'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎550] (569/622)

550
HISTORT OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
the 'Elphinstone,' Lieutenant Etheridge, and the 'Tigris,'
Lieutenant Clarkson, also returned from Bassadore.
In the latter part of September, 1862, Commodore Lord John
Hay, commanding H.M.S. ' Odin,' arrived at Calcutta to make
arrangements, in concert with the Supreme Government, for the
employment of H.M/s ships on the Eastern coasts of India in
consequence of the projected abolition of the Service. On the
1st of March, 1863, he arrived at Bombay, in the 'Odin,' to
make similar arrangements regarding the Western seas, and
sailed for England on the 17th of that month. Bombay had
already been visited by the officer appointed by the Admiralty
to command the East India station under the orders of the
Admiral Commanding-in-chief H.M.'s ships and vessels in
Eastern waters; this was Commodore Montresor, whose ship,
the 6 Severn,' fifty-one guns, arrived from England on the 13th
of January, 1863, when that officer proceeded on shore and visited
Commodore Frushard at his official residence; on the following
day the latter returned the visit, when he was saluted with eleven
guns from the 6 Severn'—the 6 Ajdaha,' in return, saluting
Commodore Montresor's broad pennant with nine guns.
Sir J. Elphinstone, in his speech of the 22nd of May, ex
pressed apprehension that "if the Service was abolished, he
was afraid we should have trouble in India," and, referring more
particularly to the admirable manner in which peace was main
tained in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. by the officers of the Indian Navy,
owing to their familiarity with the languages and customs of
the people, added that " he was perfectly convinced that if it
were placed under charge of Her Majesty's Navy, and that
officers were sent there who were not cognizant of the habits
and usages of the tribes," we should soon be involved in diffi
culties. The gallant officer's prognostications were soon verified
(though not as to the locale?) by an event that happened near
Aden, where one of H.M.'s ships got herself involved in diffi
culties with the Soomalies, who massacred an officer and
fourteen men, so tragic an event never having occurred since
our conquest of Aden in 1839, from which date the dealings
of the officers of the Indian Navy with neighbouring, tribes
became of a character requiring a combination of caution and
firmness.
On the 1st of September, 1862, a cutter and w 7 haleboat of
produce the least incoiivenience to each individually. 5. The time spent in
England will be allowed to reckon towards pension and retirement. 6. Officers
proceeding to Europe will be allowed to draw the ordinary furlough pay of their
substantive rank. 7. Officers serving afloat who have been, or who may hereafter
be, thrown out of employment consequent on reductions in the Service, will, while
on leave or unemployed in India, be permitted to receive the pay and emoluments
(such as pursers' eighths, servant's wages, provision money, watch money, &c.) of
their last appointments for the period of six months, or until further orders are
received from the Secretary of State."