'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎220] (239/622)

220
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
expired. Lieutenant Christopher, who, at the time of his
death, was a senior lieutenant, his commission bearing date
July. 1839, was an officer of great enterprise and rare promise.
He had graduated as a surveyor under Captain Moresby, and,
while employed at the Maldive Islands, showed that he was
possessed of scientific attainments of a high order. After his
return from the East Coast of Africa, where he discovered the
Haines River, he was appointed Assistant-Superintendent of the
Indus flotilla, under Commander F. T. Powell, and had only
returned to his duties in May, 1848, after a brief stay at Bom
bay, where he had lost his wife. No man was confessedly
more competent for the duty, or to an equal extent commanded
the confidence of the public. Lieutenant Christopher was
intimately acquainted with the navigation of the rivers of the
Punjaub, having, in 1847, ascended the Indus, Sutlej, and
Chenaub, in the steamer 'Meanee,' and the results of his inves
tigations were published by the Bombay Geographical Society
shortly before his death,* while his report to the Government
* See two papers in Yol. YIII. of the cc Transactions of theBombay Geographical
Society." The first is a " Report of an Experimental Yoyage up the Indus and
Sutlej, made by the ' Meanee,' steam-tender to the pennant-ship 'Mootnee,' with
the ' Ravee,' iron flat, in tow, having sixteen hundred maunds of merchandise
on board; with Diary." Lieutenant Christopher left Sukkur on the 19th of
June, 1847, the ' Meanee' having three months' stores, and drawing two feet
nine inches aft, with the flat lashed alongside. On the 9th of July he left the
Chenaub and entered the Sutlej, " whose channel at its junction is 150 yards
broad and 12 feet deep ; current three miles an hour. The 4 Ravee's' breadth is
800 to 1000 yards ; current four miles an hour." On the 13th the ' Meanee
was dashed on a bank by an eddy, and being struck by some timber, began to
fill. Lieutenant Christopher secured her to the bank, and having repaired
damages, proceeded after a detention of nine hours. On the 16th of August the
'Meanee' was swerved on to the bank by the current, when the port-wheel was
bent a good deal, and six flats were split. On the 18th of August he arrived at
Ferozepore, having left the 'Ravee' at Pank Puttun, lo5 miles down the river.
The second paper is his "Journal of the Ascent of the River Chenaub, date
Yizerabad, 1st of October, 1847. On the requisition of the Resident at Lahore,
Lieutenant Christopher quitted Buckree wood-station, situated at the connuence
of the Chenaub and Sutlej, on the 8th of September, to ascend the Ravee to
Lahore. On the following day he arrived at Mooltan bunder, where he receive
a visit from the JNaib, or Dewan, Moolraj, who, he notes in his Journal, tiree
times asked him if more steamers were coming up, and appeared anxious on
the subject. Moolraj presented him with 125 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. ,^ which he returned, u
on the Dewan refusing to receive it, gave a portion to his servants and place ^ e
balance to the credit of Oovernment. On the 11th he entered the Ravee Jiiver,
and the ' Meanee,' carried by a cross-current, struck the bank and lost seve ^
floats. Having repaired damages he proceeded. During the trip he irequen y
had nuzzurs, or gifts, proffered for his acceptance, amounting in aJl to a ou
1000 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. , besides horses and other presents, but always refused to acce P
them. On the 21st of September, he secured at Ramnuggur Ohat, whence n
proceeded to Lahore, where he was invited by Mr. John Lawrence ( n ® w ,
Lawrence), the Resident, to attend Durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). . He says :—"I was presen e w -
the usual provision money, namely, 250 Nanakshai rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. , s ^ eetnie 1 a - S '
The Resident told me I could not object, as it was customary. From ^ 118 ^
as at Mooltan, presents were given to the servants, and the remainder wi
paid into the treasury, as I may be ordered to carry it to its accoun .
Durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). were restrained from visiting the steamer by understanding