'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎496] (515/622)

496
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAYY.
wonder is, that the officers, aware of their impending fate, and
disgusted with the treatment they had received, continued to do
their duty with unabated zeal and success. As the " Bombay
Times," an able organ of the Indian press, referring to this
condition of suspense, not inaccurately remarked:—" The
position and circumstances of the Indian Navy would have
demoralized any body of men in whom the sense of duty was
not unusually strong, years ago." It is a striking proof of
their efficiency and professional knowledge, that, during the
years 1857-60, when the ships were under-officered and under-
advantages, taking the difference of climate and situation as to expense into
consideration, pretty nearly equal in both. This is doubtless the general im
pression at home: and as the officers in the smaller service number amongst
them men equal in science, enterprise, bravery, and all the other requisites of an
efficient servant of the Crown, to the most distinguished men in the Royal Navy,
the impression that they are, upon the whole, equally remunerated, certainly
ought to be the true one. This little Service, at the present day, numbers some
adventurous and world-known explorers, whose energy in the heat and parched
plains of Africa may be held to equal that displayed by a few from amongst a
much larger service, amid the no less deadly regions of the Northern Seas." The
writer The lowest of the four classes into which East India Company civil servants were divided. A Writer’s duties originally consisted mostly of copying documents and book-keeping. then contrasts the chances of promotion (no hypothetical case) between an
elder brother who enters the Indian Navy, and a younger who goes into the Royal
Service, and continues :— a The younger brother, although in no way superior
in education or talent, yet what with his chances in the Crimea, or in the Baltic,
or China Seas, attains in twenty-one years the rank of post-captain and the
honours of C.B. The unfortunate elder one still plods on, a lieutenant of four
teen years' standing, making what head he may against a climate which sends
him home on sick leave, if he can afford it; and if not—to his grave. And his
pay is so small that he cannot afford it, unless by borrowing the necessary funds.
The " Royal" officer, in the same unhealthy seas, which he is rarely called to
visit, has his allowances increased to more than the amount of those enjoyed by
his Indian equal in rank, who has borne the burden and heat of the day. Num
berless other instances might be given of the difference between the circumstances
of officers in the two Services. The Commander of a Royal ship is allowed
freight on Government treasure, while the Indian Captain has none. On private
treasure the proportion of freight allowed to the latter is so small as not even to
balance the risk he is obliged individually to bear. The shore allowances of an
Indian Naval officer are also shamefully inadequate to his expenses. In short,
the whole subject of the pay and promotion of the Service is one requiring imme
diate and thorough revision. Amalgamation, to which the Indian Army 18 80
averse, is what the Indian Navy look forward to with hope. We have heard a
great deal in the last two or three years of the grievances of this and that branch
of the Service, and of that other one ; but we doubt if amongst them all they can
make out a case more urgently demanding relief. But one feeling pervades the
Indian Navy; and the discipline and efficiency of the Service under discourage
ments so profound, are equally honourable and marvellous. A sailor is not easily
induced to take up the pen, but we do earnestly invite the officers of the Indian
Navy to make an appeal to public opinion through our columns. Let the Service
either be amalgamated with the Royal Navy, or put upon a footing of equality
therewith. The suspense in which its officers at present stand ought not to be
permitted to continue. The position and circumstances of the Indian Navy
would have demoralized any body of men in whom the sense of duty was not
unusually strong, years ago, and we cannot but be conscious of some indignation
that Royal officers have been content, year after year, to command this gallant an
distinguished little Service, without an effort to secure for it the status and tne
consideration to which it is entitled, and which we take the liberty to add, mus
be accorded it."