Battle of Chuenpi
Watercolor of HMS Volage and HMS Hyacinth confront Chinese war junks at Chuenpee, 3 November 1839.
!["The Volage and Hyacinth at Chuenpee, 4 November 1839 - (C. Graham) from the Chater Collection."[1]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Battles_of_Chuanbi.jpg)
"The Volage and Hyacinth at Chuenpee, 4 November 1839 - (C. Graham) from the Chater Collection."[1]
A unique first-hand depiction of a sea battle between the British and Chinese near Hong Kong, during the First Opium War, 1839.
The Volage and Hyacinth at Chuenpee, 4 November 1839.
Historical Overview
The First Battle of Chuenpi was a relatively minor naval engagement fought between British and Chinese ships at the entrance of the Humen strait (Bogue), Guangdong province, China, on 3 November 1839 near the beginning of the First Opium War. The battle began when the British frigates HMS Hyacinth and HMS Volage opened fire on Chinese ships they perceived as being hostile.
Quick Facts
Kingdom of Great Britain
- Commander: Captain Smith
- Strength: 2 Schiffe
- Casualties: 0
Qing Dynasty
- Commander: Guan Tianpei
- Strength: 29 Dschunken
- Casualties: ca. 15 Dschunken
Strategic Context
British response to the destruction of opium stocks in Canton.
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Historical Locations
Exact location not recorded in historical records