The fleet prepared to attack Rangoon consisted of the following
ships:--
H.M. frigate 'Fox,' Commodore Lambert, 298 men, 40 guns; H.M.
steamer; 'Rattler,' Commander Mellersh, 130 men, 11 guns; H.M.
steamer 'Hermes,' Commander Fishbourne, 120 men, 6 guns; H.M. steamer
'Salamander,' Commander Ellman, 135 men, 6 guns; H.M. sloop
'Serpent,' Commander Luard, 125 men, 16 guns, and a gun-boat;
H.E.I.C. steamer 'Feroze,' Captain Lynch, 230 men, 7 guns; H.E.I.C.
steamer 'Mozuffer,' Captain Hewitt, 230 men, 7 guns; H.E.I.C. steamer
'Zenobia,' Captain Ball, 200 men, 6 guns; H.E.I.C. steamer
'Sesostris,' Commander Campbell, 135 men, 4 guns; H.E.I.C. steamer
'Medusa,' Commander Frazer, 60 men, 5 guns; H.E.I.C. steamer
'Berenice,' Commander Nisbett, 97 men, 1 gun; H.E.I.C. steamer
'Tenasserim,' Commander Dicey, 80 men, 6 guns; H.E.I.C. steamer
'Pluto,' Commander Burback, 86 men, 7 guns; H.E.I.C. steamer
'Phlegethon,' Commander Neblett, 86 men, 6 guns; H.E.I.C. steamer
'Proserpine,' Commander Brooking, 86 men, 6 guns; H.E.I.C. steamer
'Enterprise,' Commander Fryer, 70 men, 2 guns; H.E.I.C. steamer 'Fire
Queen,' Commander Boon, 70 men, 2 guns.
Making twelve steamers belonging to the H.E.I. Company, besides Her
Majesty's ships of war. On board of these were 5,767 troops of all
arms. This fine fleet was the largest and most effective that had
ever been collected in the Indian seas. On the 10th the squadron
proceeded up the river, and anchored in the evening, a short distance
below Rangoon. The next day, Easter Sunday, was spent in
reconnoitering and selecting the point of attack. The Admiral
selected a position just above the great centre shore, and beyond the
range of the Burmese guns, which he considered would be favourable
for attacking and destroying the numerous stockades on the river.
Early in the morning, the tide favouring, the 'Feroze,' 'Mozuffer,'
and 'Sesostris' leading the van, were the first to receive and return
the enemy's fire. Each vessel, as the depth of water admitted, took
up a position between the stockades. At ten A.M. a tremendous
explosion of a magazine, which destroyed a stockade mounting nine
18-pounders, showed the effect the British fire had produced. Taking
advantage of the confusion and dismay created by this event, the
'Fox' ranged close in-shore, pouring in tremendous broadsides, which
crushed and destroyed the stockades, while her boats landed a party
of seamen and marines, and a company of the 18th Royal Irish, who
together making a gallant rush, drove back the Burmese, and stormed,
carried, and destroyed two powerful stockades on the Dalla side.
While the 'Fox' was engaged in the manner described, H.M.S.
'Serpent,' and the H.E.I.C. steamer 'Phlegethon,' proceeded higher up
the river for the purpose of capturing the Burmese war-boats, and of
preventing the enemy from floating down any fire-ships, or otherwise
annoying the fleet from that quarter. The place they were ordered to
attack was the strong position of Remmendine; and most thoroughly did
Commander Luard and Captain Neblett perform the duty assigned to
them. Passing along the whole front of the enemy's stockades, the
ships poured in their broadsides, receiving a hot fire in return,
which however did little damage. Then anchoring opposite Remmendine,
they effectually blockaded the war-boats, and next sending their own
boats on shore, they stormed and carried a strong and important
stockade, an officer and seven men being wounded in the attack.
While the 'Serpent' and 'Phlegethon' were thus actively engaged, the
'Rattler' and 'Tenasserim' passing slowly along the line of
stockades, poured in a destructive fire from their heavy guns,
completely silencing them and dispersing the enemy. As soon as this
was done their boats were sent on shore, and the stockades were set
on fire and totally destroyed. It was now evening, but after the sun
had set and far into the night, the cannonade from the ships
continued; and along the whole shore, from Rangoon to Remmendine, far
up the river, the lurid glare of the burning stockades was seen
illuming the darkness, while now and then the curved track of the
shells showed where still some of the enemy were making a stand.
During the day the British loss was trifling; but Captain Armstrong,
of H.M. 57th, was killed by a round shot on board the 'Sesostris.'
The following day, the 12th, the troops landed, and some of the
stockades were taken by storm, when several brave and valuable
officers lost their lives. During the 13th every effort was made to
bring forward the heavy guns and ammunition from the ships, when
Lieut. Dorville, of H.M.S. 'Fox,' with a division of seamen under
him, particularly distinguished himself by his exertions.
On the morning of the 14th the grand attack was made; the great
Pagoda was stormed, and after some desperate fighting, Rangoon fell
into the hands of the British. During these operations, which it is
out of our province to describe, the fleet were usefully employed in
throwing shot and shell into the town, and among the ranks of the
enemy whenever opportunity occurred, creating an important diversion
as they were preparing to encounter the British advancing columns.
The following small naval brigade was the most actively
employed:--'Rattler, Senior Lieut. J. W. Dorville, commanding; Mr. T.
S. Gooch, mate (second in command); Mr. O. J. Llewellyn, acting
assistant-surgeon; 30 able seamen, 10 lent from 'Hastings.'
'Hermes,' Mr. E. A. Tweeddale, mate; and 40 seamen. 'Salamander,'
Mr. W. H. Nurse, acting mate; and 30 seamen.