'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎151] (170/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
151
24-pounders, while a strong fort,* armed with twenty-one guns,
at the mouth of the eastern entrance of the Woosung river,
completed the sea defences, making a total of one hundred
and seventy-five guns, which were all placed injudicious posi
tions.
On the 14th of June, the military and naval commanders-
in-chief made a close reconnaissance of these works in the
Company's steamer ' Medusa,' which acquired the name of '' the
Cornwallis' child," as she always accompanied the flag-ship as
tender throughout the succeeding operations ; and her gallant
commander, Lieutenant H. H. Hewett, won the admiration of
every officer and man of the fleet for his and dashing
seamanlike qualities.t As no spot appeared available where
the troops could be landed, except under the protection of the
guns of the fleet. Commanders Kellett and Collin son, assisted
by the masters of the ships-of-war, sounded and buoyed the
channel during the nights, and the 'Medusa,' supported by
guard-boats, was then advanced as near the batteries as was
possible, without exposing her to destruction, for the purpose of
preventing the Chinese from removing the buoys. In this she
was successful, and, as the Admiral said in his despatch,
" by the vigilance of Lieutenant Hewett, none of them were
disturbed."
The 'Sesostris' returned from Chusan on the 15th of June,
just in time to participate in the ensuing operations. The
wind being adverse for the ships taking up their assigned posi
tions under sail, the Admiral, at daybreak on the following
morning, the state of the tide and weather being favourable for
the purpose, caused the steam-ships to be lashed alongside the
sailing-vessels, and, at six a.m. of the 16th of June, the whole
moved to the attack on Woosung in the following order:—The
leading ship ' Blonde,'towed by the ' Tenasserimthe flag
ship ' Cornwallis,' towed by the ' Sesostris ;' the ' Modeste,'
towed by the 'Nemesis;' the 'Columbine,' towed by the
' Phlegethonthe ' Clio,' towed by the ' Pluto;' the ' Algerine'
to proceed as close as possible under sail, the ' Medusa' being
reserved to meet any unexpected contingency. The'Blonde'
and ' Cornwallis,' says the Admiral, in his despatch, " were
directed to anchor against the heaviest batteries, at the entrance
on the western side, and, when placed, the sloops were to
proceed higher up under cover of their fire, to attack those
# The distance between this fort on the east side and the main battery on the
west line, was about a mile, and the channel running in a curved direction between
them on the west side, was not more than 320 yards in width.
f It would appear as if these qualities were characteristic of the family, as the
British Navy does not possess a finer seaman or more popular officer than his
nephew, Commodore Sir William Hewett, while his brother, Mr. Prescott Hewett,
F R.S., President of the Eoyal College of Surgeons, is equally famous in his
profession.