Indian Antiquary Vol 32

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

Page 42

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
In the beginning of the next year, the remaining part of the East Coast of the Andamans was carefully examined by Lieutenant Blair and myself and three Vessels, several very good Harbours were discovered but especially one near the North end and then called North East Harbour, which Commodore Cornwallis examined about the end of the same year, and he gave it as a War Port a decided preference to all the other Harbours he had examined; The Supreme Board in consequence of the Commodore's opinion determined to form a Settlement at the North East Harbour, now Port Cornwallis and I was appointed Superintendant there in 1792.
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[JANUARY, 1903.
Captain Blair was sent in charge of four small Vessels with Settlers and stores, under instruc→ tions to move everything from the old Harbour to Port Cornwallis where we are now settled, and this was completely effected early in 1793.
In the Report laid before Government by Captain Blair, every information was given respecting the Soil, Climate, and natural productions of the Island, that could be obtained during the short time we were there. These must have been known to Commodore Cornwallis who had also visited Prince of Wales's Island, and being well acquainted with the exact state of it, he must well have considered the whole of the Subject before he gave his Opinion upon it.
I think it very proper to observe that I never at any period found occasion to alter the Opinion I had formed of the comparative Advantages of the Andamans and Prince of Wales's Island as delivered in my abovementioned Report of the last place, It was from the desire of establishing the truth or falsity of this opinion, upon the firmest grounds that of Experience, that I was induced to undertake the charge of the new Settlement, as well as to visit Prince of Wales's Island, a second time to observe its progress during a period of the eight preceding years. I now with confidence proceed to present the reflections that I have made on both Situations, having alone truth in view, and a sincere desire of being of as much use to the public as is in my power, by giving reasons to encourage Government to adopt and pursue with vigour the Plan that appears to me the most reasonable and to desist from that which may ultimately lead to disappointment.
Andamans,
Although the Governor General in Council has already in his possession the Reports of Captain Blair, where the Geography, Soil, Produce and Climate of the Andaman Islands are touched on, and also a Paper laid before the Board by the late Lieutenant Colonel Kyd, bringing into one point of view the various information, respecting them, which he carefully collected from Captain Blair and myself [i.e. Major Kyd] it may not be improper to render a fuller account of them, more especially as we have found the Climate vary exceedingly from what it was at first represented, and this is a circumstance to be much attended to in estimating its value as a Settlement for an Arsenal and War Harbour.
The Andaman Islands comprehending what is called the Great and little Andamans, extend from North Latitude 10°.31 to 13°.40 laying nearly in a North and South direction between the 92 and 98 Degrees of Longitude East of Greenwich. They are part of a continued range of Islands extending from Cape Negrais, to Acheen Head, including the Preporis, Cocos, Carnicobars, and the great and little Nicobars, the whole being a Chain of Islands between which there is reason to believe that there is a continuation of Soundings, entirely dividing the Eastern part of the Bay of Bengal, and known by the Antient Geographers by the name of the Fortunate Islands, and which are described by them as being all inhabited by Cannibals. This Opinion corresponds also, with that delivered by tradition from the Hindoos of Indostan.
The Andaman Islands are at no part broader than twenty Miles, and the Great Andaman in particular is deeply indented on both sides, by extensive Bays and Inlets, two of which have been found to run entirely across, one at the Southern part Navigable for the largest Vessels and another about the middle of the Island thro' which Vessels of small burthen may pass; and there is reason to believe that on a more Minute Survey, other smaller passages will be found.