rough and swampy ground. After batteries had been erected, a brisk cannonade was kept up against the fort, and shells were thrown without intermission. The firing was unremitting and tremendous. The fort was deemed quite impregnable by the natives, but they had soon speedy reason for entertaining a mortifying belief to the contrary; they accordingly manifested a wish to capitulate. The general offered unconditional surrender, which after an hour’s deliberation was acceded to. Shiekh Hassan Ben Ally, the chief, was sent prisoner on board one of the transports; he was the most active, the most cruel of the whole pirates, about thirty-six years of age, handsome in person, mild in demeanour, but with a look of sullen, tiger-like ferocity lurking in his restless eye.
“On our return to Ras-al-Khyma, we found the place totally in ruins; the forts and towers having been blown up by the indefatigable soldiers and seamen employed in that duty. Some inconsiderable portion of plunder had been found secreted in various places, which of course fell to the share of the men. A strong work was in a state of forwardness for such of oar troops as it might be deemed requisite and expedient to leave behind for the entire prevention of future piracies, and a check upon the Arabs in their attempts to rebuild their forts and strongholds.
“On the 3d January, we quitted the coast, and proceeded to the different harbours in the vicinity, in order to capture and destroy all the piratical vessels and small craft. This operation was carried into complete effect, and it is hoped has succeeded effectually in destroying the roots and nipping the branches of piracy for a long period to come[1].”
Captain Walpole brought home the Seringapatam, a new 46-gun frigate, loaded with the frame of another ship of the same class, and arrived in England, Oct. 16, 1820. He now commands the Ranger 28, on the West India station. His post commission bears date Dec. 7, 1819.
Agent.– J. Hinxman, Esq.
ALEXANDER MONTGOMERIE, Esq.
[Post-Captain of 1820.]
Passed his examination in Sept. 1809; and obtained the rank of lieutenant, May 4, 1810. He was made commander, June 7, 1814; appointed to the Confiance sloop, Mar. 21, 1818; removed to the Sapphire 26, at the Leeward Islands, July 13, 1820; and confirmed to that ship, as post-captain,
- ↑ United Service Journal, No. VI. p. 711 et seq.
