Indian Antiquary Vol 46

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 11

JANUARY, 1917]
THE CYCLONE AT PONDICHERRY, 1761
7
garrison, and recommended his ordering armed boats to keep constantly cruizing in shore, so as to prevent any thing getting in to their relief. Received advice from Negapatam that a boat loaded with provisions sailed from that port; acquainted Admiral Stevens with this immediately....
Tuesday 6th January 1761.-The late storm having raised the sea so high as to wash away the Star redoubt, which was built between the Sea and the river to the Southward and thereby leave that part uncovered, I ordered the Engineers to mark out a fort capable of containing 300 men, so as intirely to cover the southward and prevent the enemy from sending out any parties to molest the seamen at the wrecks. Received a letter from Admiral Stevens, desiring me to send armed boats to cruize before Pondicherry. Wrote him for answer that I had none fit for that purpose, and even if I had, there were no proper people on shore to man them; also informed him that I had intelligence from the different neutral ports of several boats lading with provisions for the enemy, and that I made no doubt of his taking the necessary measures to prevent their getting into Pondicherry. This day Admiral Cornish in the Lenox, with the York and Weymouth, arrived here, all well.
Colonel Coote's Report of the Storm to the Council at Fort St. George.
Consultation, 4th January 1761.-This morning came in the following letter from Colonel Coote Commanding the Army before Pondicherry.
To the Honble. the President and Council of Fort St. George.
Gentlemen,-After the most terrible night of wind and rain that I ever was witness to,
I have this morning the most dismal prospect. Our fleet (I am afraid) entirely destroyed. Four of the ships we see dismasted and two more on shore. The beach is covered with peices of wrecks; the Army almost in as great distress, having our Tents, Huts, and every thing belonging to us destroyed. Great numbers of the black people, men, women and Children have been killed. I fear greatly for the Ship Duke; she had the greater part of her stores on board. It is absolutely necessary that you, Gentlemen exert your utmost [endeavours] (by sending us as speedy supplys as possible) to make up for this unfortunate disaster, and to enable us at the same time to push on the Siege with vigor. I am by this shocken Scene of confusion so hurried, which prevents me from saying any thing further at present, than that I am, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient and most humble Servant, EYRE COOTE.
Oulgaret, 2d January 1761.
To which was returned the following Answer :
To Eyre Coote Esqr., Commander-in-Chief.
SIR, We received this morning your favour of the 2d Instant with the unfortunate news of the sufferings the Fleet and Army have sustained by a storm of wind on the 1st Instant. The misfortune is great; so much the greater must our ardor be in preventing
• Rear Admiral Samuel Cornish, Cr. Bt. 1766, died 1770. See the Dict. Nat. Biog. for a notice of him. He succeeded Admiral Charles Stevens in command of the squadron, on the death of the latter in April 1761.
1 Madras Military Consultations, Range 251, Vol. 47, pp. 1-3. * Oulgaret, one of the four communes of Pondicherry.