'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎135] (154/622)

HISTORY OP THE INDIAN NAVY.
135
In January, 1848, Commander Campbell, of the ' Euphrates,
having embarked Lieutenant Cruttenden, the Assistant Political
Agent, proceeded to the Soomalie coast, and visited the
various tribes, the results of the visit being recorded by Lieu
tenant Cruttenden in the Journals of the Bombay and Koyal
Geographical Societies. The 'Euphrates' then returned to
Aden, and, on the 4th of April, Commander Campbell was des
patched to Mocha to protect the British merchants trom the
exactions of the Dowlah; by his vigorous action, seconded by
Lieutenant Leeds, communding the ' Constance, which was or
dered up to support him, he exacted compensation and an apology
for the outrage. For his conduct on this occasion he received a
letter of thanks from the Secret Committee Pre-1784, the Committee responsible for protecting East India Company shipping. Post-1784, its main role was to transmit communications between the Board of Control and the Company's Indian governments on matters requiring secrecy. of the Board ot
Control, communicated through the Bombay Government.
Though since the departure of Sir Charles Malcolm, the
Indian Navy had been reduced one-fourth in its strength ot
commissioned officers, the services required of it were increased
in a still greater ratio. Since the acquisition of Aden a squadron
was permanently established there for the protection ot the
settlement and of British interests in the Bed Sea; a squadron
was also employed at the mouth of the Indus, while the esta
blishment of monthly steam communication with Suez, required
the employment of officers in the packets. In addition to these
calls, the outbreak of war in China necessitated the despatch ot
the 6 Atalanta' to those seas, and later, other steamers were
sent to the eastward. The result of this demand for oincers,
was that the ships were sent to sea under-officered, and the tew
they had on board were overworked. Still it is gratirymg
to record that the duties required of them were performed with
zeal and success, and the admirals of the Royal bervice expressed
their satisfaction with the ships and officers ot the Indian Navy.
In the latter part of 1839 the 4 Victoria,' steam-sloop, ot 705
tons and 230 horse-power, and carrying five guns, was launched at
Bombay, and, under the command of Commander H. A. Ormsby,
F.R.S., the famous traveller, who had been reinstated in the
Service, made the quickest passage to Suez then recorded. On the
9th of January, 1840, a steam frigate, named after the Governor-
General, the ' Auckland'—of 946 tons and 220 horse-power,
and carrying six 8-inch guns—was floated out of ^ Bombay
dockyard; and, two years later, a second fine steam frigate was
added to the Service from the hands of the Parsee builders ot
the dockyard, and was called the 4 Semiramis,' the steamer oi
the same name brought out by Captain Brucks, having been
converted into a coal-ship at Aden, and re -christened the
6 Charger.' The steamers and sailing ships constructed at
* Like Captain D. Ross and Lieutenant J. K Wellsted, of the Service, Com
mander Ormsby had been elected a Fellow ot the Royal Society, m recognition
of bis services as a surveyor and scientific geographer.