Lot 672
A BROOCH MOUNTED CHINA 1842 MEDAL TO HMS HYACINTH.
An 1842 China medal brooch mounted on the reverse, named to William Brushwood HMS Hyacinth. Whilst serving on Hyacinth he was a Boy 1st Class, later Discharged Dead in 1869, as a 2nd Master. Born in Elson, Alverstoke , Hampshire on January 17th 1821. He entered the service as a Boy posted to HMS Hyacinth (Crew Number 30) a Favourite Class Sloop. Armed with 16 x 32 Pounder Carronades with 2 x 9 Pounder Bow Chasers, having a crew of 125 Officers and Men. Launched in May 1829, serving first on the East India Station 1829-41 , then posted to the China Station . She took part in the 1st Opium War from 1839 until 1842, when peace was signed.
Ordered to enforce a blockade along with HMS Volage, they patrolled the area one mile south of Chuenpee Battery at Boca Tigris (Canton). On the 3rd November 1839 a British Ship Royal Saxon attempted to break the blockade, which was halted when HMS Volage fired a shot across her bows. A Fleet of Chinese Junks moved out towards the British Ship, in an attempt to protect it. The Chinese then formed a line of Junks facing Southwest and dropped their anchors. HMS Hyacinth & Volage stood off whilst their commanders appraised the situation, before deciding what action to take. By Noon the next day the Chinese Fleet remained at anchor.
H M S Hyacinth & Volage moved closer to the Junks, then after making the decision that the Junks were intimidating them opened fire with broadsides from their starboard batteries. Immediately a Chinese Junk was blown apart by a direct hit on their magazine and a fire-raft sunk.
The two vessels then turning to open fire from the port side batteries. Three more Junks were sunk and another exploded, with several others retreating from the action when damaged. HMS Hyacinth was hit on the mizzenmast by a Chinese 12 pounders cannonball, no other hits reported. Thus began the Opium War, with their accurate and destructive broadsides.
In August 1840 HMS Hyacinth in the company of three other of Her Majesty's Ships sailed into Macao's Casilha Harbour, firing on Chinese vessels that were anchored there. Within the hour landings were made that destroyed the Chinese gun batteries, situated to protect the Harbour.
On the 7th January 1841 an attacked was launched from Sampanchow on the Chuenee Battreies. During this landing HMS Hyacinth, Calliope, & Larne attacked the lower fort. After silencing the battery at 10:00hrs , the lower fort was stormed and captured by Royal Marines and sailors. Five of which from HMS Hyacinth's crew were wounded in action.
On the 15th March 1841 HMS Hyacinth took part in the Action at Tze-Kee. One man from Hyacinths crew a Royal Marine, was severley wounded.
On the 18th March 1841 HMS Hyacinth took part in the Attack on Canton. All Chinese Junks there were sunk or dispersed, with all objectives being taken.
An official mention of HMS Hyacinths part in the war states; 'Her Majesty's Ship HMS Hyacinth (To whom too much praise cannot be given for the exertion displayed by Commander Warren, his officers and crew, in getting her through the intricate and difficult passes of the river, piloted by Commander Belder, to be in readiness for the operation) Her casualties amounted to just two men being wounded.
On the 14th April an attack by Chinese Fireships was foiled, by towing the Fireships out of the area.
On the 25th May 1841 HMS Hyacinth provided a party to take part in the Storming of Canton Forts, which ended in their capture. Her crew landed and spiked some 30 or so Chinese Guns.
After another attempt by Chinese Fireships on the 10th March 1842 failed, with peace being signed at Nanking.
Whilst serving as 2nd Master on HMS Tribune in 1860 (Chief Yeoman of Signals) William Brushwood (Crew number 215) is logged as Discharged Dead.
In 1861 it was decided to offer a China 1842 to the original recipients of the medal. HMS Tribune's crew would appear to be entitled to the bar Fatshan 1857, for the second China W
