'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎106] (125/622)

106
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
the numbers of the Marines landed, and the boats and ships
employed. It probably would not have added one leaf to the
laurels gained by British seamen in every clime, but it as
suredly would have saved our prestige, had the Marines of the
squadron brushed from their path the insolent armed rabble
that followed the lead of the hectoring Baukr Khan, and had
the seamen, after clearing the breastwork, which had been
carefully constructed overnight to prevent the embarkation,
marched through the town and taught the people and
Governor of Bushire a lesson they would not soon have
forgotten.*
The services of the naval force at Bushire, were acknow
ledged in the following terms by the Supreme Govern-,
ment :—
" Extract of a letter from the Officiating Secretary to the
Government of India, dated the 9th of May, 1839, addressed
to Rear-Admiral Sir F. Maitland, Commander-in-chief, &c.
" The Right Hon. the Governor-General highly applauds
the cordial and able assistance offered by the officers and crews
of H.M.'s and the Hon. Company's ships, in the removal on
board the ships, of the Resident and his suite from the Resi
dency at Bushire—an operation which, but for their aid, might
have^ been attended with difficulty and danger."
The Admiral proceeded to Kharrack with the squadron, and,
during his stay there, inspected the 4 Elphinstone' and 'Tigris.'
The following order by Commodore Brucks shows the opinion
so experienced an officer as Sir Frederick Maitland, had formed
of the efficiency of these and all the ships of the Indian Navy
with which he had come into contact:—
" E. I. C. brig-of-war f Tigris,' April 5, 1839.
44 The Commodore has much gratification in publishing the
following sentiments Sir Frederick L. Maitland, the Naval
Commander-in-chief, has been pleased to express on his visiting
the 4 Elphinstone' and 6 Tigris' this day.
" The Admiral said, 'He took that opportunity of expressing
the great pleasure he had experienced in visiting the 6 Tigris'
and 4 Elphinstone,' both of which he declared to be men-of-war
creditable to any nation in the world.' His Excellency was
also pleased to say, 'He had much pleasure in bearing testi
mony to the efficiency of the officers of this squadron, as well
# The <c Bombay Courier" of the 5th of November, 1840, says:—"ThePer
sians still plumed themselves upon the victory they had won over the English m
the Bushire affair. Throughout the whole gulf, and as far as Mosul, for the Arabs
too had imbibed it, but one sentiment was entertained, and everywhere talked of,
that upon the only occasion when the British and Persians had fairly met, the
latter had been completely routed and forced to take refuge in flight. No event
of late times has done so much to lower our name and: weaken our power among
these nations as this unfortunate affair."