Indian Antiquary Vol 32

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

Page 46

40
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[JANUARY, 1903.
I will not say more of the Harbour of Port Cornwallis, of which the Board have so excellent a Survey and description by Capt. Blair, than that it is sufficiently capacious for the largest Fleets; easy of Ingress and egress, and from the experience of two years, during which time we have had several Gales from all Quarters, it appears to give safe Shelter to Ships at all Seasons. From the inspection of the Plan it is also evident that several modes of Fortification more or less extensive, might be adopted for the defence of the Settlement and an inferior fleet that might take Shelter there, depending on the scale that is taken up but, as this is not an object that can come immediately into Consideration, I shall hope that I have said enough of the situation, to admit of a comparison to be drawn between it and Prince of Wales Island, to which I will now beg to draw your attention.
Prince of Wales Island.
It were very unnecessary for me now to give any particular description of that Settlement, or its Harbour, as no part of the Report I delivered into Government, in the year 1787 has been invalidated. As however, it does not appear to me that it has been at all taken notice of or attended to by the Court of Directors, I must apprehend that it has been by some chance overlooked, or that the Opinions there delivered have not been esteemed of sufficient weight to Induce a determination on so important a point I have therefore subjoined to this a Copy of that Report in addition to which I have only to add that I have again carefully examined and surveyed the Harbour; that I find the entrance to it over a Mud flat (which had been reported dangerous for large Ships) perfectly safe having upon it depth enough, at low Water Spring Tides, for the largest Ships of the Royal Navy; that I find the Inner Harbour under Poolajuajah to be a safe and smooth Bason, where the largest Ships can be transported with the utmost safety in one tide, even with their Guns on Board; that on the Island Juajah, there is space enough for store Houses and a Marine Yard sufficiently extensive; and that Waris would be constructed with great ease, to which the largest Ships can be brought to take cut their Guns and Stores, previous to any repair, and that this Inner Harbour Spot for a marine Yard has the additional advantage of being easily Fortified at little cost.
I find that the Island which when I surveyed it in 1787 was nearly as impenetrable a Forest as the Andamans, is already cleared and cultivated to the extent of at least Twenty five square Miles, that abundance of excellent Tropical Fruits and all the Vegetables, common in India, are produced there, that the Climate is temperate and healthy, and like every other situation in the straits of Malacca, entirely free from Gales of wind, and violent Weather of any kind, it being out of the full range of either of the Monsoons, but participating in a small degree of both; that there is a considerable Population particularly of industrious Chinese and natives of the Coast of Coromandel that a large town has been built, and that there are Shops and Markets filled with every Article of refreshment or supply that a Fleet can be in want of, that a very extensive Commerce is established both through the Medium of ships navigated by Europeans, and Prows from the Neighbouring Countries, even as far to the Eastward as the Celebes; and that under proper Regulations and management it appears capable of increase to a very great extent. In fine I have seen fully realized here the assertions of the late respectable Superintendant, in the following Extract of a Letter to the Governor General in Council four years ago.
"To enumerate all the benefits which may be obtained from the Possession of Prince of Wales Island might create a Suspicion that from interested motives, I am endeavouring to deceive your Lordship with Appearances, I therefore return to the Advantages which are visible and undeniable collected under the following Heads
1st. A Harbour with good Anchorage secure from bad Weather, and capable of containing any number of Vessels.
2d. An Island well watered of excellent Soil, capable of sustaining Fifty thousand People and abounding in all necessary materials for their Service and Security.