In the book, Tham Junean examines the operations of the Royal Navy in the Straits of Malacca and its impact on piracy in the region. This is followed by an in depth look at the career of HMS Rinaldo and the men who served on board during the Incident. The entirety of the Selangor Incident is given in great detail, together with the impact it caused, both to the colonial and naval authorities, and its significance to the onset of colonialism in Malaya. The book ends with the fates of the Rinaldo and those who were involved in that pivotal Incident.
Combining naval and colonial history, HMS Rinaldo & The Selangor Incident: Gunboat Diplomacy in Malaya is an extensively researched and richly illustrated look at one of the flashpoints of colonialism in the 19th century Malaya.
The Selangor Incident was a pivotal moment in the history of Malaya, signifying the advance of British colonialism throughout the Malay Peninsula. In a classic example of gunboat diplomacy, the Royal Navy vessel HMS Rinaldo was sent to the state of Selangor in search of a missing junk captured by pirates. What began as an anti-piracy mission for a missing Chinese junk ended with the British colonial authorities in the Straits Settlements pursuing a course of political intervention in the hitherto independent Malay states in the peninsula.
Despite its notoriety, the Royal Navy’s part in the Incident has never been fully examined. Therefore, this book attempts to address the imbalance by exploring the Selangor Incident from the perspective of the Royal Navy. It is an examination of the role of the Royal Navy in the specific region of operation, the Straits of Malacca, as well as the men and ships involved during the incident.
‘The proas separated, one on the frigate’s larboard quarter, the other to starboard, and they approached cautiously, spilling their wind as they came. The tension mounted. The gun-teams crouched by their pieces, as motionless as cats. But no, it was not to be; the proas hesitated, decided that this was a real man-of-war, not a merchant disguised, hauled their wind and were gone; a universal sigh along the gundeck, and the handspikes were laid aside.’
-Patrick O’Brian, The Thirteen-Gun Salute
‘To them it must have been equally striking and extraordinary (as few of them had ever seen any larger vessel than their own warboats, or even a European, until Brooke’s arrival), to witness the Dido anchored almost in the centre of their town, her mastheads towering above the trees of their jungle; to hear the loud report of her 32-pounder guns, and watch the running aloft to furl sails of 150 seamen, in their white dresses, the band playing, all which helped to make an impression that will not easily be forgotten.’
-Admiral Sir Henry Keppel, A Sailor’s Life
‘How doth the crafty Fox beguile the Lion.’
-Old Play
Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
List of Maps
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: A Short History of the Royal Navy in the Straits of Malacca
Chapter 2: HMS Rinaldo, a Career (1854-1870)
Chapter 3: HMS Rinaldo in the Straits Settlements, 1971
Chapter 4: Prelude to the Selangor Incidents (14-30 June 1871)
Chapter 5: The Selangor Incident (1-5 July 1871)
Chapter 6: Reactions to the Selangor Incident
Chapter 7: The Passing Years
Appendix I: Technical Details, HMS Rinaldo
Appendix II: The Ship’s Plans of HMS Rinaldo
Appendix III: Commanding Officers of HMS Rinaldo
Appendix IV: Camelion-Class Sloops Service History
Appendix V: Senior Naval Officers Straits Division, 1853-1873
Appendix VI: Chronology of Events During the Selangor Incident, 1871
Appendix VII: Bombardment of Salangore
Appendix VIII: Obituary. Vice Admiral G. Northland, A Notable Career
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
DEDICATION
The publication of this book, drawing on new material, is a heartfelt gift to
H.R.H. Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Sultan of Selangor
On the occasion of His Royal Highness’ 80th birthday and as a tribute to H.R.H.’s keen interest in Selangor’s history
From
Y.M. Raja Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Arshad Bin Raja Tun Uda D.K.II, P.S.M., S.P.M.S., S.S.T.M., D.S.S.A.
Y.D.H. Dato’ Sri Maharaja Diraja Dato’ Dr. Aljafri bin Abdul Majid D.S.I.S.
Y.Bhg. Dato’ Henry Sackville Barlow D.S.I.S.
Y.Bhg. Dato’ Carl Bek-Nielsen D.P.M.P., D.P.M.S.
Y.D.H. Dato’ Lela Jasa Diraja Dato’ Richard Curtis D.S.I.S.
Y.D.H. Dato’ Setia Perkerti Diraja Dato’ George Stewart Labrooy D.S.I.S.
The Author
Born in Malaysia, Tham Junean is a graduate of University Tunku Abdul Rahman and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. His primary research interest is in the history of colonial Malaysia. This is his first book.
