'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎241] (260/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
241
Governor-General. His departure was much regretted by the
officers of the Indian Navy, for he was a thorough gentleman
and an admirable officer. Dignified, yet kind and courteous to
all, he was firm and just, and though, perhaps, rather inclined
to "taking things easy," was, in many respects, a model Com
mander-in-chief. He avoided excessive intermeddling with
details, the bane of so many excellent and energetic chiefs,
and thus showed the officers that he trusted them, while his
courteous treatment of every one placed in contact with him,
had the best effect upon the Service and revived its zeal and
discipline.
On the 31st of March the squadron, with four transports in
tow, embarked the Madras brigade, consisting of a total force of
four thousand three hundred and eight3 ^-eight officers, soldiers,
and camp followers, and sailed for Rangoon the same day. On
the 7th of April the squadron anchored at the mouth of the
Rangoon river. Already there had arrived here the Hon. Com
pany's steamers 'Pluto,' 'Phlegethon/ and 'Proserpine'; also,
on the 1st of April, Rear-Admiral Austen, the Naval Com
mander-in-chief, in H.M.'s steamship 6 Rattler'; and, on the
following day, from Calcutta, Major-General H. Godwin,*' ap
pointed to the command of the Expedition, with the Bengal
Division, and H.M.'s steamship 6 Hermes,' the Hon. Company's
steamers 'Enterprise,''Tenasserim,' and 'Fire Queen,'and four
transports. The first operation undertaken by the General and
Admiral was the capture of Martaban, which fell on the 5th of
April, after a brief bombardment, when they proceeded to the
rendezvous, where, on their arrival on the 8th, they found the
Indian Naval squadron.f
* This fine old soldier had commanded the 41st Kegiment throughout the
First Burmese War with a success and gallantry which gained him the warm
commendation of Sir Archibald Campbell, and the experience then acquired in
Burmese warfare pointed him out as well suited for the command in 1852.
f The following was the strength of the Expeditionary forces at this time ;—
H.M.'s ships.—' Rattler' (flag-ship), ' Fox,' 1 Hermes,' ' Salamander,' * Serpent,'
and a gun-boat. Total, eight hundred and eighteen men, eighty guns.
Steamers of the Indian Navy.—'Ferooz,' •'Moozuffer,' ' Zenobia,' 4 Sesostris,'
' Medusa,' and 4 Berenice.' Total, nine hundred and fifty-two men, thirty-one
heavy guns.
Steamers of the Bengal Marine.— < Tenasserim,' ' Pluto,' f Phlegethon,' ' Pro
serpine,' < Enterprise,' 4 Fire Queen,' and 4 Mahanuddy.' Total, five hundred men,
thirty-three guns.
Troops.—H.M.'s 18th Royal Irish, eight hundred and fifty men ; 51st Regi
ment, nine hundred men; 80th Regiment, four hundred and sixty men; five
companies of Artillery, five hundred and seventeen men; three regiments of
Native Infantry, two thousand eight hundred men ; Grun Lascars A term used by the British officials to describe non-European sailors employed on East India Company ships. , seventy men ;
two companies of Sappers and Miners, one hundred and seventy men. Total,
five thousand seven hundred and sixty-seven men.
Ordnance. Howitzers. 8-inch, two ; 24-pounders, six ; field-guns, 9-pounders,
eight. Total, sixteen.
Grand total.—Ships-of-war, nineteen ; men, eight thousand and thirty-seven :
guns, one hundred and fifty-nine.
VOL. H. -r