PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TLT17C.O.882
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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opened fire, but unfortunately, directly after the firing commenced, the native pilot dropped the tiller and went into the hold; the schooner flew up into the wind and grounded on a mud bank. I, therefore, returned to her in my boat, and after a great deal of trouble and laying out her anchor, succeeded in getting afloat.
9. During the time she was aground a smart fire of rifles was kept up by Sub- Lieutenant Abraham Hamilton Lindesay and Sub-Lieutenant William Rooke Cresswell (belonging to Her Majesty's ship "Thalia," lent to do special duty) and two marines, the scamen also firing, whenever they had a spare moment, from their duties in getting the boat off. I also used rockets to check their advance, which finally caused them to retreat and take shelter under the stockade, who also fired on me; the fighting lasted for about an hour, the firing from the row-boats being well directed, chiefly muskets and with occasional rounds of grape from the guns, repeatedly hitting our boats, and I have great regret in reporting that Sub-Lieutenant A. H. Lindesay and Sub-Lieutenant W. R. Cresswell of "Thalia were both dangerously wounded.
10. I have requested the Senior Naval officer to move the Commander-in-Chief to bring under the most favourable notice of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty the great zeal and gallantry displayed by these two officers.
11. Sub-Lieutenant Abraham Lindesay was on the sick list at the time from bad feet, but was so very anxious to be employed on boat service that I consented to allow him to go; although badly wounded he did not give in until unable to move.
12. Sub-Lieutenant William Rooke Cresswell also afforded me every possible assis- tance; and he, although badly wounded, did not leave the deck until we were out of the river, being very energetic in getting the boat afloat.
13. They are both very zealous officers in the performance of their duties, and the loss of their valuable services is much to be regretted.
14. The men worked hard and quickly, which enabled me to get the boat afloat
although the tide was falling, and they are deserving of great praise.
15. The row-boats having taken shelter under the stockade, it was impossible for me ~to attempt to do any more with the force I then had, so I returned to the ship, where I
arrived at 7 P.M.
16. It being neap tides and not water enough to take the "Midge" over the bar for the next day or two, I decided on going back to Penang to endeavour to procure a steam-launch (which for this kind of service is invaluable) as these row-boats have at least 20 oars aside, and pull very fast; they also have fighting men independant of the oarsmen. 17. I am of opinion that they suffered a good deal from our rifles, as several oars were disabled when they retreated.
18. It is my intention, as soon as I can cross the bar in the "Midge," to proceed up the river and destroy the stockade for having fired on me.
19. I have often been up to this river before, but never saw a row-boat until this time.
20. I beg to attach the surgeon's report of the wounded in this affair.
21. Under the strong recommendation of the surgeon of this ship, and Colonial surgeon Anderson of this Settlement, I have landed the wounded officers for medical treatment.
I have, &c.
The Hon the Lieutenant-Governor,
(Signed)
JOHN F. G. GRANT, Commander.
Sir,
61
No. 44.
Colonial Office to Admiralty.
Downing Street, November 1, 1873. WITH reference to my letter dated the 18th of September, I transmit to you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of a despatch respecting the attack on the boats of the "Midge" in the Laroot River.*
"I tin, &c. (Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
No. 45.
Governor Sir H. St. George Ord to the Earl of Kimberley.—(Received November 4.) (No. 280.) My Lord,
I HAVE the honour to inform your Lordship that, on the 17th instant,† I sent a telegraphic despatch to your Lordship in the following words :-
Government House, Singapore, September 20, 1873.
Midge's' boats searching for pirates. Laroot attacked by piratical boats and fired on by stockade. Sub-Lieutenants William Cresswell and Abraham Lindemay dangerously wounded. Commander Grant unhurt. 'Thalia' leaves for Laroot at day- light to-morrow."
Sir,
I have, &c. (Signed) H. ST. GEORGE ORD.
No. 46.
Admiralty to Colonial Office.
Admiralty, November 6, 1873. WITH reference to my letter of the 26th September, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit herewith, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, copy of a letter from Captain Woollcombe of Her Majesty's ship "Thalia," dated the 17th September, reporting his intended proceedings in consequence of the piratical attack on a boat of Her Majesty's ship "Midge," at Laroot; also referring to the state of affairs in Sumatra.
Sir,
I am, &c.
(Signed)
ROBERT HALL.
Inclosure in No. 46.
Penang.
Inclosure 2 in No. 43.
RETURN of Wounded during a Piratical attack on the Boats of Her Majesty's ship "Midge," in the Laroot River, on September 16, 1873.
Rank.
Nature.of Wound.
Sub-Lieutenant.. Gun-shot
Name.
Wm. Rooke Creswell
Abraham Lindemay
Ditto..
Ditto..
(Signed)
"Midge," Penang, September 17, 1873.
Remarks.
Ball entered behind hip-bone. It has not been ascertained as yet whether the ball is lodged or not.
Ball apparently struck the lower edge of first rib, and penetrating the muscles of left side of chest, camo out in the arm-pit.
Both wounds are dangerous.
JAMES SIMONS, Surgeon.
•
"Thetis," Singapore, September 17, 1873, I BEG to report, for the information of their. Lordships, that I received, at 4 P.M. this day, a telegram through his Excellency Sir Harry Ord, stating as follows:--
"Anson to Birch.
"Penung, Beptember 17, 1873. 'Midge's' gig attacked by piratical boats at Lardot, and fired on by stockades. Cresswell and Lindesay dangerously wounded. Grant not hit. Inform Woollcombe. *Midge' leaves again to-morrow to destroy stockades."
In addition to this, disturbances are likely to occur at Penang (the origin of which has been explained in my last letter of the 6th instant). It is, therefore, my intention to proceed at daylight to-morrow (18th instant) to investigate the whole affair, and, if possible, bring the offenders to justice.
2. The affairs in Sumatra are at present quiet. The Dutch are still blockading the An English steamer reports having seen ten of their ships of war at Acheen Head on the 13th instant.
coast.
The Secretary of the Admiralty.
• No. 48.
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1
I have, &c. (Signed) H. D. WOOLLCOMBE,
Captain and Senior Officer, Maladda Straits.
† No. 29.
* No. 34.
R