'Naval Staff monographs (historical) vol 4 no 15 - Naval operations in Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf' [‎37] (48/150)

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Indies, that the Ocean was required to escort a convoy leaving
Karachi in about 10 days' time, but the ship had been allowed
to remain in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. on the representations of Admiral
i eirse that her presence was necessary as her Captain was
conducting combined operations with the G.O.C. 1 Moreover,
several of her officers and men were up the Shatt-al-'Arab with
the Naval Hotilla. On 16th November, Admiral Peirse was
ordered to take cnarge of the naval operations in Egypt, where
an attack on the Suez (Janal was anticipated; he retained
command of the East Indies Station, but Captain Hayes-Sadler
as o.N.O., Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , was given authority to communicate
direct with the Admiralty. 2
The Ocean remained lying at the bar of the Shatt-al-'Arab
^ 01 ) a visit to Kuwait and Bushire at the request of the
I ohtical Resident. Her heavy guns would, however, be of great
assistance in the defence of Egypt, and on 28th November the
Admiralty inquired the earliest date she could conveniently
leave the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. without detriment to the military
operations in the Shatt-al-'Arab ; a limited number of ratings
might be left behind to man the local craft which had been
taken up for service. 3 The operations against Qurna were then
imminent, but General Barrett was willing that the Ocean should
leave after their completion, provided he received no orders to
advance on Baghdad ; and it was arranged that she should leave
on 9th December, leaving behind two 12-pr. guns and a few
men. 4
General Barrett had now decided to commence operations
against Qurna on 3rd December, and preparations were
accordingly hurried on. On 1st December the Hhaitan, a small
shallow-draught tug which had been been employed in conveying
troops up and down the river, was commissioned for service
under Lieut.-Commander F. G. S. Elkes, R.N.R., of H.M.S. Ocean,
and armed with a 12-pr. gun. 5 On account of the shallow water
the only other armed craft which were able to get close up to
Qurna were the launches Miner and Lewis Pelly, the former
mounting a 12-pr. gun ; the Carmsir, whose engines were worn
out, had been paid off as useless on 12th November.
28. The First Attack. —The Flotilla, consisting of the Espiegle,
Odin, Lawrence and the armed launches Miner, Lewis Pelly,
and Shaitan, left Basra on the afternoon and evening of 3rd
December, and anchored for the night off Dair, about 10 miles
south of Qurna. The river steamers Medjidieh, Blosse Lynch?
1 A. 55, 56, 57, Captain Hayes-Sadler acted in concert with, but not
under the orders of, the G.O.O. {See operation orders.)
2 A. 58. 59, 60. 3 A. 61. 4 A. 62, 65.
_ 5 This gun was transferred from the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. -i-Naphte, which was now
paid off and returned to her local owners.
G The Medjidieh, and Blosse Lynch each mounted 2—18-pr. field guns,
which were to be placed at the disposal of the S.N.O. after the troops were
landed.