'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎171] (190/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAYY.
171
In 1843, Commodore Brucks presented a Memorial to the
Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. , praying that increased honours and emolu
ments might be conferred on the Service, but, though the
Directors were, doubtless, well disposed towards their ill-
requited, but long-suffering, Naval Service, the Court, the
Admiralty, and 64 the Authorities " generally, utterly ignored
it, and, as the Indian Navy boasted no friends in high places, or
possessed any back-stairs influence, the reception of the Memorial
was similar to that which had befallen one presented, in 1823,
by Commodore Sir John Hayes—that is to say, its prayer was
not granted. The officers of the Royal Navy, for their conduct
during the China War, received promotion throughout all ranks,
and a liberal dispensation of the Bath, such as the irreverent
have, in later times, dubbed 64 a shower bath," but the only
reward vouchsafed the Indian Navy, beyond the repeated
thanks of the gallant old Commander-in-chief, Sir William
Parker—and, perhaps, after all, this acknowledgment is, and
should be, the most valued by military and naval men—the
only reward, we say, was the honour of knighthood conferred
by Her Majesty upon Captain Oliver, their Superintendent,
who, "rose up," as the saying is. Sir Robert Oliver, Knight!
As Voltaire would have said, this treatment of an ancient and
honourable Service, which had always confessedly done its
duty, must have had for its object, " pourencourager les autres"
This advancement to a dignity highly appreciated, and much
sought after, by civic dignitaries, who regard the honour as a
suitable reward for having entertained royalty, was conferred
upon Captain Oliver—as we gather from a notification published
by the Bombay Government after the death of the gallant officer
— 44 expressly in acknowledgment of the zeal and ability with
which he had exerted himself to further Her Majesty's service
in relation to the Expedition sent to the China Seas."
We have already mentioned that, in 1838-39, at the time of
the invasion of Afghanistan, a flotilla, for the transport of
troops and materiel, was established in Scinde, with head
quarters at Kotree, having for its Superintendent and Assistant-
officers of tlie Indian Navy who held commissions and joined the Service under a
" covenant" that, subject to the rules of seniority, they were entitled to receive
commands as they became vacant, had just grounds of complaint when, after
struggling on for six years as midshipmen An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. on a monthly pittance of 50 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. ,
and a further indefinite period as mates on 100 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. , and as lieutenants on 145
rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. a month, they were denied the commands to which they were justly
entitled. On this point, the cc Bombay Times," of May, 1849, on the occasion of
Mr. Acting-Master Kingcombe, of the ' Indus' flotilla, assuming command of
the 1 Medusa,' which he had before held, observed: £< During his former com
mand, in the time of Sir R. Oliver, a considerable noise was made, and we think
with great justice, that an acting-master should hold charge of a steam-vessel on
a salary of 250 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. a month, while there were many unemployed lieutenants
enjoying the magnificent allowance of 145 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. ."