'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎142] (161/622)

142
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
liope,' commanding the advanced squadron, to which the ; Ata-
lanta' was attached, in his despatch describing the storming of
the French fort on the 26th of May, makes special mention of
Lieutenant Grieve and Mr. Midshipman An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. Eden of the latter ship.
Captain Warren, of the 6 Hyacinth/ also says in his despatch to
Sir H. Senhouse, " I cannot conclude without expressing my
approbation of the steadiness of Commander Rogers, of the
Indian Navy, in conducting the 'Atalanta' to her station."
Again, in a despatch of the 2nd of June, he says:—"By the
indefatigable attention of Commander Rogers, of the Hon.
Company's steam vessel 'Atalanta,' who, for three days, was
almost in constant motion, all the transports and ships of war
were assembled, excepting two of the former which grounded."
The operations at Canton were completely successful, and the
forts, mounting forty-nine guns, were captured with the loss of
fifteen killed and one hundred and twelve w T ounded.
On the 24th of August the 6 Atalanta' left China with Sir
Gordon Bremer, and arrived at Bombay on the 26th of Sep
tember. Commander Rogers, who was suffering from ill-health,
had arrived at the Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. shortly before, and, on the occa
sion of his being placed in orders on the 21st of September, to
proceed to Europe for the benefit of his health, the following
notification was issued from Bombay Castle:—"The Hon. the
Governor in Council regrets the necessity which has compelled
Commander Rogers' departure from China at a juncture of such
importance, and desires to take the occasion of recording his
sense of the distinguished services of this officer, while in com
mand of the Hon. Company's steam sloop-of-war 'Atalanta,'
daring the recent operations in China. These services, which
have been reported in terms of marked approbation by Her
Majesty's Chief Superintendent, the Hon. the Governor in
Council will have much satisfaction in bringing to the notice
of the Hon. Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. ." The Court, on his arrival in
England, presented Commander T. E. Rogers with a sword of
the value of one hundred guineas in acknowledgment of his
services, and appointed him to the lucrative post of Master-
Attendant at Calcutta.
Pecuniary rewards were also granted to those who had par
ticipated in what may be called the first phase of the China
War. " The Queen," so ran the notification of the Home
Government, "as a mark of the high sense Her Majesty enter
tains of the gallant behaviour of the officers and men," directed
that a portion of the sum of money received from the Chinese
authorities at Canton, under the convention concluded by
Captain Elliot, should be paid, as batta An extra allowance of pay granted to soldiers involved in special field service or to public servants on special duty. , for twelve or six
months, according to length of service, to the Military and
Naval forces of the Queen and Company, engaged at Canton,
Chusan, and elsewhere in China, up to the end of June, 1841.