'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎247] (266/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAYY.
247
in the first Burmese war, by the late Sir Robert Sale, was con
sidered of prime necessity by the Commander-in-chief, Sir
Archibald Campbell. The garrison of Bassein had recently
been strengthened by four thousand regular troops from Ava,
which increased the strength to six thousand men, and the
defence of this important post was now entrusted to a new
Burmese general.
On the 17th of May, General Godwin, accompanied by Com
modore Lambert, proceeded to sea with eight hundred men,*"
embarked in the steam-frigates 'Moozuffer' and 6 Sesostris,'t and
the steamers 4 Pluto' and 4 Tenasserim.' Bassein, situated about
sixty miles above the island of Negrais, at the entrance of the
Bassein river, was reached on the afternoon of the 19th. The
4 Pluto,' from her little draught, was employed sounding in
advance up the river; then came the 4 Tenasserim,' having on
board the naval and military chiefs, followed, at half a cable's
length, by the 4 Sesostris' and 4 Moozuffer.'
At a few minutes after four o'clock in the afternoon of the
20th of May, they sighted the fortifications of Bassein, which
stands on the left bank of the river, consisting, says Commo
dore Lambert, in his despatch, 44 of a very extensive mud fort,
a long line of stockade, and a strong work round the Pagoda,
with a brick parapet fronting the river; also, in an admirable
position on the right bank, there stood a very large stockade,
mounting several cannon." The enemy permitted the squadron
to approach unmolested, and preparations were forthwith made
to attack the works, the Navy being represented in this instance
by the steam-frigates 4 Sesostris' and 4 Moozuffer.' At half-past
four, when abreast the stockades, the ships anchored, imme
diately after which the troops were landed 44 in perfect order in
a very short period." They had scarcely formed under General
Godwin's direction, when a heavy fire was opened, both with
cannon and musketry, from the various stockades, which was
immediately answered by a cheer from the party landed, who
stormed and carried the Pagoda. As soon as the enemy com
menced firing, the ships opened their fire on the different bat
teries. Commodore Lambert says :— 44 Observing the stockade
opposite the town had been silenced, I directed Commander
Campbell, of the 4 Sesostris,' to land with the boats of his own
ship and the 4 Moozuffer's,' and to storm it, which he effected in
III ml
# Four hundred men of the 51st Kegiment, three hundred of the 9th Madras
Native Infantry, sixty-seven Madras Sappers, seven gunners of the Bengal Artil
lery, under Major Errington of the 51st Regiment; the Marines, forty-four men,
and a detachment of sixteen seamen, with a field-piece, from H.M.S. ' Fox.'
under Lieutenant Rice, R.N., and Lieutenant Elliot, R.M.
t According to a return made by Commodore Lambert, the crew of the < Sesos
tris' at this time numbered one hundred and sixty-eight officers and men, whereas
she left Bombay with one hundred and thirty-five men.