-trade in the Bights, and, as far as we know, on the west coast of Africa. We now engrave the scene of action, with an extract from a private letter from a Correspondent on board her Majesty's ship Penelope, describing the second day's attack (27 December 1851). The little Teaser got on shore the second time before she could take un the proper position ; in an hour and a half from our starting we were snugly fast head and stern close to our little friend the Bloodhound, and then we began in right good earnest. The firing could not have been better directed on board the Excellent, in Portsmouth Harbour, and must have told fearfully on the devoted town. Captain Coate about this time came up in the Volcano with his boats, and entered con amore into the work of the day. At twelve one of our rockets set fire to the Marine Monarch's house, one of the largest in the place; and as we did not strike fire up for him with our shot and shell, it was Io fault of mine. The roofs of the houses were all of reed and straw. A pleasant little sea breeze springing up at the time, and the rocket boat having made two or three lucky hits in other quarters, the whole town was coon in a blaze, and a famous bonfire it made, varied occasionally by the blowing up of their numerous powder-magazines. One of the Lampoon's paddleboats was on the point of starting for the ship with 23 of the worst cases of our numerous wounded when the flames burst forth, and our reiterated cheers had the most renovating effect upon their spirits. The Waterwitch's boats also came up about this time, and did service; the result, however, would have been the same. The town burnt famously all night. On the following morning (Sunday) we did not fire a shot, and were surprised in the morning to see several detached houses set on fire. In the afternoon we received certain information that the King and everybody in the place had decamped, leaving us in quiet possession of the walls of the capital. Our African allies from Abiacuta and Badagry, amounting to about 700 men, and who had been very useful in protecting the left bank of tile river, then crossed over, and took quiet possession of as much plunder as they could collect. Lagos is the finest African town I have ever seen. The houses are regularly and well built, and particularly clean in the inside. The poor inhabitants made haste to quit in tile greatest possible confusion. It is difficult to form an estimate of the force opposed to us; they could not have amounted to less than 8000, and an equal number armed with other weapons. One of the chiefs told me he knew of 500 killed by our fires besides a great number wounded. I landed on the Monday to have a look at the fortifications, which were wonderfully strong, and 500 resolute men could have defended them against any force.
Title: Destruction of Lagos, on the west coast of Africa, by the British squadron
Credit: The Illustrated London News
Author: ILN staff after a correspondent
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No