'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎136] (155/622)

136
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY,
Bombay were the most serviceable of any in the possession of
the Company, and such as were not lost by the accident of the
sea, were in perfect condition at the time of the abolition of the
Service, while the steamships built or purchased in England
were generally signal failures. On the 19th of April, 1840, the
' Cleopatra,' steam sloop. Commander J. P. Sanders, built atNo'rth-
fleet, arrived at Bombay; scarcely had she left the Channel
on her passage out, which was made under sail, with her paddle-
boxes and wheels stowed on board, than she lost her foremast
and was forced to put into Lisbon. This evil fortune followed
the ship until she found a premature grave in mid-ocean. On
the 16th of June following, the ' Sesostris,* steam frigate, of
876 tons, and 220 horse-power, and carrying four 8-inch guns,
arrived from England, under command of Commander Robert
Moresby, the eminent surveyor, who was returning from his
three years' leave, and under whose immediate supervision she
had been built and fitted out in the East India Docks.
Early in 1841 the' Sesostris ' proceeded up the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
and her presence, owing to the terror inspired by the range of
her great guns, had the happiest effect in checking the piratical
instincts of the Arab chiefs. In company with the ' Coote,'
Commodore Bracks, and the 'Tigris,' she made the tour
of the ports of the Gulf, and, at Debaye, brought a noted
piratical Skeikh to his " bearings " by a brief bombardment of
his stronghold, which he had regarded as inaccessible.!
* These ships, as the first of the class of steam frigates, were the wonder and
admiration of all the people at the places at which they touched on their voyage
out and in India. An officer of the ' Sesostris' writes to us :—"The 4 Sesostris'
was at this time thought a perfect marvel. Hundreds of people used to flock to
the bunder and on board, to inspect so fine a steam vessel of war."
f An officer present in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , thus describes the doings of the
squadron : " Left Kharrack on the 15th of February, and proceeded to Bushire,
to arrange some matters connected with boats belonging to Assaloo, which were
cruising to intercept boats laden with supplies for Kharrack. The arrival of the
Coote, ' Sesostris/ and ' Tigris ' at Bushire caused a great sensation. On the
17th sailed for Bahrein, where some communications took place between the
Commodore and the Chief; here also the range of the ' Sesostris's' guns was ex
hibited. The next place we went to was Furaat. Here again the Commodore
had further communication with the Chief; after which we proceeded to a place
called Biddah, situated at the bottom of a harbour ; the entrance is narrow, and
m some parts barely sixteen feet water. On the arrival here of the 4 Sesostris'
and Coote some negotiation about piracy was agreed to by the Chief and Com
modore, but at daylight next morning the signal was made, ' prepare for action
and shortly after sunrise, a shot from the c Coote' went over the fort, and, imme
diately after, one close under the fort. She then opened her broadside ; the dis
tance was too great though the shot told—it was 1,700 yards. The ' Coote' also
fired nine guns, when a flag of truce came off. All was now settled here, and
the vessels put to sea. No vessels the size of the 'Coote' and 'Sesostris' ever
entered this place before. We next went to an island called Seer Abonaid; here
we stopped two days on account of a north-west wind. We then proceeded to
Abothubee, where some communication took place, and the following day the
vessels were off Debaye. This place is situated on a backwater, and the Chief,
Muktoom, is said to be the greatest rascal on the coast. He appears to have
been committing various acts of piracy, and breaking the maritime truce, and