'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎396] (415/622)

396 HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
fiigate Zenobia, which had not yet been commissioned but
on the 1st of September, when his successor, Commanded
O. U. Oampbell, took command of the receiving-ship 'Hastino-s'
on the death of Captain Hawkins, Lieutenant Constable was
placed in charge of the 'Euphrates.' Again, on the 18th of
September, he temporarily resumed command of the 'Zenobia'
only, on the 8th of October, to surrender her finally to Com
mander Ball (who remained in her until his death in the follow
ing year), and return to the command of the 'Euphrates'
which at this time was converted from a 10-gun brig-of-wa'r
into a surveying vessel, in which capacity she was employed
until the abolition of the Service. Lieutenant Constable was
engaged in the ' Margaret,' cutter, sounding off Bombay and
surveying Choul Harbour, and, a little later, Commodore Lush-
ington—who, as we have mentioned, had proceeded, in October,
1850, to the Gulf of Cambay, to ascertain what changes had
occurred since Commander Ethersey's survey—sent him in the
Neibudda, tender of the 'Euphrates,' to the Oulf of Cambay,
to report as to what measures were advisable to render the
navigation more easy, as the Gulf had been silting up since
Ethersey's time, which made it difficult for native trading ves
sels to find the right channel. Lieutenant Constable, having
completed his investigations, made his report; and, upon his
retuin, learnt that, by an Order dated the 10th of December,
1851, the ' Euphrates' had, during his absence, found a new
captain in Lieutenant Kennie, an officer who had served his
apprenticeship in hydrography under Sanders and Haines, and
was not less eminent as a surveyor than as a seaman and
officer. Finally, on the 9th of January, 1852, the 'Euphrates'
sailed for Surat with these two officers as Surveyor and Assist
ant-Surveyor, the tender 'Cardiva' being in company, under
Lieutenant W. H. Carpendale. The 'Euphrates' was employed
surveying from the mouth of the Taptee to l)anoo, and she re
turned to Bombay on the 12th of May following; the examina
tions were most minute and laborious, and fertile in results of
importance. On the promotion of Lieutenant Kennie to Com
mander, and his appointment to the 6 Zenobia,' from the 1st of
September, 1852, Lieutenant Constable assumed command of
the c Euphrates,' and applied for Mr. Midshipman An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. Stiffe as his
Assistant-Surveyor. Though there was no precedent of an
officer of so junior a rank holding such an appointment, with
the extra batta An extra allowance of pay granted to soldiers involved in special field service or to public servants on special duty. of 175 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. a month, the request was granted;
and it is certain that, notwithstanding his age and small expe
rience, no better selection could have been made than that of
this talented officer, whose scientific and other acquirements—
as astronomer, linguist, artist, and surveyor—place him on a
level with the most able and accomplished hydrographers pro
duced by this or any other Service.