PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TIT CO·882
2
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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2. My Lords desire me to request you will inform Lord Kimberley that they have fully approved of the manner in which the service has been carried out.
Sir,
3. It is requested that the original inclosures may be returned when done with.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
ROBERT HALL.
Inclosure 1 in No. 61.
"Iron Duke," at Yokohama, October 27, 1873. IN continuation of previous reports, relative to the proceedings of Her Majesty's ships "Thalia" and " Midge" in the Straits of Malacca, in checking the piratical irregularities of certain parties at Laroot and parts adjacent on the coast of the Malay Peninsula south of Penang, I have now the honour to transmit, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, Captain Woollcombe's report of proceedingą, with inclosures, giving full details of the measures adopted by him for the punishment of the Malays at Laroot for having fired on the boats of the "Midge” on the 16th September last.
2. The lawless state of affairs in the Laroot district has for some time past been a cause of great trouble and annoyance, seriously interfering with legitimate trade in the Straits of Malacca, and producing excitement and disquietude among the native populations of Penang and Singapore. I have long since foreseen that, sooner or later, it would be absolutely necessary to interfere in a decided manner as soon as a legitimate cause for action should arise. That opportunity has at length occurred. The unwarrantable attack of the armed stockade, in the Laroot river, on the boats of the "Midge" on the 16th
my cordial and entire approval of his recent proceedings, and I trust that their Lordships will concur with me in this judgment.
4. I have no doubt but that the punishment inflicted on the people at Laroot, for having fired on the British flag, will have a most salutary effect in the Straits of Malacca, and among the native populations of Penang and Singapore, &c., tending to restore confidence, and to re-establish native trade, seriously jeopardised of late by the alarms of piracy.
5. I beg to call their Lordships attention to Captain Woollcombe's commendatory report of Commander Grant, and the officers and men engaged in these affairs; and I would desire to specially recommend for consideration the names of Sub-Lieutenants William Rooke Creswell and Abraham Hamilton Lindesay, both of whom have behaved with great gallantry, and have received dangerous wounds, necessitating their being invalided and their return to England.
I have, &c. (Signed)
The Secretary of the Admiralty.
CHAS F. SHADWELL, Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-chief.
Inclosure 2 in No. 61.
"Thalia," at Penang, October 4, 1873.
Sir,
MY letter and my telegram of the 17th ultimo, will have informed you that I was on the point of leaving Singapore for Laroot to punish the offenders in that river for the attack made upon the " Midge's" boats, in which Sub-Lieutenants William R. Creswell and Abraham Lindesay were both dangerously wounded.
2. I reached an anchorage off the Laroot River about 10 P.M. on the 19th September, where I was joined by the “Midge" and the Montric's yacht; Commander Grant, with his usual forethought, having armed her with a 20-pounder Armstrong.
3. On Saturday morning, the 20th, as soon as the tide would permit the bar being crossed, the boats of this ship were taken in tow by the "Midge," as shown in the list appended, Inclosure No. 1, and entered the river, the Montrie's yacht leading.
4. The "Midge" was admirably placed about 1,800 to 2,000 yards from the stockade in a little more than her own draught of water. The boats then advanced, and when within 1,000 to 1,200 yards, they received a heavy fire from the stockade, and three large junks, as well as a rifle fire. Lieutenant Hon. Frederick C. Lascelles now took charge of
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the Marines and Reserve party, and the 20-pounder Armstrong, which had been placed on board the Montrie's steamer, and kept up a well directed fire on the junks. At 2 P.M. the firing from both the stockade and junks being very slow, the boats cast off and carried the stockade and junks in a very brilliant manner, receiving three heavy volleys as they approached. The crews of the junks, to the number of about 120, jumped over- board, one prisoner only being then taken. Nothing could exceed the steadiness of both officers and nie.
5. Having dismounted all the guns and spiked them, and thrown all their small arms into the river, I burnt the stockade and junks, and then advanced to the upper stockade, off which I anchored at 5:20 P.M., capturing a junk on the way up. I burnt this stockade before dark.
At
6. On Sunday morning all the creeks were examined, but without success. 8-30A.M. on that day the Rajah Muda's agent sent me a letter (a copy of the translation and also my reply thereto I herewith append, Inclosures Nos. 2 and 3), I was informed by him that the whole of the See Lings, to the number of between 3,000 and 4,000 men, would surrender. I found a large sampan at this stockade having seven guns, which were intended to be mounted during the night. Soon after 10 A.M. on the same day the boats were advanced, the Montrie's yacht being unable to proceed further up the river, the water being very shoal. As the head man at Laroot expressed a wish to surrender, I ordered Commander Grant to go ahead with a flag of truce and examine the town, at the same time bringing the boats to bear should any resistance or disturbance occur. Commander Grant reported the town quiet; I then landed. The wounded were sent for in order that they might be treated by Dr. Rathborne, Surgeon of the ship. Six of their worst cases were brought, and they informed me that they had many more who were being treated by their own doctors.
7. Through the head man they expressed great regret for having fired upon the "Midge's" boats, and informed me that they had their head captain of row-boats in addition to two men killed and also ten wounded by the "Midge's" boats; that they expected that that ship would attack the lower stockade alone, and to meet her they had sent 300 of their best fighting men down to man the battery and the junks; that they did not think the "Thalia" could possibly be up before the 23rd instant.
8. At the lower stockade the channel was staked and secured by an iron chain and boom; both of these obstructions were destroyed. I am unable to state what loss was sustained by the pirates, but I have no doubt they suffered heavily, as they fought their guns until we were close upon them.
9. Every officer and man did their work to my most entire satisfaction.
10. It is, however, a very pleasing duty to bring to your notice the conduct of the following officers :-
Of Commander John Grant I cannot speak in too high terms. With the gift of ubiquity his advice was always most valuable, and the tact with which he conducted all intercourse with the natives produced the best results.
Lieutenant William H. Lewin, Senior of "Thalia," took and maintained an admirable position, and his coolness was most remarkable.
Sub-Lieutenant Somerset A. Hungerford, who is lent from this ship to the "Midge," was the first man in the fort, notwithstanding his boat had taken the ground which compelled him to jump overboard immediately.
Navigating Midshipman Arthur S. Woodley, who acted as my aide-de-camp, carried a large junk singly in the "Thalia's" galley. This officer is most anxious to be made a midshipman. I can strongly recommend him as a zealous officer and a good seaman. 11. The Laroot River is now cleared, and the whole coast has been visited.
A gun- vessel shall be left on the coast to watch proceedings. The head men have entirely sur- rendered, and confess themselves perfectly beaten. I would remark that the stockades and junks fired upon me first. Soon after they had opened fire upon the boats, the Orang Rajah Montric's yacht, showing signs of inaction, notwithstanding Lieutenant the Honourable Lascelles was using every exertion to urge them (native crew) forward, Com- mander Grant left the "Midge" in charge of Lieutenant Cochran, and proceeded to direct the Montric's head men to force those under them to advance. Mr. Ellis, gunner 2nd class of the "Thalia," rendered great assistance to get the yacht into position by laying out a stern anchor from her under a very sharp fire from the stockade, during which the steamer was frequently hit.
12. On Tuesday, September 23, Commander Grant, while guarding the mouth of the River Laroot, captured a small steamer having the Rajah Muda of Perak on board. As this vessel was claimed by the Orang Rajah Montrie, I sent her to Penang for the investi- gation of the Lieutenant-Governor of that place.