'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎362] (381/622)

362
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
applauded the feat as worthy the countrymen of Nelson and
Cochrane; but we maintain tbat still greater is the credit due
to Commodore Young and his coadjutors in that, with so small a
force, they achieved a signal victory with insignificant loss
The result speaks for the discipline and admirable gunnerv
of the ships' crews; and for this the officers of the Indian
Navy, who trained their men, mostly recruited for three years
from merchant ships in Bombay, are entitled to great commen-
dation.
Commodore Young, writing from the ^Ferooz,' on the 27th of
February, gives the following details of the action
" Having observed the mortars placed on the raft, constructed
under the superintendence of Commander Rennie, of the
'Ferooz,' and anchored on the evening of the 25th inst. in the
channel to the westward of Dubber Island, had opened fire, the
Indian Naval Squadron under my command got under weigh, and
ran up the river until opposite the forts defending the channel
leading to Mohamra, in the following order the 6 Semirarnis,'
with the 'Clive' in tow, followed by the 4 Ajdaha,'proceeded
up the western channel to support the mortar battery; the
'Ferooz,''Assaye,'and 6 Victoria,'the latter with the 'Falk
land' in tow, remaining in reserve until the fire of the forts
was deranged. This was soon accomplished, on which the
vessels in reserve entered the eastern channel, the 'Ferooz'
opening her fire on the south fort at less than point-blank
range, as she passed to take up her position against the north
fort, and sufficiently in advance to receive support from the
6 Assaye,' immediately astern of her. The division of the ships
in the western channel was then recalled, and joined in close
attack; the 'Semiramis' and 'Victoria,' the latter with the
'Falkland' in tow, engaging the south fort, as well as the
inland one on the north side. Besides the fire maintained on
the forts, frequent discharges of shell and grape were made in
the direction where it was supposed the enemy's entrenched
camp was situated. So effective was the fire from the ships
that, in less than three quarters of an hour from its commence
ment, the batteries were only able to reply from three or four
guns. At this period (7.45 a.m.) of the engagement, the
'Ferooz,' flying my pennant, hoisted the rendezvous flag at her
mast-head, which was repeated by the other vessels engaged,
being the preconcerted signal for the troop-ships to advance.
This movement on the part of the vessels in question not
being made with such celerity as could be desired. Commander
Eennie, of the 'Ferooz,' volunteered to proceed through the
fire, to accelerate their advance, which was accomplished in
excellent order, although at the time the fire from the batteries
was far from being silenced. From between nine and ten