26.
69
During the riot, I had under my command the European and Indian Constables available at the Jail, including two European Constables and one Indian Constable. I considered it proper to reduce the gang to 120 and I added one Indian Constable to the guard.
I understood that the Jail Rule intended that three Police Boats should be attached to the Water Police doing duty at the Jail; since I have taken Charge, only two police Boats have been so attached. I sent a verbal message fourteen days ago to Inspector Da Silva of the Water Police requesting that a third Boat might be sent over as soon as possible.
I sent the message by Police Sergeant Burrow. On the first Alarm, when I, being at some distance, called out for the Superintendent's Boat to be manned, I did not specify how it was to be manned. I at that time thought that one man was sufficient.
I considered the subject of placing all the Convicts under hatches on board the Convict Hulk shortly after the alarm, but at that time decided it was best to leave them in the dining shed under a guard.
Sometime afterwards, when I arrived, I found the Boats manned and pulled by Convicts, a system that I continued, although I considered it objectionable as offering temptation to escape - the same system of Manning and working Boats by Convicts.