'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎107] (126/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
107
as all those of the Indian Navy he had had the pleasure of
serving with.'
"The Commodore feels confident this compliment Irom a
naval officer of Sir Frederick Maitland's high name and cha
racter, will be fully appreciated, and the Commodore's pledge
to him, that all felt it and would be emulous to preserve the
high opinion Sir Frederick had formed of them, will, the Com
modore feels convinced, be fully redeemed by the officers of the
squadron.
" G. B. Bruges, Commodore, i.M.,
"Commanding Indian Navy squadron, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ."
On the 16th of April, the Admiral, with the squadron, and
accompanied by the Eesident, proceeded off Bushire, where a
Persian officer of high rank was said to have arrived with full
powers to settle the late differences. 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. came on
board the ' Wellesley,' when the Admiral, finding, in reply to
his question, that he had not come to apologize, refused to
listen to him; a dicussion of some hours then took place with
the Resident, but ended unsatisfactorily. Captain Hennell
thereupon returned to Kharrack, and the Admiral, accompanied
by Commodore Bracks, in the ' Elphinstone,' proceeded to
Bahrein. After communicating with the Uttobee rulers of the
island, Sir Frederick proceeded to Lingah, and thence to Ras-
ul-Kbymah, where the chiefs assembled on board the 'Welles-
ley,' and the Admiral and Commodore impressed them with the
necessity of keeping the peace and respecting British interests.
It was the first time a ship of the line, or the flag of a British
admiral, had been seen in the Gulf, and the spectacle was cal
culated to impress the chiefs and people with a sense of British
power. From Ras-ul-Khymah the Admiral proceeded to Bom-
bav, but, before leaving the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , requested Commodore
Bracks to publish the following order to the squadron under
his command:—
" E. I. 0. sloop-of-war ' Elphinstone,' off Ras-ul-Ehymah, May 1, 1839.
" The Commodore has much gratification in publishing the
thanks of His Excellency Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick L. Mait-
land, K.C.B., and Naval Commander-in-chief in India, on his
leaving the Gulf, to the commanders and officers of this
squadron.
" His Excellency requested the Commodore on parting to
accept his best thanks, and convey them in his name to all the
commanders and officers of the Indian Navy squadron in the
Gulf, to express the Admiral's satisfaction and pleasure at
their conduct during the term he has been with them, and to
say he should ever be happy to serve with them again at
any time.
" G. B. Bruges, Commodore, I.N.,
" Commanding squadron in the Gulf of Persia."