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HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY. 305

able ; the garrison, about four hundred in number, were driven
out, and, not being able to run the gauntlet across the isthmus,
were compelled to decamp towards the south-east point, and swim
across to the main, by which many were drowned. At ten
a.m., possession was taken, and the British Union displayed on
the flagstaff; the guns were then spiked and thrown clown, and
five mines were sprung, wliich, with tiie assistance of a rope,
completed the destruction of this stronghold ; and the " Pro-
tector," so formidable at sunrise, was before noon a confused
mass of rubbish." While exploding one of the mines, Lieu-
tenant John H. Wilson of the ' Benares ' and one seaman were
seriously burnt.*

* The following account is from an ofTicov who was present throughout (he
—
operations: "No sooner had we anchored, but the signal was displayed on
board H.M.'s ship ' Topaze,' to 'prepare for battle ' and ' to take up proper
positions for bombarding the North Fort.' The frigate moved into 20 feet
water ; the ' Antelope ' and ' Benares ' were laying within her, in little more
than their draught, at the distance of about 600 or 700 yards from tlie North
Fort, and the Thames mortar boat was placed close in shore, opposite the to\m,
between the two forts ; and everything was ready for opening a heavy fire on the
following morning, and expectation was high as to the effect it would produce.
At eight a.m. on the 4th of December, the business was begun by a broadside
from the frigate, and followed by the same from the two cruisers. The fire was
at first smartly returned by the enemy from all the cannon in their five batteries,
but with little etl'ect, and shortly after began to slacken. The effect of our guns
was good, considering the distance ; for in the course of an hour the north
battery was silenced, and a party of Arabs, who were stationed therein (finding
our firo particularly directed to that part of the defences), quitted their post, and
made a precipitate retreat across the isthmus, towards the Mecca gate of the
town. The fight had now become a chase, and I observed one of tlieni knocked
down by a cannon shot, which overtook him in the race. The North Fort was
now thought to be entirely abandoned by the enemy, and the ' Antelope ' made
a telegraphic signal to that effect. In the meantime the Thames ' mortar-boat
'
threw her 13-iiich shell into the town, to the great dismay and consternation of
the terrified inhabitants, who had never believed things would be brought to such
a pass. At ten a.m. the ' Antelope ' got under weigh, and worked up in a
beautiful style {under double-reefed topsails and courses), to attack the South
Fort, but in tacking under the lee of this fort, her keel touclied, and, missing
stays, she lay aground at the distance of 500 yards, but in an excellent position
for cannonading it. The fort immediately opened its guns on the ' Antelope,' but
was soon silenced by the superior fire of that cruiser, whose precision aud execu-
tion was particularly noticed. The frigate had still continued a heavy aud well-
directed cannonade on the north battery, and the shot which missed it ])a6sed
over into the town ; the effect was considerable and manifest, yet it was to be
regretted that her draught of water prevented her getting close enough to make
a pi'actieable brcacli. By noon the ' JJsnares ' had also got up to the southward,
and taken up a position for supporting the 'Antelojie,' and covering the bomb
vessel from the fire of the centre Ijattery, when a flag of truce came off aud a
general truce was displayed by the squadron. The 'Topaze ' iu>w made telegraph
signal ; ' Great many killed on shore ; they want eight days' truce ; I have given
tliem one hour and a-half.' At two p.m., finding our proi)osals not answered,
the firing was recommenced on the North Fort by tlio frigate, and on the town
by the two cruisers and the mortar boat, and was continued during the afternoon.
At a quarter past two p.m. the boats of the squadron, manned and armed with a
party of marines and artillery under the counnand of Lieutenants Moriarty,
Wriglit, and Atkinson, of the 'Topaze,' Lieutenants Wilson and .McDowall, i.f
the ' Uenares ' aud ' Anteloi)e,' aud Lieutenant Jacob of the Artillery, having
been assembled round the frigate by signal, pushed olT with tho view of taking
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