'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎345] (364/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
345
Rerinie, and Acting-Commanders Foulerton and Adams (the
latter the captain of this ship), the officers, petty-officers, and
seamen of the fleet under my command ; nor can I ever forget
their gallant conduct in this day's battle, or their cheerfulness
and activity in carrying out my orders and in moving their
ships into position abreast of the batteries; and I am sure the
Government will think with me that this was no eas}^ task to
perform, for most of the vessels drew from fifteen to sixteen feet
of water, and we had to take them (at high water) some way
through soft mud to get near enough to the forts, and this under
a heavy fire. Where all have so ably and gallantly performed
their duty, it is difficult to particularise individuals, but I
desire to express my warm thanks to Captain Griffith Jenkins,
the first captain of the ship, for the very , great assistance he
has afforded me throughout the whole of the operations, and
particularly during the action. He was the first officer—
assisted by Major Hill of the Engineers, and Lieutenant Clark-
son, the first lieutenant of my flag-ship—to enter the town and
hoist the British flag. In conclusion, may T again request your
Lordship's notice of the gallant officers who have given me so
much assistance and support during the time I have been fitting
out the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Expedition. By their exertions nearly
ten thousand persons, with all their camp equipage, provisions,
guns, and stores, and eleven hundred horses, have been landed
on the shores of Persia without the slightest accident, and, with
the exception of five horses, without a casualty of any sort; and
by to-morrow evening the troops will have their tents pitched,
cooking things ready, and every arrangement to give them com
fort and shelter in the cold weather and rains of the winter.
The Indian Navy, being a service of seniority, precludes promo
tion, and unlike their brethren of the Army, they can gain
nothing of advancement to a higher rank; but if, in bringing
to the notice of your Lordship in Council their meritorious con
duct upon this as well as every other occasion, I have the good
fortune to render a service to those who have so thoroughly
done their duty, it will be a source of the greatest gratifica-
tion Thus, after a bombardment of less than five hours, fell
* The following despatch from Commander Felix Jones, I.N., Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. ,
to the Secretary to the Grovernment of Bombay, dated the 13th of December,
1856, gives some further details of the capture of Bushire :—
" My last despatch made known my retirement from Bushire. I now continue
the report of my proceedings to the present date in connection with the Expe
ditionary force in this Grulf. On the 20th of November a detachment of the fleet
('Ferooz,'steam-frigate, towing two merchant ships, and corvette 'Falkland'),
first hove in sight of Bushire, and dispelled the prevailing idea that the force
would not quit the shores of India. This illusion I had been able to maintain
perfect to the last moment, though the object I had contemplated of an imme
diate descent on the coast failed, from the fleet being scattered in various parts of
the Gulf. It was not, indeed, until the 6th inst., that they were sufficiently
collected to admit of direct operations being commenced j but in the meantime