June 16, 1842 · East China Coast Theater
June 16, 1842
British naval forces silenced the Woosung (Wusong) shore batteries guarding the Huangpu River approach to Shanghai. The fortifications had been strengthened with guidance from a visiting British merchant who ironically helped China improve defenses his own nation would destroy. The Woosung guns fell silent within ninety minutes of sustained British naval fire.
Commanders