10/18(Sun) The Opium Wars

#TheOpiumWar

Opium Wars and HMS Warships (1839–1860)

The Opium Wars were two conflicts between Qing China and Western powers, primarily Britain, in which the Royal Navy’s HMS warships played a decisive role.

HMS stands for His Majesty’s Ship, the prefix used for commissioned British Royal Navy ships during the reign of a king.

Key HMS ships in the Opium Wars

Ship Historical significance

HMS Nemesis (technically not HMS)

Iron-hulled, steam-powered vessel famous for its role in the First Opium War

HMS Volage Participated in the 1839 Battle of Kowloon and other early clashes

HMS Hyacinth Fought alongside Volage in the opening confrontations

HMS Cornwallis British flagship associated with the 1842 Treaty of Nanking

HMS Wellesley 74-gun ship of the line that participated in British operations

HMS Calcutta British warship involved in the Second Opium War

The most famous vessel: Nemesis

The Nemesis was particularly important because it could navigate shallow rivers, move without relying on wind, and attack Chinese coastal defenses.

It belonged to the East India Company, so its proper designation was HEIC Nemesis, not HMS Nemesis.

The First Opium War ended in 1842 with the Treaty of Nanking, signed aboard HMS Cornwallis. China ceded Hong Kong Island to Britain and opened five treaty ports.

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#HMS_Cornwallis

Are you interested in a particular HMS ship, the British naval battles against China, or how British warships defeated the Qing navy?

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