First footsteps in East Africa | Page 3

while in
Lieut. Carless's drafts of the channels of the Indus, we trace those
designs, that the sword of Sir Charles Napier only was destined to

reveal."
"The ten years prior to that of 1839 were those of fitful repose, such as
generally precedes some great outbreak. The repose afforded ample
leisure for research, and the shores of the island of Socotra, with the
south coast of Arabia, were carefully delineated. Besides the excellent
maps of these regions, we are indebted to the survey for that unique
work on Oman, by the late Lieut. Wellsted of this service, and for
valuable notices from the pen of Lieut. Cruttenden. [3]
"Besides the works we have enumerated, there were others of the same
nature, but on a smaller scale, in operation at the same period around
our own coasts. The Gulf of Cambay, and the dangerous sands known
as the Molucca Banks, were explored and faithfully mapped by Captain
Richard Ethersey, assisted by Lieutenant (now Commander) Fell.
Bombay Harbour was delineated again on a grand scale by Capt. R.
Cogan, assisted by Lieut. Peters, now both dead; and the ink of the
Maldive charts had scarcely dried, when the labours of those employed
were demanded of the Indian Government by Her Majesty's authorities
at Ceylon, to undertake trigonometrical surveys of that Island, and the
dangerous and shallow gulfs on either side of the neck of sand
connecting it with India. They were the present Captains F. F. Powell,
and Richard Ethersey, in the Schooner 'Royal Tiger' and 'Shannon,'
assisted by Lieut. (now Commander) Felix Jones, and the late Lieut.
Wilmot Christopher, who fell in action before Mooltan. The first of
these officers had charge of one of the tenders under Lieut. Powell, and
the latter another under Lieut. Ethersey. The maps of the Pamban Pass
and the Straits of Manaar were by the hand of Lieut. Felix Jones, who
was the draftsman also on this survey: they speak for themselves." [4]
In 1838 Sir Charles Malcolm was succeeded by Sir Robert Oliver, an
"old officer of the old school"--a strict disciplinarian, a faithful and
honest servant of Government, but a violent, limited, and prejudiced
man. He wanted "sailors," individuals conversant with ropes and
rigging, and steeped in knowledge of shot and shakings, he loved the
"rule of thumb," he hated "literary razors," and he viewed science with
the profoundest contempt. About twenty surveys were ordered to be
discontinued as an inauguratory measure, causing the loss of many
thousand pounds, independent of such contingencies as the "Memnon."
[5] Batta was withheld from the few officers who obtained leave, and

the life of weary labour on board ship was systematically made
monotonous and uncomfortable:--in local phrase it was described as
"many stripes and no stars." Few measures were omitted to heighten
the shock of contrast. No notice was taken of papers forwarded to
Government, and the man who attempted to distinguish himself by
higher views than quarter-deck duties, found himself marked out for the
angry Commodore's red-hot displeasure. No place was allowed for
charts and plans: valuable original surveys, of which no duplicates
existed, lay tossed amongst the brick and mortar with which the Marine
Office was being rebuilt. No instruments were provided for ships, even
a barometer was not supplied in one case, although duly indented for
during five years. Whilst Sir Charles Malcolm ruled the Bombay
dockyards, the British name rose high in the Indian, African, and
Arabian seas. Each vessel had its presents-- guns, pistols, and powder,
Abbas, crimson cloth and shawls, watches, telescopes, and similar
articles--with a suitable stock of which every officer visiting the
interior on leave was supplied. An order from Sir Robert Oliver
withdrew presents as well as instruments: with them disappeared the
just idea of our faith and greatness as a nation entertained by the
maritime races, who formerly looked forward to the arrival of our
cruizers. Thus the Indian navy was crushed by neglect and routine into
a mere transport service, remarkable for little beyond constant quarrels
between sea-lieutenants and land-lieutenants, sailor- officers and
soldier-officers, their "passengers." And thus resulted that dearth of
enterprise--alluded to ex cathedra by a late President of the Royal
Geographical Society of Great Britain--which now characterises
Western India erst so celebrated for ardour in adventure.
To return to the subject of East African discovery. Commodore
Lushington and Dr. Carter met in order to concert some measures for
forwarding the plans of a Somali Expedition. It was resolved to
associate three persons, Drs. Carter and Stocks, and an officer of the
Indian navy: a vessel was also warned for service on the coast of Africa.
This took place in the beginning of 1851: presently Commodore
Lushington resigned his command, and the project fell to the ground.
The author of these pages, after his