Page 295 - INDIANNAVYV1

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NA^^. 2G3

Penaiig Government, in wliicli vessel he performed the exploit
already detailed in treating of the events of that year.
In January, 180(3, Captain Deane returned to Bombay, and
was appointed to the command of the Hon. Company's ship
' Mercury,' which was employed in the conveyance of despatches
and protection of convoys, to the Persian Gulf and Red Sea,
where he succeeded in recovering two dhows laden with very
valuable merchandize from Surat, which had been seized by the
Sheikh of Hodeida, and carried into that port, where every
means was adopted, by dismantling them, taking away the rudders,
and guarding the craft with a strong force, to prevent their being
retaken ; notwithstanding which, Captain Deane succeeded in
cutting them out, and delivered them up to the merchant owners
of Mocha, free of all expense, for which he received the appro-
bation of Captain Money, the Superintendent of Marine, and
the tlianks of the Governor of Bombay. In 1801) he was trans-
ferred to the command of the ' Benares,' and, in the following
year, proceeded in the 'Malabar,' as senior officer of the Bombay
Marine, on the Expedition against Mauritius. On tlie reduction
of that island, he was ordered with des})atches to Calcutta,
where he was specially selected for the command of the Hon.
Company's ship ' Mornington,' which conveyed the Governor-
General, Lord Minto, to ]\Iadras ; and from thence proceeded,
under his lordship's immediate orders, on the Expedition against
Java. For his conduct during that expedition he received the
thanks, not only of Commodore Hayes, but the special acknow-
ledgments of the Governor-General. On the fall of Java,
Captain Deane conveyed Mr. Archibald Seton to Prince of
Wales' Island, to take charge of the Government,* and ])vo-
ceeding thence to Calcutta, he was transferred to the command
of the 'Malabar,' and sailed with despatches for Java. When
passing Saugor, the ' Malabar' was boarded by an officer from
the Indiaman, 'Princess Charlotte of Wales,' conveying troops
to Java, who informed him that the crew of the ship were in a
state of mutiny, and that the commanding officer had been
obliged to send back to Calcutta fifty-one men of the l)engal
Artillery; knowing that they were much wanted at Java, Cap-
tain Deane immediately made sail after the vessel conveying
them to shore, and brought her to after tiring several shots,
* On quitting Prince of Wales' Island, Mr. Seton addressed the following
—
letter to C.iptam Deane: "A period of tvvelveniontlis has just expired since 1
first liad the pleasure of being introduced to jour personal aequaiiifanec, during
which time various circumstances have occurred by whieli I have been enabled to
estimate its value, and I can truly say I estimate it highly, and that I hardly
know, after the experience of two voyages, whicli to admire most, your gentle-
manly kindness as a liost, your humane and considerate attention to yoin* ship's
company, or your vigilance, professional intelligence, and sj)irit as a navigator,
exploring your way tlu'ough a passage extremely intricate, and as yet but imper-
fectly known. Acccjit my sinccrest thanks for ycnir kindness, and my wannest
wishes for your health, liaj)pincss, and prosperity."