ATTACK ON MOHAMRA. 449 Morgan, it was towed by the small river steamer Comet up the stream, and moored in a position close to the above-mentioned island. This important operation was effected during the night without its having attracted the attention of the Persians, who entertained the full con- fidence that no vessel could pass up the river before their batteries. During the same day the horses and guns of the artillery, a portion of the cavalry, and the infantry, were trans-shipped into boats and small steamers, to be in readiness for landing on the following morning. At break of day on the 26th of March, the four mortars on the raft opened their fire on both the northern and the southern Persian batteries. The range of the 5-inch mortars proved to be short, but the 8-inch shells were very efficient, bursting immediately over and inside the enemy's works ; whilst from the low position of the raft, but few of the Persian guns could be brought to bear upon the mortars. At seven o'clock the several vessels of war moved up into the positions which had been assigned to them by Commodore Young, who had suc- ceeded Commodore Ethersey in the command of the fleet. The S emir amis, having the Clive in tow, and being followed by the Ajdaha, entered the western channel in support of the mortar battery; the Feroze, the Assaye, the Victoria, and the Falkland, remaining in reserve until the fire of the two Persian forts should be lessened. This was soon effected ; on which the vessels that had been held in reserve entered the eastern channel of the river. The Feroze now opened her fire on the southern Persian fort at less than point-blank range, as she passed by it to take up her position opposite to the northern fort. The division of ships in the western channel was then brought 29
