Page 486 - INDIANNAVYV1

454 — HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.

command of Captain Chads, in co-operating with some troops,
coninianded by Colonel Miles at Pegu, and after that date in
assisting the 'Sophie' and 'Teignmouth' in the defence of
Kemmendine :
"November 26.—At two p.m. left Rangoon with eleven row-
boats, under the immediate orders of Captain Chads, R.N., for
Pegu. At four p.m., received sailing instructions to lead next
to the boats belonging to H.M.'s ships. At half-past seven
p.m., in passing Syriam fort, enemy fired great guns and
musketry ; passed on without noticing it. At ten p.m. anchored
in a direct line across the river. Men-of-war's boats on the
starboard and larboard bows, flats, &c., with troops and artillery
in the rear, closed in by two row-gunboats.
"November 27.—At half-past three a.m., weighed and pro-
ceeded up ; men-of-war's boats ahead, flats astern, river shallow
and narrow ; two row^-boats closing in the rear. At eleven a.m.
anchored close on the starboard shore, the rear-guard some
distance astern. At three p.m. all boats arrived. At four p.m.
weighed and proceeded up, At six p.m. anchored in six feet of
water, taking up the same position as yesterday.
" November 28.—At daylight weighed and proceeded up
;
at noon came to a small village named Abo, made fast to the
shore ; river fifteen or twenty yards broad, fordable at low
water.
" November 29.—At nine p.m. proceeded up, enemy fired a
few muskets from several villages. At one p.m. arrived at
Pegu, landed the troops, and received orders to bring up
twenty men to assist in dragging forward the artillery ;
reconnoitring, returned and reported the place to be evacuated
by the enemy ; re-embarked the artillery, and anchored for
the night; river forty yards broad, and fordable at low
water.
"November 30.—At noon despatched four row-gunboats,
under the orders of Captain Chads, to reconnoitre* up the
river; embarked all the troops, having previously hoisted a
white flag in the. ancient city of Pegu ; at four p.m. recon-
noitring party returned ; proceeded down, four boats being
ordered as a rear-guard ; grounded several times during the
night.
" December 1.— At ten a.m., Commodore made signal to close
and anchor : at three p.m. weighed and proceeded down ; at
eight p.m. passed three vessels with foraging party on board ;
at nine p.m. Commodore njade signal to close and anchor.
" December 2.—At three a.m. weighed, and proceeded down
;
at daylight heard a heavy firing in the direction of Dagon
Pagoda ; at eight a.m. arrived off Rangoon, and found it
* Tliis reconnaissance was made with the object of ascertaining whether a high
rodd existed to Prome.