On August 18 while sailing in the Gulf of Leotung, the Pavushan and the Bittern came within sight of thirty-seven to forty junks, including two lorchas.
They were positioned near the mouth of the river which led to Fuchan.
Later Commander Vansittart reported that because of the heavy rain and thick mist he could not get an accurate count of the pirate ships he spotted.
Bittern and Pavushan advanced until just over two miles away from the pirate fleet and anchored for the night.
The following morning the pirates initiated the battle after they formed two divisions and began an advance towards the British ships.
When within range the pirates opened up with their cannon and the British returned fire.
The pirates' armament mostly included long 18-pounders which gave them a further range so for about ten minutes the two sides dueled but only the Chinese were capable making any hits.
Bittern was the main target for Chinese fire and was struck a few times before achieving her first hit.
Most of the pirates' fire reportedly passed over and through the sails and rigging of the Royal Navy vessels and when the pirates came within range of the Bittern her broadsides became more accurate and she raked several vessels and apparently damaged them severely.
Due to this the pirates were forced to regroup and retreat.
Attempting to trick the British into running aground; the pirates fled through a mess of reef and sandbars.
The trick failed and the Bittern was able to maneuver through the treacherous waters and keep up her heavy fire.
Both of the lorchas, the vessels said to have fired the most accurate shots, were sunk along with six other junks.
The remaining thirty or so vessels escaped and towed at least five damaged junks away.
An estimated 300 pirates became casualties and none were captured, some of the pirates were thought to be European.
Bittern and Pavushan did not receive too much damage and none of the British service men were harmed in an action that lasted around an hour.
On August 18 while sailing in the Gulf of Leotung, the Pavushan and the Bittern came within sight of thirty-seven to forty junks, including two lorchas. They were positioned near the mouth of the river which led to Fuchan. Later Commander Vansittart reported that because of the heavy rain and thick mist he could not get an accurate count of the pirate ships he spotted. Bittern and Pavushan advanced until just over two miles away from the pirate fleet and anchored for the night. The following morning the pirates initiated the battle after they formed two divisions and began an advance towards the British ships. When within range the pirates opened up with their cannon and the British returned fire. The pirates' armament mostly included long 18-pounders which gave them a further range so for about ten minutes the two sides dueled but only the Chinese were capable making any hits. Bittern was the main target for Chinese fire and was struck a few times before achieving her first hit. Most of the pirates' fire reportedly passed over and through the sails and rigging of the Royal Navy vessels and when the pirates came within range of the Bittern her broadsides became more accurate and she raked several vessels and apparently damaged them severely. Due to this the pirates were forced to regroup and retreat. Attempting to trick the British into running aground; the pirates fled through a mess of reef and sandbars. The trick failed and the Bittern was able to maneuver through the treacherous waters and keep up her heavy fire. Both of the lorchas, the vessels said to have fired the most accurate shots, were sunk along with six other junks. The remaining thirty or so vessels escaped and towed at least five damaged junks away. An estimated 300 pirates became casualties and none were captured, some of the pirates were thought to be European. Bittern and Pavushan did not receive too much damage and none of the British service men were harmed in an action that lasted around an hour.
Battle of the Leotung