Page 464 - INDIANNAVYV1

432 HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY. —

credit. To Captain Hardy, who commanded the naval part of
the force, and who was engaged with the gunboats during my
absence endeavouring to remove the stakes and force a passage
of the creek to the enemy's breastwork, and whose officers and
seamen exerted themselves to their utmost, my sincere and
grateful thanks are due, as well as for his cordial co-operation
and assistance on every occasion, wherever the public service
required it." In this affair Mr. Graves, master's mate of the
' Hastings,' and five men were killed, and twent3^-two wounded,*
of whom some died.
Captain Hardy says, in his report to Commodore Hayes :
"The 'Henry Meriton ' has been detained to convey to you
and General Morrison, the result of the operations against
Ramree, which, I regret to say, have failed, from causes which
Lieutenant-Colonel Hampton will more properly explain. I
am happy to say the Lieutenant-Colonel speaks in high terms
of the good conduct and bravery of our seamen and Marines
;
and I beg to recommend all the officers under my command to
the notice of Government as deserving every praise for their
exertion and valour on ever}'- occasion. Previous to this
attack with the military, we had, with a party of seamen and
Marines, under Lieutenant Wyndham, several skirmishes with
the enemy, and had succeeded in defeating them in two sepa-
rate attacks, and in taking and burning two of their villages,
strongly defended by five hundred men sent from Ramree for
the purpose. I reconnoitred the creek under a smart fire, and
gave the Lieutenant-Colonel the result of all my observations,
and also every professional information connected with the
service. Enclosed is a return of our killed and wounded ; our
boats suffered from the enemy's shot. I further beg to acquaint
you, that the ships and vessels under ray orders at Cheduba,
have been actively employed on the enemy's coasts and pos-
sessions since I took command.
" The cutter ' Matchless ' is now going into Chebuda Creek,
to undergo repairs and caulking, after which I intend examin-
ing Chandwah, and some of the creeks on the eastern side of
Ramree Channel, that are said to lead into the L-rawaddy,
unless called up to Arracan. By this opportunity I have the
pleasure to forward to you a plan of Ramree creek, channel,
and harbour, as surveyed by my orders by Lieutenants Wynd-
ham and Harrison, assisted by Mr. Carless,t master's mate of
this ship, and beg to recommend those officers to your con-
sideration, as deserving notice."
Throughout the Burmese War a flotilla of gunboats was
* Among the casualties were two soldiers of H.M's. 54tli Regiment, who had
volunteered their services, together witli five comrades embarked, for the benefit
of their health, on board the Hon. Company's armed cutter ' Matchless,' then
commanded by the famous Lieutenant Waghorn.
t Tlie late distinguished surveyor, Commodore Carless, I.N.