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HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY. 477
four eightoen-gun ships already mentioned, which were added
to the Service between the years 1824-27, a iine ten-giiii brioj
of 255 tons, called the ' Euphrates,' was launched in Bombay
dockyard, on the 30th of June, 1828.
Oil the 22nd of September, 1825, the Hon. Company's
sloop-of-war, 'Amherst,' eighteen guns, and brig ' Palinin-us,'
eight guns, proceeded to Mandavie, accompanied by four tran-
sports taken up to convej'' troops for the suppression of the
predatory bands of Meyanas in Cutch, and on the borders of
Guzerat. The "Cutch Field Force," as the division was
designated, numbered seven thousand men of all arms, includ-
ing lI.M.'s Gth Regiment, the whole being under the command
of Brigadier M. Napier of that Regiment. Trouble was appre-
hended with the Scinde princes, and hence the strength of the
force, but the demonstration was sufficient to avert a collision,
and the only losses experienced by the Expedition were due to
an outbreak of cholera.
During the year 1826 a flotilla of gunboats was maintained
on the coasts of Arracan and Tennasserim, under the connnand
of Lieutenant J. H. Rowband, who was first stationed at
Rangoon until its evacuation by the British troops, after pay-
ment of the second instalment of the indemnity, in the terms
of the treaty. This flotilla was divided into two divisions,
respectively commanded by Lieutenants C. Sharp and A. H.
Nott.* The former officer, witli the first division, which was
stationed on the Tennasserim coast, was actively employed on
the Salweiu, protecting the villages on the Moulmein, or Britisii,
side, from the attacks of bands of Dacoits acting in conjunc-
tion with a rebel chief, Oozenah by name, whose stockade was
situated inland. Lieutenant Sharp then proceeded to Tavoy
and Mergui, and was engaged in making a cursory survey of
the coast as far as the St. Martin's River. Lieutenant Sharp,
who was authorised to proceed by land to Siam. and exph)re
the intervening country, surveyed the St. Martin's liiver
for a distance of about fifty miles, but, being miabh- to obtain
guides, was forced to return without accomplishing his self-
imposed task. Dm-ing this service, this energetic young ollieer
made a rough survey of many hundreds of mik's, taking sound-
ings, bearings, and latitudes, which was all the nn-ans at his
disposal permitted, and a copy of this survey, with remarks,
* These two officers, with Capdiin G-. Robinson, who served throui;Iiout the
war as midshipmim and lieuteniint under the orders of Conunodore Haves, in
the 'Vestal,' ' Research,' and ' Jlastin^js,' are tlic onk three surviving,' ollicera
of tlie Bombay Marine wlio pari ieipated in the nurmeso War. Cn))lnin Sliiirp
retired from tlie service in July, 1831), witli aeoniniander's pension, and proeceded
to New Zealand, wliere lie served the Government for seventeen years, in tho
several capacities of sub-treasurer, jjostinasler of a district, harbour-master, col-
lector of customs and emigration otticer, and finally retired in IHIiti on a pension.
Of Captains Nott and Robiudon we shall have occasion to speak again.