destroyed close to the walls of the fort, under a very heavy fire. This service was most handsomely performed, with the loss of only 1 killed and 13 wounded: among the latter was Mr. (now Captain) Peter Rainier, who had volunteered to accompany Lieutenant Dobbie.
It would have been fortunate for the British, had their operations terminated here; but, unluckily, the commodore deemed it practicable to storm the fort, and accordingly landed again for that purpose, at the head of 220 seamen and marines, with two field-pieces; the different divisions commanded by Lieutenants Dobbie, Anderson, Davies, Flint, and Collier[1]. This daring attempt was made on the 19th Mar., and ended in the discomfiture of the assailants, who were obliged to retreat with the loss of 40 men killed and wounded. The two brigs having joined in the attack, were likewise much cut up, particularly the Teignmouth, which vessel had unfortunately grounded end on to the fort.
Among the severely wounded on this occasion were Lieutenants Dobbie and Davies, the former of whom received a musket-ball in the breast, but which was happily extracted from under the shoulder bone. Captain Vashon was also wounded in a similar manner; and to his misfortune the ball could not be removed, in consequence of which his death was ultimately hastened[2].
After repairing the Ternate’s damages, Lieutenant Dobbie returned to Bombay with Captain Vashon’s despatches and the wounded men of the squadron. On his arrival he found that Vice-Admiral Rainier had promoted him, during his absence, to the rank of Commander, and appointed him pro tempore, to the Wilhelmina frigate, in which ship he continued till May 1803, when he resigned her to the late gallant Captain
- ↑ Mr. Edward Collier, acting Lieutenant of the Arrogant, but lent to the Teignmouth. He had been recently promoted from the Centurion for his great exertions during the late hurricane. His name appears among the Post-Captains of 1814.
- ↑ The fort was situated about 30 yards above high water mark; its walls were 40 feet high, and appeared well built of stone and chunam. The island of Baite at that time maintained about 2000 fighting men.
