Page 160 - The Pirate Coast (By Sir Charles Belgrave)

a number of transports. In addition to these, were the Sultan’s
fleet, and his land forces. Sir William Grant Kicr, a distinguished
soldier who had seen much service in Europe and India, was in
command of the expedition. He was a humane man, and his
moderation when he finally concluded a treaty with the pirate
chiefs of the coast, was considered too lenient by some of the
authorities of the East India Company in Bombay. There is a
suggestion, in the book on General Perronct Thompson, by G.
Johnson, that the naval and military commanders did not see eye
to eye at the time when the treaty was made, which is not an un­
usual situation on occasions such as this.
On November 28th and 29th, preparations were made for the
landing, and officers from the Liverpool reconnoitred the coast,
looking for a suitable place on which to disembark the troops.
The other ships had gone to Kishni to take on stores of wood and
water, for the wells in the neighbourhood of Ras al Khaima were
brackish. Shortly after midnight on November 30th, a man in
the look-out in one of the ships which were anchored some
distance from the town, sighted several vessels belonging to, or
in league with, the pirates, stealing along the coast in an attempt
to enter the harbour. It was a fine clear night, and the moon was
shining brightly. The Liverpool was of too heavy draught to
come closer in, but within half an hour, the Eden was under way
and near enough to the enemy to open fire, having previously
hoisted her boats out. One of the largest vessels, a baggalow,
was driven close to the shore, and the Eden anchored as near to
her as she could, in only a little more water than she drew.
The boats, carrying every available officer and man, pulled
towards the pirate ship. As they got near, the sailors gave three
cheers, preparatory to boarding her. They were close to the
ship, in a minute they would be on her deck. Suddenly, there
was a tremendous explosion which echoed in the mountains,
followed by a long, hollow sound, which was carried over the
still water, and the vessel burst into flames.
The pirates had laid a train to the powder magazine, calculating
that, when the ship blew up, the sailors would be on board. It
was well timed, but the sailors’ lives were saved by what seemed
to be an Act of Providence. As the boats went into action, t’\ • c
had been an unexpected delay. The tampion of one of the guns
became jammed, and the advance of the boats was held up for a
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