'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎254] (273/622)

254
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
termined not to land and attempt to dislodge the enemv
reported by the neighbouring inhabitants to be fifteen hundred
strong. The casualties on this occasion were confined to the
6 Medusa/ at which, as the leading vessel, the enemy's fire was
principally directed.
At sunset the flotilla anchored off Meaoung; and, at day
light on the 8th, again weighed, and proceeded till within sight
of an extensive fortification crowning the end of a ridge of hills
300 feet high, terminating abruptly at the town of Akouk-
toung. Bundoola was reported to be here, with seven thousand
men and a number of guns, variously stated as from fifteen to
forty. It having been ascertained from the pilot that a shal
low passage might, probably, be found at this season through
a creek to the eastward of the island, opposite Akouk-toung,
the steamer proceeded by this passage, which was completely
out of the range of Bundoola's guns. Here they learned that a
small steamer, belonging to the King of Ava, had only left on
the previous day, and that a large army w T as concentrated near
Akouk-toung. Commander Tarleton, foreseeing the panic which
the presence of the steamers would create above the defensive,
force, urged forward with all speed, detaching the ' Proserpine/
as the fastest vessel, to endeavour, by proceeding all night, to
overtake the Burmese vessel. However, her commander, Mr.
Brooking, found this impracticable, and was compelled to
anchor. The ' Mahanuddy's' fuel being now exhausted, Com
mander Tarleton left the 6 Phlegethon ' with her, to supply her
wants, and, he says, " by dint of great attention on the part of
Lieutenant Fraser, I.N„ and the officers of the 4 Medusa,' I
succeeded in steaming through the night, and reached Prome at
daylight on the 9th." At the south end of the town, near the
water's edge, they observed four heavy guns, but no armed
men near them. The 4 Medusa,' accordingly, anchored abreast
the spot, wdiere her men landed, and, having made fast a
haw T ser to the guns, and hove them off, they were then disabled,
and sunk in deep water, and the brass guns taken on board.
At seven the 'Proserpine' joined, and, a few hours afterwards,
the two other vessels, when, assisted by the boats' crews of the
'Fox,' every gun in Prome, twenty-three in number, was
brought off. It was an arduous task, but was completed with
the spirit characteristic of British seamen.
In the afternoon the 'Medusa' ascended ten miles higher up
the river, as far as Zeegain, where she anchored for the night,
leaving the other vessels at Prome, to transfer fuel. " I had
now," says Commander Tarleton, in his letter to Commodore
Lambert, " fully carried out the instructions contained in your
letter of the 30th of June. There was no prospect of over
taking the steamer, and I had seriously to consider the safety
of the vessels under my orders. With an enterprising foe, 1