The Qing launch a coordinated night attack…
May 1841 CE
Artillery batteries hidden in Canton and on the Pearl River (many of which the British believe they had disabled earlier) open fire, and Qing soldiers retake the British Factory.
A large formation of two hundred fire rafts connected by a chain is sent drifting towards the British ships at Canton, and fishing boats armed with matchlock guns begin to engage the Royal Navy.
The British warships are able to evade the attack, and stray rafts set Canton's waterfront on fire, illuminating the river and foiling the night attack.
Downriver at Whampoa the Chinese attack the British vessels at anchor there and attempt to prevent ships from reaching Canton.
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