Anson's Bay is just outside of the Bogue, and from our anchorage had a fine view of the Forts, some eight or nine being in sight. Tiger Island was also conspicuous, and the formation of a tiger's head quite apparent.
From Anson's Bay took our departure for Hong-Kong, where moored ship on the 19th October.
On the 20th, at about 5 P. M., the Peninsular and Oriental Company's hulk "Fort William," used for storing coal and opium, took fire and burned until 10 o'clock that night, when the fire was got under. Our crew assisted, with buckets from the ship, nearly all of which they managed to lose. The Captain's wife, who lived on board the hulk, had a narrow escape, having to be lowered out of the stern ports.
From Hong-Kong over to Macào, where obtained permission to go into Toong-Koo Bay for the purpose of calking, preparatory to our long voyage home, upon which we now hoped to be ordered daily; the rolling in the Roads preventing the possibility of effecting it at Macào.
Toong-Koo Bay is in the Cap-sing-moon passage, and about thirty miles from Hong-Kong. The British fleet rendezvoused here during the war with China.
Were anchored near Sam-sah Island, where tents were pitched and the sick placed in them. Every morning one watch was permitted to go on shore to wash their clothes, &c., until relieved by the other watch, so that there was always a little colony on the island. It was otherwise uninhabited.
Strolling over the island, came upon the ruins of a house and some human bones, and ascending a hill had a splendid view of the bay and surrounding islands. These appeared innumerable, like icebergs in the Antarctic circle, cutting up the bay into intricate channels, and as barren, if not as cold, as those ice islands. Pirates are plentiful in this neighborhood, and one morning, at daylight, Afouke, our fast boatman, brought on board two Chinamen, whom he had picked up swimming. They were badly wounded, and stated that about three o'clock that morning, as they were fishing, they were boarded by pirates, who threw fire-balls amongst them, burning them badly, and forcing them to leap into the water to save their fives, and then took possession of their boats. These waters are infested with pirates, who ostensibly pursue the avocation of fishermen, until an opportunity opens to catch men. The English navy did a great deal towards extirpating them, until their government took away the "head money," and now but few expeditions are fitted out; although doubtless the junior officers are as anxious for the service as ever.
The calking completed, reported ourselves at Macào; but no Commodore appearing, and our coppers being worn out, went over to Hong-Kong to get them repaired. Here we got a mail and news from home which was cheering, and increased our desire to start.
Went through a round of dinners at Hong-Kong, exchanging civilities with officers and citizens, but began to get tired of this kind of thing; like the schoolboy, wanted to go home!
At this time the government of Macào changed again, Cardozo being recalled, and Gruimaraens, commander of the corvette "Don Jooa," superseding him, his ex-Excellency departed for Lisbon in the return mail steamer, not much regretted, I understood.