Page 478 - INDIANNAVYV1

446 HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
Coniinodore Hayes, havin;^ determined on a second attack upon
the island of Raniree, a small force* was embarked in the flotilla,
which weighed early in the morning of the 17th of April, and.
being favoured with a fair breeze, anchored on the night of the
18th, within three miles of Cheduba roads. The squadron, having
taken in a supply of water at Low island, proceeded to the
entrance of Ramree creek, and, on the following morning, the
troops were landed. The numerous rows of stakes the enemy had
driven across the creek, presented so formidable and effectual an
obstacle that the seamen were occupied two hours in clearing a
passage for the small boats. General McBeanand the Commodore
marched towards the town of Ramree with the advance, under
the command of Captain Shelton, of the 44th Regiment— an
oflScer who attained an unenviable notoriety as second in com-
mand of the Army under General Elphinstone in Afifghanistan
in 1841-42—and the town was occupied without any opposi-
tion.f Eight companies of the 40th Native Infantry, with a
detachment of artillery from Cheduba, under the command of
Major Murray, were left in the island, and General McBean and
Commodore Hayes then proceeded upon other service. Of the
—
latter officer the General writes : " To Commodore Hayes I am
most indebted for his hearty co-operation upon all occasions,
and feel the I'ullest confidence from his able assistance."
On the 28th of April, the military and naval chiefs arrived at
the entrance of the Sandoway River, up which the boats, with
troops on board, rowed about eight miles, Commodore Hayes
leading, until, at dusk, they came upon a stockaded entrenchment;
the enemy had also constructed breastworks in commanding
points, and had staked the river below the entrenchment, but
left a space sufficently wide for the boats to pass. The troops
were landed for the night, but were re-embarked early the next
morning, and the whole force was in progress up the river at
four o'clock. No opposition was made to their passage, and, soon
after seven, the stockades at Sandoway were in their pos-
session. After destroying the works the troops were re-
embarked, and the boats returned to the ships at the entrance of
:—
the river. General McBean, in concluding his despatch, adds "I
* Four 6-pounders, two 5j-inch howitzers, and two S^-incli mortars; four
companies each of H.M's. 44th and 54th Regiments ; and eight companies each
of the 40th Bengal Native Infantry and 16th Madras Native Infantry.
t " The road," says the General in his despatch, " had to appearance lately
been made, and was commanded in every part by fortified heights and well-con-
structed entrenchments. The creek is practicable for boats to the town at high
water, distance from its entrance about seven miles—by land, from the great
entrenchment, considerably less. The enemy, to protect him against a landing
by the creek, had thrown up a long line of entrenchments upon the bank, con-
structed with great judgment, and made particularly strong by the numerous
traverses placed in all directions. The defences of the town consist in a stockade
of considerable extent and some strength, situated about the centre of it, this
being protected by several forts upon hills, and one of them completely com-
manding the road by which you approach."