'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎261] (280/622)

HISTORY OP THE INDIAN NAVY.
231
JffS
e ■ I«ln
| k euonj J
conduct of all the officers and men engaged. When they landed
they saw the difficulty and apparent danger of the pass, and
they knew the superiority in numbers of the enemy; they had
no reason to contemplate so easy a victory; yet they formed
with the steadiness of old soldiers, and with the cheerful alacrity
which always distinguishes British seamen and marines. Lieu
tenant Hillyar, of the 6 Winchester,' commanded under me, and
again added to his well-known character as an able, zealous
officer. Lieutenant Lewis, first of the Hon. East India Com
pany's ship 4 Sesostris/ formed and led his marines and seamen
in a masterly manner, and I gladly recommend him to your
Excellency's notice. Mr. Brazier, senior mate of the 'Medusa,'
landed with his men, and attracted my attention by his zeal.
To Lieutenant Eraser, commanding the 'Medusa,' much is due
for the able way he handled his vessel in the strong tides and
eddies when he had to anchor, and the most effective aid he
rendered by his fire^ He is a most zealous officer, and has
and is rendering daily most valuable service to the naval and
military force at Prome. I cannot refrain mentioning that one
quarter of an hour did not elapse from the time the 'Medusa'
anchored, before my people were formed on the beach, and
the boats safely moored, under charge of men to fight their
guns." The capture of these five guns again opened the river
to Prome.
On the 9th of November, Captain Loch, having heard that the
Burmese had re-occupied the heights at Akoukton, proceeded
thither in the 'Medusa,' when he captured two guns and re-
embarked without loss. Commodore Lambert arrived at Prome
on the same day, and, on the 12th, directed Captain Loch to
attack some works, constructed by the Burmese opposite Upper
Prorae, with a force of steamers and boats. # Captain Loch,
having disembarked above the stockades, which opened a w T ell-
directed tire on the steamers, advanced, with forty-two seamen
and fifty men of H.M.'s 80th Regiment, along a narrow pathway
leading to the rear of the upper stockade, which was carried at
the double. The detachment moved rapidly on to the lower
stockade, where they captured five guns, the enemy having
succeeded in removing the remainder. These works were of
admirable construction, and are described as " casemated stock-
* Hon. Company's steamer 4 Mahanuddy,' Mr. H. Simpson, towing ' Winches
ter's ' gig, six men ; barge, fifteen men, Lieutenant Hilljar, Mr. Round, mate,
and Mr. Slade, assistant-surgeon ; launch, twenty-one men, Lieutenant Nelson,
Mr. Hinde, mate, and the Hon. H. D. Lascelles, midshipman An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. . Hon. Company's
steam-frigate ' Sesostris,' Commander Campbell. Hon. Company's steamer
{ Medusa,' Lieutenant Eraser commanding, towing ' Winchester's' pinnace,
eight men, Lieutenant Pearse, and Mr. Bond, mate ; cutter, nine men, Mr.
Attingham, midshipman An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. , Mr. Gregory, naval cadet. 4 Sesostris's' landing party.
Lieutenant Lewis, Mr. Duval, mate, forty-two men ; ' Medusa's' landing party,
Lieutenant Fraser, Mr. Douglas, mate, twenty-five men : Terooz,' Mr. Hurlock,
midshipman An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. , eight men.