2-982-515 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Action between a large Chinese Row-Galley and a small Cutter of H.M.S. "Amethyst", Canton River, 19th July, 1858. British forces in China. 'A most gallant boat action took place...between a large snake or row galley, with a crew of seventeen men, armed with mounted jingalls, rockets, stinkpots, swords, and spears, and a small cutter...with a crew of eight seamen and one marine, commanded by Mr. R. C. Dyer, Master of that ship. When we consider that the Chinese war-galley was fitted out specially to cut off the guard-boats of the men-of-war, and that it was armed to the teeth, with a crew of picked men, nearly double the English in numbers, and sent out...to attack a boat not half her size, the result is wonderful, and proves how gallantly and skilfully Mr. Dyer and his crew must have fought...after a running fight of half an hour, the galley having thirteen men killed...the remaining four men pushed to the bank of the river and made their escape, leaving their galley, arms, ammunition, and dead in the hands of the English...to the great astonishment and chagrin of hundreds of Chinese spectators who had come out to witness the fight and cheer their countrymen on. So skilfully did Mr. Dyer fight and manoeuvre his boat that not one of his crew was wounded'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.