'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎185] (204/622)

CHAPTER IV.
1846—1849.
The 4 Elphinstone' in New Zealand—Loss of the 4 Cleopatra'—Increase of the
Indian Navy in Ships and Officers, and Changes in its Constitution—Deaths of
Captains Sanders, Pepper, Koss, and Carless—Death of Sir Robert Oliver-
Review of his Character and Public Career—Surveys during the Administra
tion of Sir Robert Oliver—Temporary Appointment of Captain Hawkins as
Superintendent—Services and Death of Lieutenant Christopher—The Indian
Naval Brigade before Mooltan—Appointment of Commodore Lushington—
Death of Captain Hawkins, and Notice of his Services.
IN 1845-46, the Hon. Company's sloop-of-war 6 Elphinstone,'
eighteen guns, Commander J. A Young,* was actively en
gaged in the military operations then in progress in New
Zealand, and participated in the capture of Ruapekapeka, the
pah, or stronghold, of the famous Maori chief, Kawiti. The
'Elphinstone' sailed from Bombay on the 19th of August,
1845, with Major (the late Sir) William Robe, appointed
Governor of South Australia; and, on her arrival at Adelaide,
she embarked Captain (afterwards Sir) George Grey, who was
appointed by Lord Stanley—the late Earl Derby—then at the
head of the Colonial Office, Governor of New Zealand, in place
of Captain Fitzroy, R.N., who was recalled. In passing through
Bass' Straits, the 4 Elphinstone,' which was deeply laden with
ammunition, encountered a tremendous gale of wind, but the
practised seaman in command brought his ship in safety to
Auckland. Here the Governor was sworn in, and, immediately,
proceeded in the 4 Elphinstone' to the Bay of Islands, where a
strong force, under command of Colonel Despard, 99th Regi
ment, was collected to chastise the chiefs Heki and Kawiti,
who had hitherto defeated all attempts to reduce them.
The 4 Elphinstone' arrived at the Bay on the 22nd of Novem-
* Commander James A. Young, who was appointed from the ^esostris' to
the command of the ' Elphinstone,' was an elder brother of Commander John
Wellington Young, who received the distinction of the Bath for his services in
the Persian War of 1856-57, and was at this time in command of the { Akbar,' to
which he had been promoted from the 4 Atalanta,' where he was succeeded by
Lieutenant A. H. G-ordon, commanding the ' Euphrates.' Commander J. A.
Young, on assuming command of the ' Elphinstone/ was succeeded in charge of
the ' Sesostris' by Commander J. Erushard.