'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎356] (375/622)

356
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
troops a mile above the northern fort, the seamen cheering as
they passed, and the 'Ajdaha' covering the landing. The
scene at this time is admirably described by Captain Hunt of
the 78th Highlanders:—"The practice from the ships on the
enemy's works was admirable, and the effects of the fire soon
became apparent ; the embrasures and carefully rivetted
parapets rapidly losing their original shape, and the crash of
the falling date trees around affording ample proof of the storm
of shot. For about three hours the Persian artillerymen stood
manfully to their guns; but their fire then slackening, the
signal was seen flying for the infantry to move up and dis
embark. The 'Berenice' steamer, carrying the Highlanders, as
well as a company of sappers, and General Havelock and the
staff of the Second Division, led the column, her decks crowded
to the uttermost, there being barely standing room for the men
on board, and the bridge between her paddle-boxes quite as
fully occupied by their officers. The passage of a ship under
such circumstances, within 100 yards of heavily-armed batteries
was an operation attended with great anxiety, which those
alone who have been similarly situated can possibly understand.
Some of the best troops in the world were helpless for the
moment, crowded like cattle in a pen, and so massed that a
single round shot must make fearful havoc. The most provi
dential fortune attended the 4 Berenice;' though struck several
times in the hull, and with rigging cut, the decks escaped. Her
commander. Lieutenant Chitty, Indian Navy, steered the ship
himself; and, to avoid all chance of running ashore, and thereby
delaying the troops, taking her on the battery side of the first
frigate that approached (the 4 Semiramis,') and between her and
the 'Ferooz." The crews of these vessels cheered loudly as
every fresh freight of red-jackets came up, and while one broad
side redoubled its fire to prevent attention to the masses passing,
the seamen, jumping on the engaged guns, let the enemy hear,
loud above the roar of the action, their wild welcome to their
brethren of the shore."
The enemy, after being driven from their batteries, by the
overwhelming fire of the ships at such a short range, again
returned to them, and, with admirable pertinacity, opened fire
with jingalls and musketry from the batteries and some breast
works, which was replied to by the ships with grape and
canister, fired right into the embrasures. Their fire being
almost silenced, parties of seamen from the 'Semiramis,' '^ ic-
toria,' 6 Clive,' and 4 Falkland,' stormed the southern forts, and,
at the same time, a detachment from the 'Assaye' occupied,
without opposition, the northern fort, her gallant and dashing
first-lieutenant, the late Mr. Clarkson, hoisting the Union Jack,
as he had done at Bushire. The troops, meanwhile, had been
landed, and, advancing through the date groves and across t e