'PERSIAN GULF AND GULF OF OMAN. RESOURCES AND COAST DEFENCES. 1903.' [‎49r] (104/120)

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APPENDIX.
87
in the interior of Persia. The expedition was composed as
follows:—
Troops.
Naval Squadron.
Cavalry (392.)
Two batteries of artillery.
Two British infantry battalions.
Two Native infantry battalions,
and details.
Total 4,887 of all ranks and
12 guns.
Conveyed in eight transports.
Steamers “ Feroze.”
“ Semiramis.”
“ Assaye.”
“ Ajdaha.”
“ Victoria.”
Sloops “ Clive.”
“ Falkland.”
“ Berenice.”
Under the command of
Commodore Young, I.N.
The Persian force holding Mohammerah was under the
command of the Shahzada and consisted of about 13,000 men
(of which about 7,000 were regular troops).
The chief defences of Mohammerah were two batteries, one on
each side of the entrance to the Hafar Channel from the
Shatt-el-Arab (see Plate 4), together with several minor works
further up that channel on the N. side.
The large N. and S. batteries were powerful open earthworks
with casemated embrasures. The exact armament is not stated.*
The following is a brief summary of the British operations : —
24th March .—Steamers towing transports assembled after dark
at rendezvous three miles below entrance to Hafar Channel.
Batteries reconnoitred during night. Two islands (the “ Dubbees ”
no longer existing in 1903) close to W. bank of Shatt-el-
Arab, examined and found unsuitable for proposed mortar
battery.
25th March .—Raft constructed and armed with 2 8-in. and
2 5^-in. mortars. Horses and guns of artillery, portion of cavalry
and infantry transhipped into boats and small steamers in readi
ness for landing. During the night mortar raft towed by the
“Comet” into position under cover of Dubbee Island opposite
the entrance of the Hafar Channel; being unobserved, movement
not molested.
2&th March .—Mortars on raft, manned by artillery, opened fire
at dawn outhe N. and S. batteries; only the 8-in. mortars proved
effective. “ Semiramis ” (with “ Clive ” in tow) and “ Ajdaha ”
moved into W. channel to support mortar raft. On fire from
forts slackening, remainder of squadron moved up H. channel
of Shatt-el-Arab and also engaged forts. “ Semiramis,” “ Clive,”
and “ Ajdaha ” then withdrew from W. channel and joined the
other vessels in close attack on forts. Supposed position of
* The sixteen 12, 9, and 6-pr. guns and one mortar found here when the
Persians abandoned the works were probably supplemented by the field
guns of the Persian army.