'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎6] (25/622)

6 HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
Calcutta, by the Hon. Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. , and in 1811, received
a Commodore's commission for the Java Expedition, on which
occasion he commanded a squadron of nine vessels of war ; and
in the late Burmese war he was in command of the armed
flotilla as a flag-officer, on the coast of Arracan. A sword was
voted to Sir John Hayes in 1798, by the Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. for
his intrepid behaviour in an engagement with pirates in the
truit ot Outch, when he was severely wounded, and he had
repeatedly received the thanks of the Hon. Court and of suc
cessive Governments, in Bengal and Bombay. The thanks of
-rarliament for the gallant conduct of himself, officers, and
men, during the Burmese war, and the honour of knighthood
conferred on him by his Sovereign, further marks the estimation
in which his services have been held. The Eight Hon. the
overnor in Council is sensible that any expression of his
sentiments on the services and character of the late Commodore
''' Hayes must be feeble, after the testimonials already
cited; but in justice to an officer of such distinguished merit
and integrity, and as an example and encouragement to others,
his Lordship in Council deemed it fit briefly to advert to these
services and honours, and to offer his tribute of applause and
ot regret on this lamented occasion." The above testimony
only does justice to the character of Sir John Hayes. The
ndian Navy has produced, before and since, equally gallant
seamen, but neither this nor any other public service often
numbers within its ranks an officer so disinterested and single-
minded that throughout his long career no one could cast a
stone at him, or refer to a single incident in which a regard for
the welfare of the public service was not the actuating
principle of his conduct. 6
We have, in the course of this work, introduced the services
ot bir John Hayes, which form so brilliant a chapter in the
history of the Indian Navy, but now that we have chronicled
the closing scene of his life, we will give a brief of his
^ us k m ca . reer: ~ Mr - Hayes was appointed a volunteer
in the Bombay Marine The navy of the East India Company. in December, 1781, when only thirteen
years of age In 1782-3, while midshipman An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. of the 'Bombay,'
he cut out two ships in Mangalore Roads, and was present
Morl ( ng ? 1 C ^V lre ? f Cundapore, Onore, Mangalore, and
and Hpntinw h ^ he was ern l' lo 3' ed as midshipman An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer.
Sntln P V w r ? V , ar T 10us cruiset ' s at Bussorah, Calcutta,
Canton, Prince of W ales Island, and other places; and was
ven employed occasionally on active land service, when the
Wlt , h li PP 00 Sult an. In 1790-1. he was attached
to the army under General Abercromby, and was present
Tfter ZrU f,?'" 60 ' C ;" lie • C'MMMre.and Billapattm.
fhe"Duke i 9 ?" 4 ' h,! com ""'" tW
the Duke of Clarence and the ' Duchess,' on a voyage of