Indian Antiquary Vol 32

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

Page 41

JANUARY, 1903.]
THE ANDAMANS IN THE XVIIITH CENTURY.
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nature as chiefly to enable me to clear up strong doubts that had ariven in my mind respecting the comparative advantages of the Infant Settlement at the Andamans, as a Port of refitment and refreshment for the natives of Great Britain, with those of Prince of Wales's Island, which I surveyed and reported upon to Government soon after it was settled in the year 1787.
It may not be improper before I enter on a discussion of this important point, to take a short View of what has been done by Government heretofore, for the Establishment of a Port of refitment for our Fleets to the Eastward of Cape Comorin, in order to prevent in future the great loss of the most Valuable period of the year for Naval operations, which has heretofore been sustained by the Fleets being obliged to make a long Voyage to Bombay to repair ; It was an object which Administration justly considered of the utmost national consequence, Ultimately tending in a material degree to the safety and permanency of the British Dominions in this country,
The first Plan I believe that was taken notice of was Mr Lacam's, at now Harbour in the Mouth of the Ganges proposed in the year 1774 or 1775, but after much Argument on both sides, and the most careful and the fairest Investigation, demonstratively proved to be totally Impracticable. There can be no doubt however that the Projector of this Plan enthusiastically believed that it would be attended with success and as there are many great Advantages attending such a situation that none other can boast of it is not astonishing that such an inviting prospect misled his judgment especially when it is known that many Maritime people of high reputation were of Opinion at the time that Ships of the Line could be brought into the Ganges through Mr Lacams Channel with safety. But admitting this really to be the case there is great reason to believe that the unhealthiness of the lower parts of Bengal, would always be an insuperable objection to the Establishment of a Marine Port in the Mouth of the Ganges.
The next Plan that was proposed was the settlement at Prince of Wales's Island, which at first seemed principally of a Commercial nature: for when Lord Cornwallis arrived here in 1786 it was not absolutely known te Government whether the Harbour and situation were calculated for a Fleet of Ships of War, and to establish these points His Lordship in Council did me the honor of employing me in the year 1787.
In the report I gave to Government, I touched on the various Harbours that could be takon possession of in the Bay of Bengal and to the Eastward, estimating their Advantages as accurately as I could from the information I had then obtained, and from this report I have great reason to believe that instructions were formed for Capt. Morenom of the Royal Navy, who was sent to India in the Ariel Sloop of War for the express purpose of Surveying these Harbours.
He was however put under the Orders of Commodore Cornwallis, who, it would appear had been entrusted with the Superintendance of this Commission, and who during the time that he commanded his Majesty's Squadron in India took the greatest pains to inform himself respecting the various Harbours; He visited most of them himself and exa nined them with the greatest attention.
In the year 1788 Government gave directions for the survey of the Andamans Islands which was undertaken with two Vessels, under the direction of Lieutenant Blair of the Bombay Marine, and completed in two seasons in a manner that does much Orodit to that Omoer.
Several good Harbours woze found on the East side of the great Andaman, but particularly one near the South end, which Capt. Blair thought perfectly well calculated for the purposes, and he reported it accordingly to Governtuent.
He was then directed to form a small Settlement at that place, and in the year 1789 it was visited by Commodore Cornwallis whom I had the honor of accompanying there, as well as to Nancowry Harbour at the Nicobars Islands, in Polension of the Danes, which excellent Harbour I Surveyed by the Commodore's doniro.