2-979-613 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Attempt to Capture the Passenger-steamer "Fei Ma" ("Flying Horse") by 53 Imperial Junks, in Canton River, 1857. '...she was attacked by fifty-three large Imperial junks: each of these junks carried two if not four heavy guns, and was propelled by at least forty oars with three or four men at each oar. The steamer, owing to the Malay leaving the wheel, lost her way and was very nearly surrounded. The Chinese, knowing we could offer no resistance, came on most manfully. Their shot flew round us like hail: nine or ten penetrated the side; one went within an inch or two of the boilers, others right through the boat; and it was only after a good twenty minutes' ordeal that the little steamer distanced her cowardly pursuers. Here was a fine exhibition of Chinese valour - more than 8000 men in frantic hue and cry after a poor little steamer, carrying some eight or nine passengers...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857.