'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎403] (422/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
403
nometrical Survey." In 1861, Lieutenant Heathcote was em
ployed by the Admiralty to compile a chart of the Bay of
Bengal, showing the winds and currents during the south-west
inonsoon, worked out from a large number of logs of old India-
men • and the chart was sent to the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , and appears,
together with the accompanying memoir, in the "Journal of
the Royal Geographical Society" for 1862. This was a
pendant to Lieutenant Taylor's chart of the currents of the
Arabian Sea during the same season, compiled from a com
parison of upwards of a hundred logs of vessels of the Indian
Navy, which was highly commended by Commodore Lushing-
ton. and was published, with a memoir, in 1853. Lieutenant
Fergusson, draughtsman at Bombay in succession to Captain
Montriou, " also prepared three sets of charts, each set contain
ing a chart for every month in the year, showing the winds and
currents of the Red Sea, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and Indian and China
Seas, which were published in 1856." In 1858, Lieutenant
M. A. Sweny, assisted by Lieutenant H. Jackson, continued the
survey of the Coromandel Coast, from Point Calimere to Pulicat,*
and the chart and memoir were sent in to Government in Novem
ber, 1860, when, with the exception of the coast about the mouths
of the Mahaimddy, which was executed in 1869-70, the work
was completed which Captain Fell had done so much to
further, when, in 1851, he compiled the chart, in three
sheets, of the Coromandel Coast from Pulicat to Bim-
lipatam.
An important episode in the history of Indian Navy Surveys,
is that relating to the labours of Lieutenant (now Captain)
C. G. Constable,t and his assistant, Lieutenant Stiffe, in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . From 1851 to 1856, the former officer had been
* See Captain Constable's Memorandum of tlie 3rd of Marcli, 1862.
f Lieutenant Constable entered the Service in 1839, and from 1844, wlien
the surveys were recommenced, bad been continuously employed in this duty. He
assisted Captain Sanders in the years 1844-45 in his survey of the south-east coast
of Arabia, and in the latter part of 1849 and early in the following year, while
on furlough, proceeded to Egypt, where he drew a map for Sir James Outram,
who was at that time employed on secret service for the Government, compiling
a memoir on the resources, defences, and military capabilities of that country.
For his work, which was voluntarily undertaken, and without remuneration, he
received the thanks of the Supreme Grovernment and of the Government of
Bombay, besides being honoured with the friendship and esteem of that great
man, Sir James Outram, who wrote as follows regarding him to Commodore
Lushington:—" Baroda, August 15th, 1850. My -dear Commodore, I have
been directed by Government to convey its thanks to Lieutenant Constable for
the valuable aid he gave me in Egypt in surveying and mapping. A very
valuable specimen of his handiwork being lodged with the Government, which
I wish you could see, to satisfy you as to his superior qualifications as a surveyor,
for I think I am bound to bring Constable's kind assistance to me to your notice,
as well as to that of the Government, in the hope that you may feel inclined to
advance so valuable an officer in the branch of the Service which he is so peculiarly
calculated for. In this hope I take the liberty to bring Lieutenant Constable's
Egyptian services to your notice, and I shall be glad indeed, if by doing so, I
DD 2