3-046-964 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Destruction of a pirates' stronghold at Sulu by H.M.S. Nassau, 1872. Conflict '...in the Sulu Archipelago, between Borneo and the Philippine Islands...The Nassau...was engaged...in the survey of Dalrymple harbour when her boat's crew ashore was suddenly attacked by a large and well-armed party of natives. They rushed fiercely upon our men from an ambush, firing several muskets and flinging long spears at them...some large prahus belonging to the natives were detained by the Nassau...[and] were found to be armed with long brass guns, and...other weapons and implements of piratical warfare...it became evident that the place was inhabited by lawless marauders. An attack was therefore determined upon, and Lieutenant Noble and Lieutenant the Hon. Foley Vereker were sent in to reconnoitre...The fire was...kept up on both sides about an hour, till the pirates retired, having lost several men killed or wounded...The enemy were at length dislodged by the rockets, and forced to retreat with severe loss...the boats dashed ashore with a landing party...They burnt the village...Flags of truce were at last hoisted on shore...the Sultan...thanked them for having rid the place of a nest of pirates, who had been the scourge of sea and shore for years past'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.