Expedition to Canton

Expedition to Canton
British troops awaiting the arrival of Commissioner Keying at the British Factory in Canton
Date 2–3 April 1847 Location Pearl River, Guangdong, China Coordinates: 23°6′34.6″N 113°19′58″E / 23.109611°N 113.33278°E / 23.109611; 113.33278 Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom British East India Company	Qing China
Commanders and leaders
John Davis George D'Aguilar	Keying
Strength
966 troops 6 ships	Unknown
Casualties and losses
No casualties	No casualties 879 guns captured

 United Kingdom

The Expedition to Canton was a British punitive expedition that captured the forts along the Pearl River, Guangdong province, China, on 2–3 April 1847. Beginning at the Humen strait (Bogue), the British captured the forts leading up to the city of Canton (Guangzhou). The operation was in response to British subjects being attacked by the Chinese near Canton. Hong Kong Governor John Davis demanded redress from Chinese Commissioner Keying. Unsatisfied with his reply, Davis ordered Major-General George D'Aguilar, commander-in-chief of British forces in China, to seize the forts approaching Canton and to prepare for an attack on the city in order to force reparations on the spot. The forts were captured but Canton was spared after Keying agreed to punish the culprits and allow entry into the city.

On the afternoon of 1 April 1847, D'Aguilar received communication from Davis with orders to proceed to Canton with force. At midnight, the following forces were embarked:

British operations began with the capture of the Bogue forts. Listed are the number of ordnance captured at each site:

Further up the Canton River past Whampoa Island, the British encountered a staked barrier and captured the following locations:

In the final phase, the British captured the forts outside the city of Canton:

Map of the operations leading to Canton

HMS Vulture starting operations at the Bogue, 2 April

Capture of Anunghoy, 2 April

Attacking the batteries near the staked barrier above Whampoa Island

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