'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎500] (519/622)

500
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
tachment. " This landing," writes Sir George Jacob, " had
been done for the first time, I believe, in Indian history, as it
was previousl} 7 considered a thing impossible to land on that
coast during the height of the monsoon, Bombay and Goa
being, during that season, the only ports available. Checked
in this way, the greater number of the mutineers, under coin-
mand of a Sawunt Waree leader, betook themselves to the
Waree jungles, where the insurgents of 1844-45 had given such
trouble."
On the arrival of the 4 Berenice' at Rutnagheri, on the 8th
of August, the European inhabitants, apprehensive of an insur
rection, all crowded on board her, but the disembarkation, soon
after, of a Detachment of a hundred seamen and three officers
from the ships of the Indian Navy on the coast, restored confi
dence, and they returned to their homes. This Detachment
remained at Rutnagheri until the arrival of European troops
rendered their presence unnecessary.
Lieutenants Chitty and Sweny were among the few for
tunate recipients of a special letter of thanks from Her Majesty.
Under date the 11th of June, 1860, Sir Charles Wood wrote to
them individually :—" The excellent service performed by you
during the Mutiny and disturbances in India in 1857-58, in
conveying the different detachments of European troops down
the coast at the height of the monsoon, has been brought to the
notice of the Queen; and I have been commanded to convey
to you the gracious approbation of Her Majesty of your con
duct during that critical period."
When the Detachments of the Indian Naval Brigade in
Bengal proceeded up-country under Commander Batt and
Lieutenants Lewis, Carew, Davies, and Duval, more officers
were required for the ships under the orders of the Supreme
Government, and, in November, 1857, Commodore Wellesley
despatched Lieutenants Sweny and Templer round to Calcutta,
the former being relieved in the command of the 6 Victoria' by
Lieutenant Twynam, and Lieutenant Templer in the 4 Mahi/
by Lieutenant Nixon. On arrival at Calcutta the latter joined
the 4 Semiramis' as First-Lieutenant, and Lieutenant Sweny re
lieved Lieutenant Duval in command of No. 1 Detachment in
Fort William, when that officer proceeded to Gya in command
of No. 5 Detachment. With the able assistance of Lieutenant
Warden, Mr. Sweny carried on the duties of organizing and
drilling the Detachments in course of formation, until February,
1858, when he was detached for duty under the Bengal Go
vernment and appointed to the command of the surveying brig
6 Mutlah,'which he retained until he returned to England on
furlough, in April, 1861, after a continuous sea service in India,
mostly on the survey, since May, 1845.
The ' Zenobia,' Commander Stephens, arrived at Bombay