'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎508] (527/622)

508
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAYY.
Indian Navy during the earlier months of the Mutiny, when,
owing to the despatch of troops to Kurrachee to proceed thence
up-country, the protection of the Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. was mainly left
to the ships of the Service lying in Bombay Harbour. At
that time of alarm and distrust, large bodies of seamen # were
kept prepared to land at a moment's notice whenever the pre
concerted signal was made, while strong detachments of blue
jackets were employed night and day doing duty ashore. The
Government slept the sleep of security, happy in the knowledge
that the Service, from Commodore Wellesley downwards, was
equal to the occasion; and it is certain that the Bombay Marine The navy of the East India Company.
Battalion, whose traditions pointed to a service of nearly a
hundred years in the Indian Navy, knew well that Jack ashore
was no less formidable than Jack afloat, and that his officers
were not likely to err on the side of leniency if brought into
contact with mutiny and sedition. These experiences were,
doubtless, communicated to their brethren on shore, who would
form an estimate of the prowess of the British seaman, not less
complimentary to him than that held by the Pandies on the
Bengal side who dreaded the kilted Highlanders much, but still
more feared the sailors, who, they believed, carried 12-pounders
slung over their shoulders like carbines. But though the Go
vernment appreciated the prompt and energetic readiness with
which the officers of the Service undertook duties foreign to
their employment, yet the Lieutenants in command of Detach
ments at Bombay and Surat, were subjected to the great injus
tice of receiving less pay thar\ the Captains of the revolted
regiments, with whom they ranked ! On the other side of
India, the officers employed ashore were paid according to their
relative military rank, and were thankful for this recognition
of services rendered to the State.
Thus, in Bengal, Lieutenants, or Acting-Lieutenants, com
manding Detachments received 400 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. a-month, and other
Lieutenants 300 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. , while officers of the same rank serving
on shore in the Western Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. only received, in addition to
their regular pay of 145 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. a-month, 3 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. batta An extra allowance of pay granted to soldiers involved in special field service or to public servants on special duty. per
diem.f Midshipmen An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. , who in all cases performed the duties of
Subalterns of Infantry and Artillery, and mates of less than
* In addition to the men-of-war's men from the Company's ships, Lieutenant
H. Carey, first of the ' Assaye,' which lay guard-ship in the harbour, was
placed in command of a large body of volunteer seamen from the merchant ships.
It was his duty to drill these men, and in the event of an outbreak, at a precon
certed signal, to collect them and take charge of the dockyard, relieving the
!Naval Brigade who were to move out and join the troops.
f The accompanying are abstracts of the Service Orders making these regula
tions, which were as unjust as they were opposed to common sense :—
" 8th December, 1858, No. 2689.
" The officers and others of the Indian Naval Brigade serving on shore in Ben
gal were granted pay and allowances at the following rates : Lieutenants in com
mand of detachments 400 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. per mensem being 300 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. per month as