'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎45] (64/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
45
The Courli of Directors, anticipating important results from
the navigation of the rivers of Mesopotamia, in 1839 despatched
round the Cape three new iron vessels, manufactured by Messrs.
Laird and McGregor, which were shipped in pieces in England
on board the 'Urania' and, under the directions of Commander
Lynch, were put together at Bussorah; and thus, by the spring
of the year 1840, four steamers bearing British colours were
floating on the classic waters of Mesopotamia. These were the
Assyria,' Lieutenant C. D. Campbell, who volunteered for the
duty and joined on the 6th of May, 1840; the 'Nitocris,'
Lieutenant Felix Jones, who also joined from the Gulf
Squadron; the 'Nimrod,' Lieutenant H. W. Grounds ; and the
6 Euphrates,' Lieutenant Michael W. Lynch, also of the Service.
On the 10th of July, Lieutenant H. B. Lynch proceeded to
England on sick leave, when he was succeeded in the command
by Lieutenant Campbell, an officer possessing scientific attain
ments of a high order, who had already earned distinction as a
surveyor. Great sickness now prevailed among the crews,
and several men and two engineers died. From July to
October the steamers were employed running mails between
Bussorah and Bagdad. On the 11th of January, 1841, Lieu
tenant Campbell started with a party from Bagdad overland to
Anna, to explore the Euphrates at its lowest state. From
Anna the party descended the river in boats to Hillah, whence
they returned to Bagdad by land, arriving there on the 3rd of
February. During Lieutenant Campbell's absence. Lieutenant
(the late Captain) W. S. Selby had joined the flotilla and
taken the command of the 4 Assyria,' Lieutenant M. Lynch's
health having broken down, owing to the effects of hard work
while assisting his brother in his survey of the upper waters of
the Tigris. Lieutenant Lynch died at Diabekr on his way to
England, one of several officers of the Service who have
perished in the cause of science and civilisation. Leaving the
'Euphrates' laid up at Bagdad, Lieutenant Campbell proceeded
to Bussorah, surveying the Tigris to its junction with the
Euphrates at Koorna, and also exploring the Hie and the Hud.
On the 1st of April, 1841, he commenced the ascent of the
Euphrates to Beles with the steamers 'Nitocris' and 'Nimrod/
an undertaking that had never before been attempted, though
Commander Hawkins had succeeded in reaching as high as Hit.
After surmounting difficulties of no ordinary nature, which con
stantly taxed his ingenuity and seamanlike skill. Lieutenant
Campbell, assisted by Lieutenant Felix Jones, an officer
highly distinguished both as a diplomatist and a sur
veyor, and Lieutenant H. W. Grounds, succeeded in reaching
Anna on the 7th of May, and Beles on the 31st of May, 1841.
The " Morning Chronicle," of the 10th of August of that year,
announces that event as 64 the completion of an enterprise of