Indian Antiquary Vol 46

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

Page 23

JANUARY, 1917]
THE CYCLONE AT PONDICHERRY, 1761
19
То
the reasons that induced Mr. Stevens to defer too long the Signal for putting out. This disaster, great as it was, did not interrupt the Proceeding against Pondicherry, and the want of the Cannon lost in the Storeship was supplyed from the Newcastle. We got two Batteries advanced, of 10 Guns and 3. Morters, each near (the) N. W. Rastion, which soon destroyed all the Defences that opposed them there. .
I am with perfect Respect Sir,
Your most Humble and most Obedt. Servant, ADMIRAL POOOOK.
RD. KEMPENFELT. Extract of the Log of the Norfolk, Captain Richard Komponfolt.86 Friday, 22 January 1761.- Fresh gales and bazey with rain ... the gale increasing at 8 and past 10, stormy wind with hard wind and sharp lightning from N. W. to N. E., at which time parted the Best Bower. Cut it at the Splice of the 2d Cable, Slipt the Kedge Anchor with 2 Hawsers bent to it, cast her Lead offshore to the Eastward, brac'd the yards up and kupt the Wind a point abaft the Beam to gain an Offing, not daring to set any Sail as no Canvas could hold against the violence of the Wind. At 11 the Longboat broke adrift ; lost in her all her Sails &ca, 1 past 11 had 3 foot of Water to Leeward on the Gun deck, Oonarioned by not being able to get on the Buoklers, hause, &u., also making great Quantities of Water from the Water Walls, Upper Works, and post rope holes, which obliged us to Souttle the lower Dook to let the Water down the Hold. At 12 the Gale began to Abate. Set the fore Mair and mizen Courses ; past 6 Saw Sail of the Squadron without Us, une of which appeared to have lost all her Masts. Show'd the Topp and Poop Lights. At l A.M., the wind Still Veering to the N. E., fired 3 Guns, the Signal vo wear, and Wore to the N. E. and brought her a little toc, on the Starboard Tack, so as to have the Wind about 2 points abaft the Beam; then hawling the Foretack on board, was suddenly attacked with a very violent Storm from ühe S. E Quarter, which laid the Muzzels of the Upper Deck Guns in the water, blew the Mainsail from the Yard (then close hauled up) and the Mizen from the Mast and Yard (haald close up in the Brails), and Foretopmast staysail a way out of the netting, and the Main topmast Staysail loose and split it, Unshipped, and blew over board the middle poop Lanthorr. Kept the wind sometimes one point and sometimes two points abaft th Beanu and shoald the Water Gradually. At 4 the Gale began to Abate
Extract of the Log of the Panther, Captain Philip Affleck.so Friday, 20 January 1761.--At i A.M., the wind increas'd with great violence... haul'd up the Courses, but could not furl them ... At past 1 tbe ship lay so much on her beam ends and pressed with water both in the hold and between decks, were obliged to cut away the main mast to right her, which carried away the Mizen Mast. She then righted a little ... the ship falling off by the loss of her mast, so as not to clear the land, let go the sheet anchor, which not bringing ber up at & cable and a half, uut away the foremast and lost the bowsprit, in which she brought up in 3 fathoms... At 3 A. M., it began to moderate ; lost three Men, one with the Main Mast, one with the Bowsprit, and one with the Long boat, which Stove and Sunk at parting the S.B. (starboard bower) Cable, and
35 Captains' Loge, 643 (Public Record Office.)
Captains' Logo, 666 (Public Record Omico.)