[VOL II] FORT VICTORIA, KOW-LOON

FORT VICTORIA, KOW-LOON

Cover Image: Fort Victoria, Kow-loon HongKong / Kowloon HongKong China / Drawn by T. Allom Engraved by M.J.Starling – ALAMY Image ID:2X2927Y

*Fort Victoria, also known as Kowloon West Battery, was said to be constructed under the supervision of Lin Zexu. The fort was located on the western slope of a small hill on the west side of Tsim Sha Tsui Beach, with its eastern end at the hill’s summit and the western end extending directly into the sea. It had a significant footprint, and a low, curvilinear stone wall surrounded it. The seaward side of the wall had multiple gunports, and two gatehouses with guardhouses were built on the eastern and northern sides. Two years after its construction, China suffered defeat in the First Opium War. In 1842, British troops occupied the fort and named it “Fort Victoria.” For over a decade, the area around the fort was bustling with trade between residents of the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island. It wasn’t until 1854 that the British decided to withdraw their troops and demolished the fort before leaving. It’s said that some of the stone materials from the fort were transported back to Hong Kong Island for use in constructing new buildings in Central at the time.

“Now let a truce be ask’d, that we may burn
Our slaughter’d heroes, and their bones in-urn;
That done, once more the fate of war be tried,
And whose the conquest, mighty Jove decide.”

POPE.

OUR new possession, Hong-Kong, is separated from the mainland by a strait not more than half a mile in width in some places, but in others extending to five. The Peninsula of Kow-loon forms the opposite shore; and on its extreme point, and directly commanding the entrance to the English town, which has grown up there with almost miraculous rapidity, stood two Chinese forts. As the bay of Hong-Kong is one of the most admirable in the Eastern seas, it is an object of the utmost consequence that it shall be protected from the treachery of the Chinese. Its natural advantages consist in depth and capaciousness, as well as in the safe anchorage it affords to the largest vessels riding at a cable-length from the shore, during the typhoons by which the Chinese seas are agitated（*In all points, both of facility of ingress and egress, and in its perfectly land-locked situation, this harbour (Kow-loon) can hardly have a superior in the world.—Report of Lord Amherst’s Voyage.) The lofty mountain that rises in the back-ground of the accompanying view, and seems to impend over the waters of the strait, is called the Peak of Hong-Kong; and, although beautiful in the distance from its form and outline, it is sterile and hard granite, a most valuable acquisition to the settlers, as being a durable and accommodating material for building; and, as in all regions of similar structure, the granite is found in the highest position, here it attains an elevation of two thousand feet above the level of the sea.

The Chinese are not a seafaring people; they navigate large rivers, broad canals, and tranquil lakes, and they creep along the somewhat inhospitable coasts of their vast empire; but, from their indisposition either to visit foreign countries, or trade with distant nations, or from an actual natural timidity, they seldom cast their fortunes upon the broad waters of the ocean, like the British mariner. To such inexperienced seamen the strait of Hong-Kong, with its snug shelter and safe anchorage, was invaluable; and on the promontory of Kow-loon, immediately in front of which coasting junks cast anchor, a village and two batteries stood, before the Chinese war. The village is at some distance from the water, but the fortified position formed the extreme south-east point of the peninsula, or tongue of level land, that stretched towards the roadstead. The soil here is more fertile than that of the opposite shore, the climate not so damp, atmospheric changes being neither so frequent nor so sudden, and the spot itself is a much more eligible site for a military or commercial settlement than our ceded island.

On the arrival of our expedition in these waters, the fleet procured supplies at Kow-loon, where they found an active trade, but to a small extent, conducted by the natives. After the first compact into which we entered with these “treaty-breakers,” It was agreed that the peninsula of Kow-loon should be considered neutral ground, and that the two batteries which stood there should be dismantled, to remove all apprehension on our part. Idolatrous have been known to observe their engagements, and respect their character, but the species of worship which the Chinese embrace is so base and senseless, that genius and dishonesty are, in their tongue, synonymous terms—faith and falsehood valid only in proportion to the success of the observer. The tenure of their friendship must inevitably be precarious—the enjoyment of their alliance an unenviable possession. However, to their promises we trusted, and, leaving Kow-loon in their custody, believed ourselves secure from insult or aggression at Hong Kong. Scarcely had we indulged in a cessation from active war, when the imperial government expressed its total disregard for treaties, especially with Barbarians, and without hesitation resumed an aggressive attitude. This iniquitous measure decided the question of occupancy at Kow-loon; and, instead of the old battery, whose useless and time-worn artillery was quite in character with their dastardly artillery-men, a re-edification, but in the Chinese architectural manner, has taken place; and a stout fortress, manned by brave British military, has succeeded, known by the appropriate, and now ever-memorable name in China, of Fort Victoria.