'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎119] (138/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAYY.
119
military and naval chiefs * to take the necessary steps to occupy
the place according to the terms of the agreement, and placed
his services as pilot at the disposal of Captain Smith, the fami
liarity he had acquired whilst surveying the port, enabling him
to place the ships in their respective positions to the best
advantage.
The 17th of January was occupied by Captain Smith and
Major Baillie in preparing their plans for the attack, and in
making the necessary preparations. It was decided that the
attack should be made on the Eastern side, called Aden Road,
or Front Bay anchorage, and that the ships of war were first
to bombard the island of Seerah and town, and that then the
troops were to be landed in the boats of the squadron for the
assault.
On the 17th, a reconnaissance was effected, and an attempt
was made that night to land some guns and artillerymen on a
small island on the north side, in order to act as a diversion
when the real attack was made, and to prevent ingress into the
town. The attempt, however, failed, and, on the morning of the
18th, the Expeditiont sailed round to the Front Bay, and anchored
there the same afternoon. As Captain Smith was standing
^ The following is a copy of Commander Haines' letter to Captain Smith;—
<c Hon. Company's sloop-of-war 4 Coote,'
"Aden Back Bay, January 16, 1839.
<c
" All the negotiations with the chieftains of the Abdalla tribe having failed in
bringing them to perform their written promise of transferring Aden to the
British, and their having declared war by opening a fire on the Hon. Company's
sloop-of-w r ar ' Coote,' and her boats ; in fact, after all reasoning and every
strenuous endeavour had been exerted on the part of the Bombay Grovernment to
bring the deceitful and dishonourable tribe to their senses by mild and conciliatory
measures, have proved unavailing, I am under the necessity (as the last and only
resource left to obtain satisfaction for the repeated insults offered to the British)
to solicit force may be used to compel them to evacuate the ground ceded to the
British, under the Sultan's seal, in January, 1838, I have, therefore, the honour
to request that you will, with the squadron under your command in co-operation
with the troops under the command of Major Baillie, adopt such measures for
the immediate capture and occupation of Aden as may appear to you both best
calculated to obtain it. I take the liberty of pointing out that many of the poor
inhabitants of Aden have been compelled by the chieftains to remain there, con
sisting principally of Jews, and Banians ; I therefore earnestly solicit that,
if possible, their lives be preserved. I also beg, that if fortune should place
the Sultan or his sons, any chieftains or Seids, in our possession, their lives be
spared; and that any individual so captured be secured, to await further decision
regarding them. Having a perfect knowledge of the localities of the place, I
shall feel most happy to afford you any information on the subject j and if, from
a thorough knowledge of the Bay and anchorages, my services or advice be
advantageous, I shall feel proud to accompany the commander of any vessel
or squadron in taking up a close position for the destruction of their strongest
battery.
" (Signed) S. B. Haines , Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. .
<£ To Captain Smith, H .M.'s ship ' Volage,'
Senior Officer, Aden."
t The ships-of-war were :—The 'Volage,' 'Cruiser,' ' Coote,' and ' Mahi.' The
transports were the ' Lowjee Family,' 'Ernaad,' and 'Ann Crichton.'