'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎246] (265/622)

246
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
burst to a hair's breadth just where they ought, and did the
precise amount of mischief intended by them. We take the
opportunity of specially adverting to the subject, because,
though we have always heard the merits of the gunnery in
struction spoken of in the highest terms, we have at times ex
pressed an opinion that more than enough of time and attention
was devoted to the subject. The result shows that if it has
been so, the time has been well spent, and that the instruction
has been as good as could be given and thoroughly taken ad
vantage of."
The express to Bombay announcing the fall of Rangoon,
brought orders that two more war steamers should be prepared
for immediate service in Burmah. Sir Henry Leeke issued the
necessary orders, and the 4 Queen,' Commander Drought, and
4 Victoria,' Lieutenant Manners, were ready for sea in twenty-
four hours. By next post, however, they were countermanded.
Sir H. Leeke, in a General Order, dated the 6th of May, ex
pressed his gratification at the expeditious manner in which
Commander Drought and Lieutenant Manners met his wishes
by preparing these vessels for sea. The ' Queen' was undocked
at eleven o'clock a.m., on the 3rd instant, and was fully equipped,
and ready to proceed on service, had she been required, at sun
set the same evening; equally meritorious was the smartness
displayed by Lieutenant Manners.
The 4 Zenobia' left Moulmein on the 14th of April, for
Madras, for reinforcements, but, when south of the Andamans,
broke her intermediate shaft and was compelled to return; a
little later, in company with the 6 Berenice,' she proceeded to
Kyouk Phyoo, in Arracan, for the 67th Bengal Native In
fantry, which she disembarked at Rangoon on the 11th ot
On the 7th of May, an Expedition, consisting of about four
hundred and fifty troops, under Colonel Apthorp, and the
steamers 4 Medusa/ 4 Pluto,' and 4 Tenasserim,' with the marines
from the 4 Fox,' under Commander Tarleton, left in pursuit ot
the Governor of Rangoon, who was reported to be a little way
inland with an army of ten thousand men. After proceeding
about forty-five miles up the river, the combined force o
soldiers and sailors landed and advanced on Maubee, a distance
of seven miles, but they found that the Governor had decampe.,
having received intimation of the intended arrival ot the
steamers. After firing the village, the force marched back o
the river, suffering severely from the heat of the sun. At t is
time sickness was very prevalent in the Expeditionary force do
ashore and afloat. t ,i
The most important operation conducted during this mon
was the capture of the city of Bassein, the occupation ot w nc ,