In reporting his proceedings on this occasion, Captain Chads says:– “During our progress, the Satellite was on shore three times, and the Diana once, but without the slightest injury. * * * * Lieutenant Dobson rendered me every assistance, and was of great service; he was severely burnt on the 22d.”
On the 6th Oct., the Satellite, with Captain Chads on board, proceeded up the Lyne river, accompanied by the flotilla, and a military detachment under Major Thomas Evans. On the 7th, two stockades were taken possession of without loss, and seven newly constructed war-boats destroyed. On reconnoitring the fortified village of Than-ta-bain, about thirty miles distant from Rangoon, it was found to be defended by three long breast-works, with a very extensive stockade, constructed of large teak-beams; and fourteen war-boats, each mounting a gun, were anchored so as to defend the approach to it.
“Having consulted with Captain Chads,” says Major Evans, “we advanced to the assault, the steam-boat with the Satellite and mortar-vessel in tow, and the troops in their boats ready to land when ordered. In passing the breast-works, we received a smart running fire from jingals and musketry, which were returned with showers of grape from the Satellite; and ohserving the enemy evidently in confusion, I directed the troops and scaling ladders to be immediately landed, and in a few minutes every work about the place was in our possession. At six o’clock next morning-, we again moved with the tide, and in passing a narrow neck of land at the junction of two rivers, were received with a brisk discharge of musketry from a long line of breast works, and a cannonade from a very large stockade on our right. The fire of the latter was soon silenced by the well-pointed guns of the Satellite. The troops were then ordered to land, and this formidable stockade was carried by assault without a struggle. It is, without exception, the strongest work of the kind I have ever seen.”
In his official letter respecting “the brilliant and decisive attack” on Than-ta-bain, Captain Chads again acknowledged having “received great assistance from Lieutenant Dobson.”
On the 23d Nov., the Satellite dropped down to Rangoon, having been relieved at Pagoda Point by the Teigmnouth. Next day, Lieutenant Dobson received orders to take charge of and fit out the Shaw-in-shaw, a new teak-ship of between 700
