'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎363] (382/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY. 3()3
o'clock five heavy explosions, in different parts of the forti
fications, indicated the overwhelming nature of the attack, and
led me to suppose that the resistance hitherto offered could not
much longer continue. I was therefore anxious to have the
troops landed as expeditiously as a due regard to their security
would allow, so that a combined and simultaneous movement
by the naval and military forces might be made with the
certainty of a successful issue, and with this view passed up
the river, until close to Jaber's Fort, where the disembarkation
was effected easily, and without interruption. After the bat
teries had ceased firing artillery, a fire of musketry was opened
from them, as well as from breastworks in their vicinity, and
maintained with great spirit for some time, when storming
parties were landed from the 6 Semiramis,' ' Olive,' 4 Victoria,'
and 'Falkland' who drove before them the last of the enemy,
and took possession of their works and guns. Considering the
strength of the fortifications, both as regards position and con
struction, with a numerous garrison, and the large number of
guns which could be brought to bear on the ships, in con
sequence of their closeness to the enemy's defences, which were
likewise strengthened by breastworks occupied by large bodies
of small-arm men, whose fire at times was annoying, I am
thankful to say that the casualties sustained by the squadron
during the engagement amounted only to five killed and eighteen
wounded.
" Before concluding, I feel it to be the most pleasant part of
my duty to bring to your notice the great gallantry and cool
ness displayed by every officer and seaman under my command
during the operations so successfully carried out. The im
portant services rendered by Commander Rennie, of the
4 Ferooz,'are a further and honourable addition to an already
well-established reputation. Commander Selby, to whose local
knowledge J. am much indebted, elicited my warmest admiration
by the dashing manner in which he carried the 4 Semiramis'
into the channel leading to Mohamra, between the forts on
either bank. To the excellent way in which Commander
Grieve, of the 4 Clive,' Acting-Commander Manners, of the
' Victoria,'and Lieutenant-commanding Tronson, of the 'Falk
land/and Worsle^y, of the 6 Ajdaha,' handled their respective
ships, and to the closeness and precision of their fire, much of
the success of the day is to be attributed. Special commenda
tion is due to Commander Adams, of the ' Assaye,' for the
gallant and most efficient manner in which he seconded my
attack on the northern forts. The conduct of Lieutenant
Chitty, of the ' Berenice,' also calls for my approval, for con
ducting his vessel, under shelter of the ships of war, past the
batteries, with about fourteen hundred troops and followers on