'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎516] (535/622)

516
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAYY.
28th Regiment, a Company of Artillery, a Detachment of
Sappers, the 6th Native Infantry, and two hundred men of the
Marine Battalion, the whole under the command of Lieutenant-
Colonel Donovan, of H.M/s 33rd Regiment. The Indian Navy
furnished the Naval contingent, consisting of the'Ferooz,' Com
mander Cruttenden, senior naval officer; 4 Zenobia,' Com
mander Tronson ; 6 Berenice,' Lieutenant Twynam ; ; Victoria,'
Lieutenant Chitty; 'Clyde,' Lieutenant Nixon ; and 4 Constance,'
Lieutenant Dickson; with the 'Lady Falkland' to carry the
mails. On the 29th of September the squadron sailed from
Bombay for Beyt, escorting the transports 4 South,' 6 Ramilies,'
and 6 Empress of India,' conveying the troops. Lieutenant
A. D. Taylor, the eminent surveyor, who was familiar with ^the
Kattywar coast, was specially appointed to the 'Ferooz,' to
assist in the navigation of the Gulf of Cutch.
The force arrived off Beyt, at the entrance of the Gulf, on the
3rd of October. The following day was spent in reconnoitring,
and the boats of the squadron—two from the 'Ferooz,'two from
the 4 Zenobia,' and one from the 4 Victoria'—under the command
of Lieutenant Chitty, were employed cutting out the native craft
lying in-shore, while the ships took up a position within eight
hundred yards of the south side of the fort. On the morning
of the 5th of October, the 'Ferooz,' 'Zenobia,' 'Victoria,
' Clyde,' and ' Constance,' opened fire on the fort, a very strong
and compact work, having lofty, massive towers, mounted with
guns, and presenting an imposing appearance from the sea.
The castle was bombarded all day, but, during the night, there
was a cessation of firing. On the morning of the 6th, the
bombardment was resumed with redoubled energy, and at length
it was resolved to attempt the storm of the fort. Accordingly,
at two p.m. the troops were landed, under a heavy fire from the
enemy, the disembarkation being effected under protection of
the guns of the squadron; the boats' crews, with field-pieces,
also landed and co-operated with the troops, whose advance they
covered with their fire. The attempt to capture the place by
escalade failed, owing to the very heavy fire poured upon the
assailants from the curtains, which had been extensively
loopholed. The face of the wall, in w r hich was a great gap,
caused by the bombardment, was protected with a chevaux de
frise of prickly pear, and it was resolved, after some con
siderable loss had been experienced, to withdraw the troops and
continue the bombardment. At this juncture a white flag was
hung out, and the chief offered to surrender the fort on con
dition of the garrison being permitted to march out with their
arms. The commanders, however, demanded an unconditional
surrender, upon which the flag w'as hauled down, and the ships
recommenced the firing. Soon after dark the Waghers eva
cuated the fort, which was occupied on the following day.