Invasion of Java (1811): Difference between revisions

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Royal Navy ships continued to patrol off the coast, occasionally making raids on targets of opportunity. On 4 September two French 40-gun frigates, the [[French frigate Méduse (1810)|''Méduse'']] and the [[French frigate Nymphe (1811)|''Nymphe'']] attempted to escape from [[Surabaya]]. They were pursued by the 36-gun {{HMS|Bucephalus|1808|6}} and the 18-gun {{HMS|Barracouta|1807|6}}, until ''Barracouta'' lost contact.<ref name="James35">{{cite book |last=James|title=The Naval History of Great Britain|volume=6|page=35}}</ref><ref name="Woodman109">{{cite book |last=Woodman|title=The Victory of Seapower|page=109}}</ref> ''Bucephalus'' pursued them alone until 12 September, when the French frigates came about and attempted to overhaul her. ''Bucephalus''{{'}}s commander, Captain Charles Pelly, turned about and tried to lead the pursuing French over shoals, but seeing the danger, they hauled off and abandoned the chase, returning to Europe.<ref name="James36">{{cite book |last=James|title=The Naval History of Great Britain|volume=6|page=36}}</ref><ref name="Woodman110">{{cite book |last=Woodman|title=The Victory of Seapower|page=110}}</ref>

On 31 August a force from the frigates {{HMS|Hussar|1807|6}}, {{HMS|Phaeton|1782|6}} and {{HMS|Sir Francis Drake|1805|6}}, and the sloop {{HMS|Dasher|1797|6}} captured the fort and town of [[Sumenep]], on [[Madura Island]] in the face of a large Dutch defending force.<ref name="Woodman110"/> The rest of Madura and several surrounding islands placed themselves under the British soon afterwards.<ref name="James38">{{cite book |last=James|title=The Naval History of Great Britain|volume=6|page=38}}</ref> Suspecting JanssenJanssens to be in [[Cirebon]], a force was landed there from {{HMS|Lion|1777|6}}, {{HMS|Nisus|1810|6}}, [[French frigate President|HMS ''President'']], {{HMS|Phoebe|1795|6}} and {{HMS|Hesper|1809|6}} on 4 September, causing the defenders to promptly surrender. General Jamelle, a member of Janssens's staff, was captured in the fall of the town.<ref name="Woodman110"/><ref name="James38"/> The town and fort of Taggal surrendered on 12 September after {{HMS|Nisus|1810|6}} and {{HMS|Phoebe|1795|6}} arrived offshore.<ref name="James39">{{cite book |last=James|title=The Naval History of Great Britain|volume=6|page=39}}</ref>

While the navy took control of coastal towns, the army pushed on into the interior of the island. Janssens had been reinforced on 3 September by 1,200 mounted irregulars under Prince Prang Wedono and other Javanese militia. On 16 September [[Salatiga]] fell to the British.<ref name="James39"/> JanssenJanssens attacked a British force under Colonel Samuel Gibbs that day, but was repulsed. Many of the native militia killed their Dutch officers in the ensuing rout.<ref>{{cite book|last=Fregosi|title=Dreams of Empire|page=324}}</ref> With his effective force reduced to a handful of men, Janssens surrendered two days later, on 18 September.<ref name="Woodman110"/><ref name="James39"/>

==Aftermath==