Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v4p2.djvu/217

Coe, to Captain Chads, dated Mar. 29th, that officer says:– “I have to acknowledge the receipt of your communications of the 14th and 17th Jan. last, and feel much gratified by the continued and successful exertions of the officers, seamen, and marines, under your command, to whom I am again to request you will convey my warmest thanks, more particularly to Lieutenant Charles Keele, of the Arachne.”

On the 5th Feb., an expedition was sent to open a passage up the Lyne river; the military part under Lieutenant Colonel Godwin, and the naval, consisting of the Satellite armed transport, the Diana steam-vessel, the Hon. Company’s cruiser Prince of Wales, fifteen row-gun-boats, seven boats belonging to H.M. squadron, and several flats and canoes, under the command of Captain Chads. On the 6th, at five p.m., the Satellite, towed by the Diana, advanced upon Than-ta-bain, a strong and imposing position, upon the point of a peninsula, measuring three-quarters of a mile on its water front, built of teak-timber, very high, strongly stockaded, and abattised down to the water’s edge, but entirely open in the rear. The boats, in three divisions, were led by Lieutenants Keele, Kellett, and Fraser. The result is thus officially stated by Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin, who was with Captain Chads on board the armed transport:–

“The Satellite laid her broadside on so admirably, as to enfilade the whole of the principal works. At half-musket shot we were received with thirty-six pieces of artillery, independently of jingals. This was forcibly replied to by the guns of the Satellite, assisted by Captain Graham of the Bengal rocket troop, who by his most excellent practice, from the steam-boat, surprised them with an arm of defence that will prove a most formidable weapon. I soon perceived the work all around was easily assailable, and in ten minutes after the signal was made the place was stormed. The resistance within was trifling, although the place was garrisoned by two thousand fighting men. The enemy suffered severely, and were followed for a mile and a half. I have again the pleasure to mention the name of Lieutenant Keele, of H.M. sloop Arachne, who with Lieutenant Hall of the Alligator, were the first to enter the enemy’s position, and their conduct was most conspicuous: these were followed by Captain O’Reilly, with the grenadiers of H.M. 41st regiment. Our loss, I am most happy to say, is comparatively nothing; and this is accounted for by the boats containing the troops being kept under the