Page 518 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

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474
BENIYAS.
piracy on the part of the Beniyas, not only upon Native boats hm
likewise those under British colours. ’ Ut
They openly asserted to their captives that they were determined to
leave oft’ all trade, and commence piracy; that their dwellings, con-
structed of sticks and cadjan mats, could be moved into the interior at
will, and thus placed, with themselves, out of the power of the English.
The extent of their success of course depending upon despatch,^their
fleets cruised for a length of time on the Persian Coast, in the general
track of the Gulf trade, committing the most daring depredations,
attended with the greatest cruelty, involving in some cases the murder
of the whole of the crews of the boats that fell into their hands, The
most speedy and ample retribution was therefore imperatively necessary,
to deter the other tribes from following the example, and thus rendering
unsafe the commerce between this Gulf and the Indian seas.
All the available vessels of war were immediately despatched on a
cruise, to intercept the piratical fleets. One only, however, had the
good fortune to fall in with them, and the following is a detailed ac­
count of the action which ensued, in the words of Captain Sawyer,
her commanding officer :—
“ At daylight of the 16th, observed three Buggalows, one Buteel, and
three Buggarahs, to the NW., standing SW. Turned the hands out,
and made all possible sail to come up. At 6 a. m. got them broad off
the lee bow, and found we gained upon them. Beat to action, and pre­
pared to engage. At 7 o’clock fired the larboard bow gun, and hoisted our
colours. Discovered the headmost Buggalow to be completely crowded
with men, and having in tow a large one. She fired a gun, hoisted a red
flag, and dipped it three times, apparently in contempt and defiance.
The whole then closed, and formed, and fired a shot, which fell rather
short. The leading Buggalow immediately returned it, and the shot
was seen to take the water about midway. The whole then struck
their colours, and one of the Buggarahs lowered her sail, and pulled
towards us, evidently with the intention of attracting our attention. On
minutely observing her, found she was full of men. There was now
no doubt of this being the piratical fleet belonging to Aboothabee, and
the Arab pilot confidently assured us they were, On closing, he re-
cognised the vessels, and declared the leading one contained Shaikh
Sultan bin Shakboot. On finding we were gaining, he cast off the tow,
and they lowered their sails, and closed within pistol-shot, with the
other boats formed on their beam for battle. We immediately stood
between them, having just room to do so without touching, having the I
Shaikh’s Buggalow on the starboard, and the tow on the larboar si e.
poured into each a broadside, round and
In passing between them we
The crew of the Shaikh’s vessel cheered,
! grape, the guns nearly touching.

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