2-888-198 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Destruction of Shap-'Ng-Tsai's Piratical Fleet, by the British, in the Gulf of Tonquin, 1850. '"It must be remembered that it is not the policy of any piratical force to become assailants against vessels of war; but it was a boast...of Shap-'ng-tsai, that he would not fear attacking any of our brigs of war on the station...and when we consider the fact of his squadron mounting upwards of 1300 guns, some of good calibre and many English carronades, it may be inferred, that, had the Celestials been as expert in gunnery as they are in many other arts, the present affair would not have had so bloodless a termination on our side. In this attack, as at Pinghoy on the 1st October, the pirates opened fire long before the guns of the Europeans were within range".' From "Illustrated London News", 1850.