'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎268] (287/622)

268
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
visions at his disposal, in boats up the Sittang River, escorted
by the boats of the 4 Ferooz,' the other half being carried by
sixty elephants and forty carts. On the 22nd of February, the
British column entered Tonghoo, and, soon after, the provision
boats, under Lieutenant Hellard, arrived.
Lieutenant Hellard has kindly supplied us with the following
narrative of the proceedings of the 6 Ferooz,' from the capture
of Rangoon up to the time of his return from the Sittang River,
where he was employed for a period of over four months
" Soon after the taking of Rangoon the 'Ferooz ' proceeded'to
Calcutta, leaving the pinnace behind in charge of Mr. Midship
man Hurlock, who was actively employed in the Irrawaddy
until our return with Lord Dalhousie, the Govertior-General of
India. After taking his lordship back we were ordered to pro
ceed to Moulmein to protect Martaban, and also to clear the
various creeks in its vicinity, and the boats were constantly
employed on this service, having an occasional brush with the
enemy. On one occasion. Lieutenant Holt being in command,
accompanied by Messrs. Midshipman An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. Clay and Hurlock, they
had a sharp engagement, drove the Burmese from their
stockade, which was destroyed, together with a large store of
grain ; in this engagement Mr. Midshipman An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. Clay was wounded.
In the Beeling Creek I w 7 as in charge on several occasions, but
the enemy generally retreated on the appearance of the boats,
although they had cut down trees across and staked them down
for miles, and we were days employed in clearing it, this being
the nearest way to Sittang. Being also stationed in Moulmein
with a view of assisting the force proceeding to Tonghoo, under
General Steel, I volunteered to attempt an entrance into the
River Sittang, although the Commodore, Captain Lynch and
others, had, after visiting the entrance, declared it impossible
for any ship's boat to enter it, on account of the bar. 1 was at
first refused, but at last permission w 7 as granted, provided I
could find volunteers to man three boats. At muster next day
the whole of the crew stepped to the front to accompany me,
the great difficulty being to decide who should. We started in
the two sponson boats and the second cutter, with seven native
boats laden with provisions for the troops, the officers accom
panying me being Mr. Connor, Acting-Master, and Messrs.
Midshipmen An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. Hurlock and Liardet. We successfully opened
the navigation of the river. On arriving at Sittang, finding
the General had gone on to Shoe-gyne, I lost no time in joining
him, and in twenty-four hours started for Tonghoo, keeping up
a daily communication with the army. They, however, made a
forced march, surprised the enemy and took the place, and the
boats arrived shortly afterwards. We were kept for about two
months, and, after conveying the General to Sittang, returned
to the 'Ferooz,' encountering the first burst of the south-west