Indian Antiquary Vol 31

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 46

. 42
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[JANUARY, 1902.
and a very high and confused sea. This caused a seperation but as I had previously instructed the Gentlemen in charge of those Vessels, in case of such aocident to proceed direct for Port Cornwallis and given them the situation of the Port with such other directions as appeared necessary, I thought there was little to be dreaded from that misfortune.
I arrived at this place with the Union, the 30th of November and found in the harbour, the H. C. Snow Ranger, and Dispatch Schooner. Lieutenant Wales with the Crew of the Ranger and a few Laborers, had cleared a considerable space of ground, sufficient to erect Huts on for the Major part of the Settlers and store houses for the Provisions and Stores he had also made a convenient ships Watering Place. For these services I distributed amongst the Crew of the Ranger 369 rupees, as a gratuity, agreeable to the promise in Lieutenant Wales's Instructions.
On the 1st of December H. M. Ship Minerva arrived when I delivered your Lordship's Dispatches to the Honble. Commodore Cornwallis. At this period about 180 Settlers were on shore, lodged in two private Tents and a large Hut. The evening was gloomy and there was a gwell in the harbour without any apparent cause. About seven in the evening a vessel in this opening of the harbour fired a gun and hoisted a light, which was answered by a gun and blue light from the Union; this Vessel I have judged since to have been the Juno, which has not yet made her appearance. In the morning of the 2nd the wind was strong, from North East, increasing and with it a very considerable swell. At Two it blew excessively hard, when the Ranger was driven through a very high Sarf which broke entirely over her in 41 fathoms. At Three, the Union, after parting one cable, followed the Ranger; and by the extreme violence of the wind and sea, with two anchors in the ground and drawing 14 feet was driven up the bank into 6[? or]7 feet water. It affords me great satisfaction to inform your Lordship, that the Banks which terminate the interior part of this admirable harbour are of so soft a texture, that the Vessels have received no damage in their bottoms notwithstanding the excessive and United force of the wind and sea. The loss in the Union is a fourth Rudder two anchors and one cable, the Ranger one anchor, the Leeboard which was also driven on the bank a boat. H, M. ship Minerva one anchor, and the Dispatch which drove on a sand bank a trivial loss of copper. The wind made great devastation amongst the trees having torn many very large ones ap with the roots, and the branches from others which were in more sheltered situations. This Hurricane and its consequences prove that the largest ships may run into this harbour as a place of safety even in the distressed condition of having neither anchors or cables.
On the 10th of December the Ranger was dispatched to Diamond Island by desire of the Commodore, to bring Turtle, and the Leeboard accompanyed her to bring some for the Settlement. H. M. ships Minerva and Dispatch sailed the same day for Old Harbour, and the Seahorse arrived and what appears extraordinary, this Vessel, though not exceeding the distance of 160 miles from this place, had only a gentle gale all the 2d being then in company with the Cornwallis which arrived the 14th and Confirmed this Account. The 16th the Eagle from Calcutta bound to Prince of Wales Island touched here and sailed the 17th when the Viper arrived from Old Harbour. Lieutenant Roper mentions that it blew pretty fresh at that place the 2nd from S. W. but not so hard as to have done any damage. It therefore appears that the Hurricane which we bad here the 2nd which blew from Northeast to East with excessive violence, and as it subsided veering to South west had been confined to a small extent, not having been felt 60 leagues to westward, nor at the distance of 40 leagues to Southward,
The Ranger from having very bad winds and contrary Ourrents, did not arrive until the 27th she brought 41 and the Leeboard 24 very fine Turtle ; and the Viper was immediately dispatched for Old Harbour with 34 for the Commodore.