'Memorandum' [‎48v] (4/6)

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vessel should carry me to Baghdad, for difficulties are less likely to be raised
if the Resident is on board. 1 expect to reach Bombay early in Septem icr,
and it is said that the new “ Comet ” will he ready by August. If a telegram
were sent to India on the subject, the completion of the vessel by the time
named might be ensured. . „ j i. -u
I would also suggest that the manner of disposal of the old steamer be
settled beforehand, so that it may be got rid of as soon as possible after the
arrival of the new " Comet.” It is desirable to avoid the appearance even of
any design to get an extra vessel in the Tigris, a design of which the Turks
will suspect us if there is much delay in removing the old steamer.
6. Other matters which, I think, deserve serious attention are, the arma
ment of the new steamer, the qualifications of the officers, and the composition
of the crew. # . , . . .
An armed despatch boat is maintained at Baghdad, not only in the interests
of British trade and to uphold British influence, but also to safeguard the
lives of the Christian population, European and Oriental, of that city. The
value of such a vessel to British commerce is shown by the attack on the
mail steamer “ Khalifa,” an outrage which would scarcely have been per
petrated had not the patrol of the Tigris by the “ Comet ” been allowed to
fall into disuse. The situation of Baghdad makes it evident that in the event
of a fanatical outbreak no extraneous assistance can arrive in time to be of
anv use. The European colony and the local Christians must depend upon
their own resources, to which an armed British ship is, it is haidly necessary
to say, a most important addition.
It is evident, therefore, that the duties which the “ Comet ” is called upon
to perform are of a special character, and, consequently, the vessel requires a
special organization. Its duties are, in fact, analagous to those entrusted to
the Eoyai Navy, and are wholly different from those ordinarily imposed on
the Indian Marine.
The armament of the “ Comet ” ought to be thoroughly effective, not only
that the ship may be able to do good service in an emergency, but also
because the more efficient the “ Comet ” is known and seen to be the less
likely is it that any emergency will arise. On the details of what is requisite
in this respect my opinion is not worth much. It has been decided, at my
request, to furnish the magazine with an adequate supply of Henry-Martinis
and revolvers, but I have not heard what has been settled as to the guns.
I should like to have one Gatling gun, and the others should, I think, be
light breech-loaders, say 20-pounders, not having a very long range, but able
to throw shells.
7. It is of no use, however, to provide effective guns and arms of precision
unless the crew are able to use them, and the crew will not be able to use
them unless they have officers who can teach them. This raises the question
of the qualifications of the officers and the composition of the crew. In
former days the “Comet” had a crew of 38 Europeans, besides Natives.
Its officers belonged to the Indian Navy. They understood the management
of a vessel of war, and were accustomed to political work. The Indian
Marine has been constituted on different lines, and its members, except those
who happen to be ex-naval officers, do not know how to work a ship’s guns
or how to drill a crew. Lately, I had the advantage of making a voyage in
the Indian Government steamer “ Amberwitch.” The four junior officers
were, I doubt not, excellent seamen, but they had all been trained in merchant
vessels, and not one of them would have been of any use for my work. In
saying this, I do not refer only to ability to manage an armed vessel; in
patrolling the Tigris the officers of the “ Comet ” must necessarily come in
frequent contact with Arab Sheikhs and Ottoman officials, and it is essential
that the officers who have to deal with such persons should possess special
tact and discretion. My opinion, therefore, is that the officers for the
“ Comet” should be drawn from the Boyal Navy, and not from the Indian
Marine. I would suggest an application to the Admiralty for the loan for
a limited period, say for three or five years, of two qualified officers to serve
as “ Commander ” and “ Second in command.” If the experiment answers,
permanent arrangements might be made hereafter, while, if it fails, no great
harm will have been done.
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