General Godwin arrived on the 3rd, and at once despatched the steamer
'Proserpine,' under the command of Captain Brooking, with Captain
Latter on board, to Rangoon, to learn if any reply had been received
from Ava to the Governor-General's letter, demanding compensation for
the outrages committed at that place. As the 'Proserpine' went up,
the Burmese fired at her from the stockades; nor was Captain Latter
able to hold any communication whatever with them. On his return,
Captain Brooking resolved to inflict a severe punishment on the
enemy, and ranging up along side the stockade which had fired at him,
he poured in a broadside, which fired a magazine and totally
destroyed the works. Coming further down, he attacked a second
stockade, which had fired at him on his upward voyage. She then
proceeded on to Maulmain to embark troops for the proposed attack on
Martaban.
Early on the morning of the 5th of April, General Godwin and Admiral
Elliot proceeded in the 'Proserpine' to reconnoitre the defences of
Martaban. The plan of attack being arranged, the 'Rattler' ran close
in, rapidly firing broadside after broadside; the 'Hermes' and
'Salamander' zealously following her example. Unfortunately the
'Hermes' grounded about 600 yards from the shore. The enemy for some
time returned the fire with much spirit; but at length when their
guns were silenced, the troops were landed from the steamer-tenders
to storm the defences. The leading column was headed by the brave
Captain Gillespie, of the 18th Royal Irish, who was the first, sword
in hand, to spring on the wall. After some opposition, the enemy
fled in every direction. The walls and defences exhibited the
terrific effect of the broadsides the steamer had poured in on them.
Martaban was thus taken, with the loss of only eight men wounded.