'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎379] (398/622)

I
CHAPTER VIII.
1857—1858.
The ' Auckland' in China—The True Story of the Occupation of Perim by
Lieutenant Templer in the 4 Mahi '—The ' Lady Canning' at the Outbreak
at Jiddah—Appointment of Captain G. a. Wellesley, C.B., E.K, in succession
to Sir Henry Leeke—Conclusion of the Records of the Bombay Marine The navy of the East India Company. Battalion.
BEFORE commencing a narrative of the services rendered by
the Indian Navy during that great crisis of our rule in
India, the Sepoy Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. Mutiny, we will detail other events of import
ance in the history of the Service of a prior date.
In 1856, Rear-Admiral Sir Michael Seymour, commanding in
Chinese Waters, having made a requisition for the services of a
ship of the Indian Navy, the 'Auckland ? was selected for that
duty. On the 31st of July, Commander 11. A. Drought was
transferred from the 6 Ferooz'—in the command of which he
was succeeded by Commander J. Rennie—to the 4 Auckland,'
and, although he only received the notice that his ship was
required for active service on Saturday evening, he sailed on
the following Tuesday for Singapore. The following were the
officers of the 4 Auckland';—Lieutenants Davies and Hunter;
Acting-Lieutenants De Belin and Philbrick ; Purser Williams;
Assistant-Surgeon Barnett; Midshipmen An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. Lowis, Du Boulay,
Parker, Beddome, and Brownlow. Her crew were a fine body
of men, and for marines she was supplied with a detachment of
the Bombay European Artillery. Under the orders of Captain Sir
William Hoste, the Senior Naval Officer on the Straits Station,
the principal duty of the 4 Auckland ? consisted in keeping down
piracy, cruising about the coasts of Borneo, and affording pro
tection to the British Settlement of Labuan. Sarawak, the seat
of government of Rajah Sir James Brooke's little kingdom, was
visited during one of these cruises, and a salute from the
'Auckland's' 68-pounders thundered forth in honour of the
Rajah. Sir James was absent from his capital at the time,
and, having the key of the powder magazine in his pocket, the
salute could not be returned, a circumstance which gave rise to
considerable merriment on the return of the Rajah, who has-
teneh back to show his visitors the courtesy and hospitality for