Indian Antiquary Vol 46

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

Page 12

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[JANUARY, 1917
the advantages the Enemy might otherwise make of our distress. Whatever can be done by us shall not be wanting. We had some part of the gale here, but the Falmouth, loaded with Stores, fortunately rode it out. We dispatch her to you this night. Two ships, (the Lord Mansfield and Sandwich) arrived from Bengal, shall in a few days carry you a further supply of Gunpowder. All our Carpenters are set to work to make more platforms, which shall also be forwarded to you as soon as they are finished, as well as every other store our Garrison affords.
We remain &ca., GEORGE PIGOT, &ca., Council.
Colonel Coote's further Report of the damage caused by the Storm." Consultation, 5th January 1761.-The folowing letter received from Colonel Coote, with further particulars of the loss sustained by the Storm of wind on the 1st Instant.
To the Honble. the President and Council of Fort St. George.
GENTLEMEN,-After I had the honor of writing to you yesterday, I went along the Sea Side to the Southward of Pondichery, where I had a most miserable prospect of our shattered fleet. It is not in my power to describe the horror of the night of the 1st and the dreadful effects of it. The best account I can give you is the following. There are three ships on shore; most of the crews will be saved. The names are the Newcastle, Queenborough and Protector. Three ships have foundered, the Duke of Aquitaine, Sunderland and Duke Storeship; the two former had but one man saved, and the latter seven blacks. Four large ships are entirely dismasted; who they are, I do not exactly know, nor can I tell any thing of the few remaining Ships of the Squadron. Should the Revenge be carried at Madras I beg you would dispatch her immediately, and whatever armed Vessels you can collect, as we have not at present even a boat to block up the place. I sent off an express yesterday to Bombay, by way of Anjengo, in order to hurry round the Ships of war there, and I am doing every thing in my power to help the distressed people here, as well as to carry on the Attacks on this place. The Storm has almost rendered useless every thing I have hitherto done; yet I hope by a little activity and perseverence to get the better of this misfortune.
Head Quarters, 3d January 1761.
I have the honor to be, &ca., EYRE COOTE.
Measures taken by the Council at Fort St. George in consequence of the above Report.
Such a Calamitous and unexpected accident to our Fleet at this time is indeed a very melancholy event. We, however flatter ourselves that Admiral Cornish, with his Division, consisting of five ships of the Line, has escaped the Effects of the Storm, and that we shall in a few days hear of his arrival on the Coast to renw the blockade by Sea. In the mean time, that every precaution in our power may be taken to prevent the Enemy's getting in supplies by that means, RESOLVED that the Lord Mansfield and Sandwich, which imported here from Bengal the 3rd Instant do take on board as much Gunpowder as they can receive for the Siege of Pondichery, and proceed to the Southward with all Expedition for that Service.
* Madras Military Consultations, Range 240, Vol. 47, pp. 3-5.