'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎269] (288/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
269
monsoon, in which the sponson boats were nearly swamped. I
should have mentioned that the cutter with Connor returned to
the ship before this. A survey of the Sittang I handed in to
Captain Lynch, who forwarded it to Government, together
with a report on the river, derived from information furnished
by me. Some of the boats were nightly employed in pro
tecting Martaban, the alarm being usually given about eight
p.m., not returning to the ship till after daylight. On one
occasion the Burmese attacked in force, driving in the outpost
guard on the hill; the boats started at once in command of two
commissioned officers and two midshipmen An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. , retaking the out
post and holding it until reinforcements arrived, when the
enemy was driven back and pursued a considerable distance,
assisted by the guns of the 'Ferooz.' "
Commodore Lynch called for Lieutenant Hellard's journal
while employed on the Sittang, which, together with his chart,
was forwarded to the Supreme Government; and a report on
the navigation of the river, which was afterwards sent in, was
drawn up from notes supplied by that officer. Lieutenant
Hellard was offered surveying allowance for himself alone, or
extra batta An extra allowance of pay granted to soldiers involved in special field service or to public servants on special duty. for all engaged under his orders ; and, animated by
the praiseworthy feeling that those who shared the danger and
labour should also partake of the reward, he accepted the latter
alternative, so that all the officers and men received batta An extra allowance of pay granted to soldiers involved in special field service or to public servants on special duty. .*
*= Colonel (afterwards Sir) Archibald Bogle, Commissioner of the Tenasserim
and Mergui Provinces, wrote from Tonghoo, under date the 8th of March, 1853,
to Commodore Lynch, regarding the opening of the Sittang river by Lieutenant
Heilard and his officers and men, in the following terms:—
"I attach so much importance to this event that I have lost no time in bringing
it to the knowledge of the Most Noble the Governor-General in Council, who
will, I am sure, highly appreciate Lieutenant Hellard's enterprise. No man-of-
war's boat ever before made good its passage into the Sittang, and the dangers and
difficulties of its navigation have hitherto had the effect of closing it to commerce ;
but without a survey, without charts or pilots, the boats of the ship under your
command have found a passage into the river, and have conducted in safety a
fleet of provision-boats to the important military post of Tonghoo, and proved the
practicability and safety of a most valuable line of communication. I consider
this extremely creditable to all concerned, and I beg you will do me the favour to
intimate to Lieutenant Hellard, and the officers and seamen under his command,
the high opinion I entertain of the skill, prudence, and patient perseverance with
which this important service has been accomplished."
The Bombay Government, under date the 21st of April, 1853, thanked
Lieutenant Hellard for his services, and the Secretary to the Government of
India, under date the 6th of July, 1853, in communicating the thanks of
Government to Lieutenant Hellard for his u two charts and journals," conveyed
the approbation with which the Governor-General in Council has received his
enterprising and persevering exertions, in conjunction with other officers, and
boats crews of the ' Ferooz,' in making good an entrance into the Sittang, and
affording material aid to the column under General Steel. The Governor-
General in Council has already taken occasion to bring Lieutenant Hellard's
name under special notice of the Hon. the Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. in connection with
this valuable service on the Sittang."
Of the services of his first-lieutenant, Commodore Lynch says:—" Lieutenant
Hellard distinguished himself on every occasion by his ability as an officer, and