'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎123] (142/622)

history of the indian navy.
123
The total loss in effecting this most important conquest was
only sixteen killed and wounded, and, considering the desperate
courage subsequently displayed by these Arab tribes, in their
numerous attempts to retake Aden, it is very creditable to the
small British force that they were able to defeat over one
thousand armed warriors amply supplied with matchlocks and
guns. Of these latter, there were twenty-five in battery, of
which five were dismounted by the fire of the squadron, and
five dismounted and thrown into the sea by the sailors. There
were also eight guns not in battery. By desire of the captors,
three handsome brass cannon were set aside for presentation to
Her Majesty, and are now in the Tower ; they were probably
brought here by Soleimanthe Magnificent in 1530. The largest
measures 18| feet; the second, 17 feet, with an inscription—
" Made by Mohammed ibn Hamzah the third, which is highly
ornamented, and has an inscription, "Soleiman ibn Selim, 901"
(a.d . 1523), measures 15 feet 7 inches.
Commander Haines says in his letter to the Secretary to
Government" Captain Smith accepted my services in taking
his ship in, and, I feel proud to say, that he was pleased with
the position I gave her. I could not but admire the splendid
fire from the shipping and mortar vessel; and the behaviour of
the little 'Mahi' drew the admiration of every person. No
thing could have been more regular than the landing; the men
were steady to a degree, and they stormed the place gallantly.
But what is still more to be admired, and a greater proof of
their discipline is, that, after landing, neither male, female, nor
property was molested. The loss of the enemy has been very
severe; one hundred and thirty-nine are now said to be
missing, besides many wounded inland, and we have twenty-
five men too severely wounded to return inland, among them
one Chieftain, and Ali Salaam, a nephew of the Sultan. I have
supplied the unfortunate sufferers with food, and everything to
make them as comfortable as circumstances will admit of, and
be expected, and provisions of every kind are brought in daily from the interior.
The extreme regularity with which the troops embarked, and their patience while
cooped up in the boats for upwards of three hours, reflects the highest credit on
both men and officers. I have to thank Major Osborne, and Captains Morris and
St. John, for their unremitting exertions during the landing and throughout the
day; in fact, every officer has exerted himself to the utmost, and all I have now
to fear is for their health. Captain Willoughby, with the assistance of Lieutenant
Western and his pioneers, has completed a battery of field-pieces on a most com
manding position in a very short time. I am extremely happy to state that the
privacy of the inhabitants while at Hydroos was never invaded, nor has there
been a single complaint against any soldier, whether European or Native. I
have to express my high sense of the cordial co-operation and assistance afforded
me on every occasion by Captain Smith, R.N., and the squadron under his
command; their labours and exertions have been great and unremitting. Some
matchlocks were received from the Mahomedan priest, and forty unarmed
Bedouins were escorted to the Northern Gateway, and went into the interior on
the 20th."