Captain Hawkins, H.M.S. 'Agincourt;' Lieut. Hambly, H.M.S. 'Dædalus;'
Lieut. Dyer, H.M.S. 'Vestal;' Lieut. Kennedy, H.M.S. 'Agincourt;'
Lieut. Mansell, H.M.S. 'Agincourt;' 8 sergeants, 8 corporals, 3
fifers, 178 privates.
Total number of seamen, 344; marines, 202.
"Her Majesty's Steam-vessel 'Vixen,'
Malludu Bay, August 20, 1845.
"Sir,
"I have to report the proceedings of the expedition you did me the
honour to place under my command.
"Your Excellency's flag having been flying on board the 'Vixen,' you
are aware of its progress to the anchorage at the head of the Malludu
Bay; I commence, therefore, the details from that period:--
"The force, consisting of 530 seamen and marines (the details of
which I annex), conveyed in 24 boats, of which 9 were gun-boats, left
the 'Vixen' at 3 o'clock P.M. on the 18th inst., and, after some
little difficulty in hitting on the channel, was anchored off the
mouth of the Songybuyes a little after sunset. Here we were joined
by a boat from the 'Pluto,' carrying the 'Agincourt's' field-piece.
The tide serving, about 11 A.M. we weighed, and, passing the bar,
anchored within it. At daylight on the 19th we proceeded up the
river in two divisions. After advancing about two miles, I was
informed by the Brunè pilots that we were nearing the town. I,
therefore, went ahead with Captain Lyster to reconnoitre. On coming
to an abrupt turn in the river, about three miles higher, we found
ourselves suddenly in front of the position, which consisted of two
stockaded forts, of eight and three guns each, commanding the reach.
About 200 yards below the forts was a boom across the river,
apparently well constructed. The forts appeared to us to stand on a
tongue of land, from which we were separated by the river, which at
that point divided into two branches, and the pilots declared such to
be the case; the one turning to the right, we observed, was still
further defended by a floating battery. There appeared, therefore,
to be no means of carrying the position but by forcing the boom.
"On rejoining the force, arrangements were made for the gun-boats to
advance to the boom, to cover the party appointed to cut through it,
the remainder of the force to hold itself in readiness to act when
ordered. We had approached the boom to within 100 yards, when a
flag-of-truce was observed to be coming towards us. Conceiving the
object of the enemy was merely to gain time, I sent back a message,
that unless Sheriff Houseman came to me in half an hour, I should
open fire. This being conveyed to the fort, the flag returned with
an offer to admit me with two boats, that I might visit the Sheriff.
I declined, and the flag retired. The moment it was clear of the
line of fire, the three-gun battery opened, and the cannonade became
general on both sides.
"The boom was composed of three large-sized trees, each supporting a
chain-cable, equal to 10 or 12 inches, firmly bolted and secured
around the trunk of a tree on each bank. A cut in the right bank
allowed a canoe to pass, but was impassable to any of our boats. One
hour nearly elapsed before we could in any way remove the obstacle,
during which time the fire of the enemy was well sustained, all the
guns being laid for the boom. I need hardly mention it was briskly
returned from our side, both from guns and small-arms; and some
rockets, well thrown by a party which had been landed on the right
bank, appeared to produce considerable effect.
"As soon as the passage was open for the smaller boats they passed
through rapidly, and embarked the marines from the large boats across
the boom: ultimately the whole force passed through. The enemy
immediately quitted their defences, and fled in every direction. The
marines and small-arm men having cleared the town, the former were
formed as a covering party, and parties of seamen were pushed up both
banks of the river, but met with no opposition; at the same time
preparations were made for spiking the guns and destroying the
stockades and town; in a short time these were completed and the
whole in flames, as well as three large prahus and several smaller
ones.
"Being anxious to save the tide, and conceiving that the object
contemplated by your Excellency was accomplished, I ordered the force
to be re-embarked, and proceeded down the river to the 'Vixen.' When
your Excellency considers the strength of the enemy's position, and
the obvious state of preparation in which we found him, you will be
prepared to learn that the service has not been performed without
considerable loss. I regret very much to state it at six killed and
15 wounded. The loss on the part of the enemy was unquestionably
very great, but the surrounding jungle afforded the enemy the means
of carrying off their dead, according to their custom in these cases;
nevertheless, some of those left on the field we recognised as
persons of considerable influence.
"Whilst I record my admiration of the gallantry and steadiness of the
whole force under a galling fire, sustained for a long period, I must
particularly mention Captain Lyster, who directed his attention to
the boom, and by whose personal exertions that obstacle was overcome.
"Mr. Gibbard, mate of Her Majesty's ship 'Wolverine,' was, I grieve
to say, mortally wounded by an early shot whilst gallantly working at
the boom with an axe.
"I beg leave to point out to your Excellency the conduct of Mr.
Williamson, Malay interpreter to Mr. Brooke; he was with me during
the attack, and was exposed to the whole of the fire.
"I have the honour, &c.,
(Signed) "CHARLES TALBOT.
"His Excellency Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, C.B.,
Commander-in-Chief."
In a political point of view, the destruction of Malludu may appear
of little consequence, but it was of considerable importance, as a
severe blow struck to piracy in the Eastern Seas, and as affording a
wholesome lesson to other pirate chiefs of the fate awaiting them
should they persevere in their malpractices. The battle was also a
very desperate and hard-fought one; and had not the British, with
determined gallantry, forced their way through the boom in front of
the fort they would have been compelled to make a disastrous retreat.
As all fought with equal bravery, I have thought it best to give a
list of those engaged in the attack. Captain Talbot, too, had a
narrow escape; for had he accepted the pirates' invitation to pass
within the boom, there can be no doubt that he and all with him would
have been destroyed.