'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎169] (188/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAYT.
169
Suez Canal, and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . As regards the appearance of
any Russian force in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , the idea would appear to
be most chimerical, for it could do nothing when it got there as
long as we have command of the sea, and the road to India, by
the Euphrates valley to the head of the Gulf, or through Persia,
will scarcely ever be adopted by a Russian army seeking to
invade our Eastern Empire, which must make the attempt, if
ever such a mad project is put into execution, by the passes
through which every conqueror, from Alexander and Mahmoud
of Ghuznee, has penetrated. Nevertheless, it is impolitic,
we think, to cease to occupy so advantageous a position as
Kharrack.
Captain W. Lowe was appointed Commodore of the Persian
Gulf squadron from the 1st of January, 1842, Commodore
Brucks' term of service having expired, and shifted his broad
pennant to the c Elphinstone,' being succeeded in the com
mand of the 4 Auckland ' by Commander R. Ethersey, who, on
the 15th of March, sailed for China, where he was of signal
service during the concluding operations of the war, as already
narrated.
On the 26th of February in this year, a fine steam frigate,
named the 4 Semiramis,' was launched from the dockyard, and
added to the Service. Her dimensions were as follow
length, 189 feet; breadth, 34 feet; depth of hold, 21 feet. Her
burden was 1,040 tons, and her steam-power about 250 horses.
She was fitted with two 68-pounder pivot guns, and six heavy
guns on the main deck, though this armament was subsequently
changed for six 8-inch guns.
An extraordinary instance of mortality from cholera* occurred,
in 1842, on board the Hon. Company's steamer 4 Zenobia,' while
carrying troops from Bombay to Kurrachee. In a few hours
there died no less than thirty-four men, chiefly belonging to
H.M. ? s 28th Regiment, on passage to Scinde, who, having been
drenched with rain when brought on board, were subjected to
great heat during the passage.
By notification, dated the 11th of August, 1842, the Governor
in Council made public the dates of despatch of mails and pas
sengers by the Company's steamers. They were to leave Bom
bay for Suez on the ist of each month, except during the
monsoon months, June to September inclusive, when there
would be no despatch. This was, however, soon changed, and
we find that, in the following year, the steamers made the
passage in the teeth of the monsoon to Aden, a task of no little
# Attacks of cholera were more frequent and virulent in those days, owing to
the want of the most ordinary sanitary precautions and bad diet. In June,
1846, an outbreak occurred at Kurrachee, when, in nine days there died, two
officers, fifty sergeants, seven hundred and sixty-three privates, thirty-two women,
and forty-eight children, besides five hundred and ninety-five Sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. .