304 DEFENCES OP CANTON. [1845. 



senior Officer during the absence of Sir Thomas Cochrane 

 at Singapore, Trincomalee, &c., &c. 



Nothing important transpired during our refit. On the 

 28th I made an excursion up the river to Canton in a 

 chopboat, attended by my gig, in order to examine nar- 

 rowly the state of the defences and difficulties to be 

 encountered, should it be found necessary to carry vessels 

 of war up to Canton. The result of this examination 

 showed me, that although the Chinese had used great 

 efforts to raise obstructions to the navigation, that nature, 

 assisted by a little naval energy, which can generally be 

 found when required, would not render our advance im- 

 possible; and as to the fortifications, I could plainly 

 perceive that we had not taught the Chinese any of that 

 art, as positions could generally be taken up where their 

 batteries would be powerless, and this nowhere more 

 conspicuous than upon our old friends the Wangtong 

 Islands. Returning by " Blenheim Channel," I found that 

 they had been more successful in blocking the river on 

 that line, and that our native vessel was for some time 

 delayed by the rocks which had been placed there. 

 Nevertheless I am confident that these could easily be 

 removed, and leave even a deeper channel than we had 

 before, if required. But should our forces again be 

 called into requisition on any of these waters, I trust the 

 boats of the squadron will be found fully equal to any 

 service of this nature which may required. Indeed, I 

 cannot see of what use anything beyond our smallest 

 steamers were in this river, beyond housing the crews of 

 the acting force. 



On the 9th of May, we quitted Hong-Kong, in company 

 with H.M.S. ' Castor ', parting company off the Lema 



