'Naval Staff monographs (historical) vol 4 no 15 - Naval operations in Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf' [‎56] (71/150)

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cre^v had escaped during the night. The river steamer Mosul
was discovered to be aground in the next reach. She was full
of troops and stores, and surrendered to the Shaitan. 1
41. The Capture oJ Amara. —There appeared to be no doubt
that the enemy was thoroughly demoralised. General Townshend
decided, therefore, to push on at once with the lighter draught
vessels.
As the river was falling, the Espiegle and Clio, which were
practically aground near Garbi, were moved a mile down-stream
into deeper water, stern first, as there was no room to turn.
General Townshend, transhipped to the Comet, and, with the
S.N.O., proceeded up the river in pursuit of the Turks at
11 a.m., 2 accompanied by the Shaitan, Sumana, and Lewis Pelly,
three horseboats, each with a 4" 7-inch gun, and Sir Percy Cox,
Principal Political Officer, in his steam launch " L. 2." The
flotilla anchored for the night above Qualat Sale, 3 whose prin
cipal Arab citizens came on board to tender their submission,
and it proceeded at 5 a.m. 4 next day (3rd June). No opposition
was encountered, and white flags were flying everywhere.
The Shaitan was now sent on 3 miles ahead as an advanced
guard, and soon after 2 p.m. she steamed into Amara. The
town was full of enemy troops, and the little armed tug was
surrounded at point-blank range, but so complete was the
demoralisation of the Turks that not a shot was fired at her.
Two hundred and fifty of the enemy surrendered to her and
delivered up their rifles on board. 5 The remainder of our forces,
consisting of a total of 22 British soldiers and sailors, shortly
came up, and we received the surrender of Amara from the
Governor and Commandant.
Some 30 to 40 officers and 700 regular troops surrendered
to General Townshend and his 22 men. An entire battalion of
the crack Fire Brigade Regiment from Constantinople (about
500 men) surrendered in barracks to Lieutenant Palmer, R.N.,
and two men.
Messages were sent down river for our troops to be sent on
as fast as possible, and at 6.30 a.m. on 4th June the Norfolks
arrived. They were not a moment too soon, as the Arabs had
discovered the true state of affairs, and a fusilade had begun in
the houses. The arrival of the Norfolks enabled order to be
restored.
The prisoners taken during the operations of 31st May to
4th June 1915 comprised 139 officers and 1,634 men. The
1 Lieutenant Mark Singleton.
2 General Townshend's Report, p. 5; but Captain Nunn's Report, p. 131,
says noon. Espiegle's log says Shaitan proceeded at 11.10 a.m.
3 Spelt Kale Sale on Plan 1.
4 General Townshend's Report, p. 5; but Captain Nunn's Report, p. 131,
says 6 a.m.
5 For this exploit Lieutenant Singleton was awarded the D.S.O., and
Chief Petty Officer A. J. Roberts, R.N.R. (Coxswain), and Leading Seaman
Rowe (G.L.), were awarded the D.S.M.