Indian Antiquary Vol 46

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

Page 13

JANUARY, 1917)
THE CYCLONE AT PONDICHERRY, 1761
And Ordered that Mr. Milton, the Commisary General of Stores at Camp, be wrote to for an account of the stores that had been landed from the Duke, that all possible means may be taken for replacing the deficiency occasioned by the loss of that Ship.
Ordered that Pattamars (pathmar, a foot runner, messenger) be dispatched to Bombay and Bengal with Advices of the late disaster which has happened to the Fleet, and to request of the Gentlemon at Bombay to communicate the same to the Commanders of any of his Majesty's ships there, that they may be prepared to execute such orders as they may receive from the Admiral, from whom as yet we have received no Advices since the Accident. We are uncertain what measures he may think most expedient to take for refitting the disabled Ships and as a part of our battering Cannon is lost in the Duke, It is AGREED to request they will supply us with this Article as far as they are able. Report of the Storm sent to Bombay, 5th January 1761, by the
Council at Fort St. George. Honble. Sir and Sirs,-Since our last of the 20th Ultimo, we have received your favor under date the 27th November.
Admiral Stevens, with the Norfolk, Sunderland, Falmouth and Protector, joined the five Ships under Captain Haldane's Command off Pondichery the 26th of last Month, and the Queenborough a day or two after, having left Tricamallay ( Trincomallee, Ceylon ) the 16th, and parted from the Lenox, Grafton, Weymouth, York, Salisbury, Tartar Sloop and Compagnie des Indes, French Prize, under Admiral Cornish, off Point Pedro. "1
After this favorable account of the chief part of the Squadron being safe on the Coast, it is with pain we proceed to describe the very unfortunate Catastrophe which happened by the effects of a most violent gale of wind off Pondicherry the 1st Instant. All the particulars we have as yot received of this unhappy event are as follow. The Newcastle, Queenborough and Protector drove ashore near Ariancopang, the crews saved; the Duke of Aquitaine, the Sunderland, and the Company's Ship Duke laden with Stores for the Siege, founder'd ; of the two former, only one was saved, and a few Lascars of the latter. The Norfolk, America, Medway, Falmouth and Panther rode it out, but were obliged to cut away all their Masts, and we hear are otherwise much damaged; the Liverpool Frigate put to Sea, and has not since been heard of. The Elizabeth, South Sea Castle and Hermione, French Prize, we understand were sent round to Bombay from Trincomalay, and that the Tyger was left at the last mentioned place to compleat her Repairs.
As we are quite uncertain what measures the Admiral may think most expedient to take for refitting the disabled Ships, we can only give you this early notice, and request that you will be pleased to communicate the same to the Commanders of any of His Majesty's Ships with you, that they may be prepared to execute such orders as they may receive from the Admiral. The Instant we are informed of his resolution, we shall dispatch another Pattamar to you.
We have had no certain accounts of Admiral Cornish since Mr. Steevens left him off Point Pedro, as abovementioned, but a private letter just received mention[ 8 ] five Ships being seen to the Northward of Pondichery, which we hope to be his division.
Our Camp has also suffered by the Storm, but we are exerting our utmost endeavours to press the Siege with Vigour, and prevent, as far as we are able, the advantages the Enemy
# Madras Military Consultations, Range 251, VOL. 47. 11 A point at the extreme N. E. of Ceylon, near Point Palmyra.