1841.
Bengal Governmental Notifications.
549.
and there appearing even some doubt of her accomplishing the passage, I fitted shell guns in three of the captured war junks.
Captain Eyres having succeeded by great exertion in getting his vessel over the bar, I this morning moved her, Algerine, and the gun junks on the French fort, the enemy deserted the upper defense, and about 9 a. . opened the fire from the fort, which was speedily silenced; I then cleared the beach by a few well directed broadsides, and made the signal to advance. Captain Bethune immedia- tely landed on shore with the storming party and the fort was carried in the most gallant style; the whole line of defense extended about two miles from the factory, which, with the exception of the French fort, had been lately constructed in the strongest manner, has been destroyed, and communication is opened with the ships of Napier's fort. The guns destroyed are 64 in number, including four 104. inch calibre-the Dutch fort was not armed.
To that excellent and able officer captain Bethune, I fell particularly indebted, and my best thanks are also due to commanders Warren and Gifford, who assisted in the attack. This is the sixth time I have had occasion to mention the gallant conduct of commander Eyres; lieutenant Mason, commanding the Algerine, acquitted himself entirely to my satisfaction; and both captain Eyres and himself speak in the highest terms of the assistance they received from lieutenant Shute, and Mr. Dolling, mate, their seconds in command, and all the other officers and
men.
Lieutenants Haskell and Hay, senior of Cruizer, and Pylades, directed the guns in the junk with the greatest ability-captain Bethune speaks in the highest terms of lieutenants Watson, Coryton, Colinson, Morshead, Hayes, Hamilton, and Mr. Brown, master, as also lieutenant Hayes of the Bombay marines, and of all the other officers and men employed more immediately under his orders, a list of whom is annexed. The party of marines was commanded by lieutenant Urquhart, assisted by lieutenant Marriott, lieutenant Somerville, agent of trans- ports, aided with some boats of the transports. Lieutenant Gabbott, of the Madras artillery, threw shells with great effect from one of the junks, and major Pratt offered in the handsomest manner to cooperate in the attack, if required.
T. HERBERT.
(Signed)
Capt. of H. H. ship. Calliope, and senior officer present.
No. 4.
To captain sir HUMPHREY LE FLEMING SENHOUSE, kt, K. C. H., &c.
Her majesty's sloop Hyacinth, off Canton, May 26th, 1841. Sir, I have the honor to acquaint you that immediately on the receipt of your letter of the 24th instant, I weighed with the advanced squadron and ordered her majesty's sloop Nimrod to attack the Shameën fort, on the west end of the sub- urbs, supported by her majesty's sloop Pylades. Her majesty's sloop under my command being placed abreast of the English factory to silence and dislodge any troops that might be there, and also with a view of covering the landing of her majesty's 26th regiment. Her majesty's sloops Modeste, Cruizer, and Columbine, taking up a position to attack the Dutch folly fort, and to enfilade the line of bat- teries, lately thrown up in frout of the city to the eastward of that fort. On the ships taking up their position three fire vessels were sent adrift, and although the tide was running very strong by timely dispatch of boats they were enabled to clear the ships and tow three on shore and set fire to the suburbs.