'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎7] (26/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
7
discovery, when he explored Van Diemen's Land and the
Derweut River, the south-west side of New Caledonia, south
east and north coasts of New Guinea, the Molucca Islands,
Timor, the whole north and south-east face of Java, from Cape
Sandano westward, having passed through the Straits of
Madura, and presented the first instance of the progress of a
British ship through that intricate channel. During this
expedition he adopted such humane and judicious measures in
reference to the intercourse of the expedition with the savage
inhabitants of several of the places he explored, that not a
single life on either side was ever compromised or lost in a
quarrel. Personally gallant and fearless to the point of reck
lessness, Lieutenant Hayes abhorred anything like cruelty or
oppression, and though the ships under his command were
noted for discipline and efficiency, he had the utmost repugnance
to flogging and rarely resorted to it.
In 1797 he was selected to proceed on amission to the Hakim
of Sonmeanee, to demand restitution of a British ship, and was
furnished with an armed vessel, the ' Vigilant,' carrying six
guns, and a small crew, in addition to his personal escort, con
sisting of seven artillerymen, two European seamen, and
twenty-two Sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. of the Marine Battalion. On the 13th of
January, when close in with the Island of Beyt, at the entrance
of the Gulf of Cutch, he was attacked by a squadron of
Sanganian pirates, and the action which ensued was perhaps
one of the most desperate ever recorded. Lieutenant Hayes
had the lobe of his right ear shot away, his right cheek cut
in two, and his upper jaw-bone shattered to pieces. This wound
was inflicted by a jingal piece, fired close to his head, and was
of a frightful character. His life was for a considerable period
endangered by it, and his countenance to the last sufficiently
indicated the seriousness of the injury*
Lieutenant Hayes was next employed on shore with Colonel
Little's detachment until the reduction of Seringapatam in
1799. Afterwards, in command of the ' Alert,' he landed on
* The Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. desired to present him with a sword in recognition
of his gallantry and wonnds, but as at this time Lieutenant Hayes had a family
of only three daughters, he requested that the gift might assume another form,
and accordingly he received a magnificent silver cup, on which the following
inscription was engraved :—" At the entrance of the G^ulf of Cutch, the Vigilant
was attacked by a fleet of four sail of Sanganian pirates, each vessel double her
size and force. This unequal and desperate conflict lasted four hours, three-
fourths of which time the enemy's vessels were on board the 4 Vigilant.' About
the termination of this memorable contest. Lieutenant Bayes received a severe
wound, having the lobe of his right ear shot away, his right cheek cut in two,
and his upper jawbone shattered to pieces." Ten years after receiving this cup,
Captain Hayes had a son born to him, an officer distinguished in the Army for
his linguistic attainments and soldierly acquirements. This son, Captain
Fletcher Hayes, was Military Secretary to the late lamented Sir Henry Lawrence,
and died of his wounds in the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. of Lucknow, during the ever-memorable
siege.