'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎221] (240/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
221
on the practicability of transporting guns and stores, as well as
troops, by the Indus and Chenaub within one and a half miles
of Mooltan, was of paramount importance when the rebellion of
Moolraj necessitated the siege of that renowned stronghold.
Subsequently he took the 6 Conqueror,' steamer, forty miles
above Kalabagh, and thus triumphed over the old prejudices
against the possibility of navigating the upper rivers. His loss
was. sincerely deplored by his numerous friends, and particularly
bv the Service, of which he was so bright an ornament; while
his official superior wrote to the Government, 46 acknowledging
his gallant services, and lamenting his early death." With
Lieutenant Christopher the tale of the distinguished officers
of the Indian Navy who had died during the year 1848 was
complete.
After a sanguinary fight on the 12th of September, the siege
of Mooltan was raised, chiefly owing to the defection of Rajah
Shere Singh and his army, on the 14th of September, General
Whish, as well as the senior officers, and Major Napier (now
Lord Napier of Magdala) being of opinion that its successful
conduct was no longer practicable.
General Whish was not in a position to resume the siege
until the 21st of December, when, reinforcements having ar
rived from the Bombay 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. , under Brigadier the Hon.
H. Dundas, C.B. (the late Lord Melville) he had under his com
mand a regular army, exclusive of sick, of four hundred and
thirty-six officers, two hundred and thirty-seven native officers,
and fourteen thousand nine hundred and seventy-five men, with
ninety-seven guns, of which thirty-seven were siege ordnance;
that of Moolraj being about twelve thousand, with fifty-four
guns and five mortars. Accompanying the Bombay column
was a brigade of seamen from the Indian Navy, which had been
fitted out and despatched by Commodore Hawkins, within
thirty hours of the receipt of orders, a remarkable instance of
the zeal and smartness that characterised this officer. The
detachment, which was placed under the command of Com
mander F. T. Powell, Superintendent of the Indus flotilla, who
accompanied it to Mooltan, consisted of about one hundred
would come up the Ravee next season and be close to the walls. They all
appeared desirous of accompanying me over to see her." On the 28th, Lieu
tenant Christopher proceeded on to Yizerabad, and continuing, secured at
Delawe for the night. On the following day he steamed abreast of the town of
Jellalpur, and as further progress was impossible, and the river was falling,
returned to Bagur ferry. Here he hired horses and went by land to the fort of
Akmur. He fixes the highest .navigable point at the ferry of Ghol, six miles
below this fort, and twelve from Jamu, the former capital of Maharajah Gholab
Singh. "I had hoped," he says, "the steamer would have been visible from its
towers." He commenced the descent on the 1st of October, having made the
first ascent of the Chenaub, from its junction with the Sutlej to Vizerabad, a
distance of 315 miles, in 113 hours' steaming, having an average current of 2f
miles to contend with.