On the 19th May the _Arrogant_ and the _Hecla_, two steamers--the first
a screw, commanded by Captain Yelverton, and the second by Captain
Hall--had been detached from the fleet, and employed for a considerable
time in reconnoitring the forts of the enemy about Hango Bay.
Propulsion by means of a screw was at this time a novelty, the
steamships of war being generally large paddle boats and sailing ships
combined, a state of transition between the frigate of Nelson's day and
the modern steamship.
The two captains, hearing that some ships lay off the town of Eckness,
some way up a narrow river, determined to cut them out. They boldly
entered the river, and on the evening of the 19th came to an anchor.
A boat from one of the men-of-war was sent on ahead, but before she had
got 800 yards from the ship, a hot fire was opened on her from behind a
sandbank in a thickly-wooded place. At the same time some round shot
struck the _Hecla_. Both ships instantly beat to quarters, and, casting
loose their guns, poured showers of shot and shell into the wood, from
whence they speedily dislodged the enemy. They then shifted their
berth, and were not further molested during the night. A bright
look-out was kept, however, to prevent surprise.
At two a.m. both ships weighed, the _Hecla_ leading, and the crews being
at their quarters. They slowly and carefully felt their way along the
intricate navigation of the river, till they suddenly found themselves
within range of the guns of a battery posted on a promontory before
them, which was crowded with Russian soldiers--stout-looking fellows,
habited in long grey coats and spiked helmets of steel, which glittered
brightly in the sun; and the bluejackets now for the first time saw the
enemy.
The _Hecla_ immediately opened fire, which the battery returned with
spirit; and the _Arrogant_ now coming up, let fly a whole broadside
among the soldiers, just as some horse artillery had made their
appearance, and were unlimbering preparatory to engaging. As the smoke
cleared off, the troop of artillery were seen scampering away at full
speed. A heavy fire of musketry now burst forth from a wood on one
side, and continued for some time without intermission, the bullets
falling thick on board both ships.
While this work was going forward, the _Arrogant_ ran aground within
twenty yards of the battery, but most fortunately in a position which
allowed her guns full play on it. At this close range the ship's guns
were more than a match for those in the fort, and so smartly were they
worked that in a short time they dismounted all the guns of the enemy
and drove the gunners from the fort.
The crew were now able to turn their attention to the position their
ship was in, and turning to with a will, unmolested by the enemy, they
succeeded in getting afloat again. As they passed close to the fort,
they witnessed the state of complete ruin which they had so speedily
caused,--guns dismounted, carriages blown to fragments, and
accoutrements and helmets scattered around.
As they proceeded up the river the town of Eckness now opened ahead of
the two steamers, and before the town lay the vessels which they wished
to carry off. The water now shoaled, and the _Arrogant_ could proceed
no higher. Just then artillery opened on them. The _Arrogant_
accordingly anchored, swung broadside to the shore, and engaged the
batteries; while the _Hecla_, throwing shells at the enemy, steamed up
to Eckness, and running alongside a barque, the only one of the vessels
afloat, to the astonishment and dismay of the inhabitants took her in
tow, and carried her off in triumph. The two ships then returned down
the river with their prize.