Indian Antiquary Vol 46

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

Page 17

JANUARY, 1917)
THE CYCLONE AT PONDICHERRY, 1761
13
not having yot joined him from Ceyloan. The wind continued off the land till 9 P. M., when it began veering to the Northward, at which hour it is supposed the Admiral put to sea; but the violence of the gale and the darkness of the night prevented the squadron from the knowlodge of his intentions, and they consequently lay at anohor as long as their cables would hold them. About 10 o'clock all the Ships were adrift, having parted their cables ; about midnight the wind shifted to the S. E. and blew with exceeding violence, and exhibited in the morning the dreadful scene of four ships in the offing dismasted and several driven ashore on the beach: this was not however the most melancholy circumstance.
The Duc d'Aquitaine, commanded by Sir William Hewit, and the Sunderland by Captain Colvill foundered in the gale, and out of both ships only nine men were saved, who were taken up by the Panther's boat in the morning, having been six hours driving about in the sea on pieces of the Masts and Yards which had been cut away. The Ships which were obliged to out away their Masts were the America, Capt. Haldane, Medway, Tinker, Falmouth, Brereton and Panther, Affleck; and the Newcastle, Collins and Queenborough, Daniel, were driven ashore near Areocapang, where being out of the reach of the guns of Pondicherry, their hulls were only lost, the crews, stores and provisions being all saved. of the whole number of Ships lying the preceding day off Pondicherry, the Admiral's ship and Liverpool now remained to be accounted for: it was a general apprehension that the former had foundered, but the Liverpool having been stationed to the southward of the fleet and at a greater distance from the shore, had probably put to sea. On the 3d in the afternoon, these fears were removed by the Admiral's flag appearing and with him the Liverpool, who had been dismasted; the Norfolk had suffered no damage, having put to sea, when the other ships, not being able to see or hear his signal, were obliged to lye at Anchor untill their cables parted. Robert Ormo's Queries to Captain Amlock regarding the Storm,
with the Captain's Answers, 19
Queries. Did they anchor again or drive before the North storm until obliged to turn again to the land when it changed to the S. E., and then, having shoaled their water, anchor again; Or had they been able to avoid anchoring until the wind fell? I speak now more particularly of the ships which were riding in the morning, the America, Medway, Panther ard Falmouth. At what time did these ships cut away their masts? Did they leave any one of the masts standing?
Is it known whether the Duke of Acquitaine and Sunderland foundered at their anchors, or when adrift, and at what part of the gale did they founder ?
At what time of the gale were the Newcastle and Sunderland driven ashore ? Did they anchor again after they first parted their cables and then part them again, and so drive ashore ? It is more probable that they drove ashore whilst adrift. From the first I have a note that the masts of the Duke of Acquitain and Sunderland appeared the next morning just above the water. In what sounding did they founder ?
Answers. About 10 o'clock all the ships were adrift, having parted their cables.
In regard to the Panther she parted her S. B. [starboard bower) Cable about 9 o'clock, let go hor B. B. best bower and brought up at 2 Cables an (sic) end by which she rode about 20 minutes, when that cable parting, she put to sea and set the roofed courses and
Orme M88., Vol. 63, pp. 313.296.