2-996-065 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The War in China - the forts at the mouth of the Pehtang River, 1860. British forces in the far east. 'The plan of operations decided upon was to land at the Pehtang River, which falls into the Gulf of the Pecheli to the north-west of the River Peiho, and to advance thence upon the Taku Forts. The whole coast within twenty miles north and south of the Peiho River had been carefully surveyed, and the Pehtang seemed the most favourable spot for landing...the river is navigable for vessels of considerable tonnage; and, having once secured its entrance, there would be a port of debarkation for all the materiel of the army. The mouth of the river is covered, and the approach to it made difficult by a bar, in which at low water there is not more than two or three feet...but at high water in spring tides the soundings are twelve to fourteen feet...In addition to this natural barrier there was an artificial one, in the shape of two mud forts, nearly opposite each other, on the north and south banks of the river...it was ascertained that the one on the north side mounted eleven guns, and that on the south thirteen; at least, there were embrasures for that number. No resistance, however, was offered'. From "Illustrated London News", 1860.