'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎86] (105/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
1837, when suffering from a violent fit of delirium, Lieutenant
Wellsted discharged both barrels of his gun into his mouth,
but the balls, passing upwards, only inflicted two ghastly wounds
in the upper jaw. He was conveyed on board the 6 Hugh
Lindsay' at Muscat, in a deplorable condition, and proceeded to
Bombay, whence he was compelled to go on leave to Europe.
Lieutenant Wellsted retired from the Service in 1839, and
dragged on a few years in shattered health, and with impaired
mental powers, chiefly residing in France, until death released
him from his sufferings, in 1843. He was the author of two
admirable works, " Travels in Arabia," and 44 Travels to the
City of the Caliphs," and, in acknowledgment of his labours,
was elected a fellow of the Royal and other learned Societies.
The Right Hon. Sir Alexander Johnston, referring to Wellsted's
journey through Socotra, and his admirable work on that
island, already alluded to, says in his address to the Royal
Geographical Society :— 44 Lieutenant Wellsted's chart, and his
account of that island, copies of which are published in the
Journal of the Geographical Society, do the highest honour to
his talents and his scientific acquirements, and afford the public
a proof of the advantage they have derived from the employ
ment of such an officer in so important a service. Many of the
officers of this Navy have availed themselves of the opportunities
which their profession has afforded them of acquiring a know
ledge of the customs and interests of the differents native chiefs
on whose coasts they have been employed." In conclusion, Sir
Alexander spoke of the Indian Navy, as u one of the most
important departments of the Military and Civil Services in
British India, and also one of the most powerful engines which
can be employed by the Society for procuring information in
reference to Asia, and for dispersing amongst the people of that
division of the globe, the arts, the sciences, and civilization of
Europe."
Lieutenant Whitelock continued his travels in Oman, and
visited Lachsa, near El Kateef, and other places of interest.
In 1841, Major W. C. Harris, of the Bombay Engineers, pro
ceeded to Ankobar, the capital of Shoa, on a commercial mission
to the King of that country, accompanied by Captain Graham,
Lieutenant W. C. Barker (I.N.), Dr. Kirk, Dr. Roth, and a
German missionary, a Mr. Kraieff, who acted as interpreter.
The baggage and presents, in the train of the mission, loaded
two hundred camels, and the distance of 370 miles was per
formed in forty-seven days. The mission suffered excessively
from heat and want of water, owing to their having started at
the close of the dry season, contrary to the advice of the natives
of the coast.
The frontiers of Abyssinia were reached in the middle of
July, the entire route being through a country described as " a