Indian Antiquary Vol 48

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

Page 183

OCTOBER, 1919]
EPISODES OF PIRACY IN THE EASTERN SEAS
179
This fleet having engaged sometimes in piracy, sometimes in trade or private affairs, all together or in parts as occasion required, the forces of Chinchilung increased to such an extent that he quickly got together 3000 vessels. This formidable power filling him with audacity he formed the design of seizing the Empire, but the Tartars, more cunning than he, having enticed him ashore with the greater part of his men, defeated and took him prisoner and sent him to Pekin, where they put him to death by poison.
Coxinga, who had been his lieutenant and second in command, took his place, though he came originally from the very dregs of the people, having been a tailor at Taiovan [ an Island on the S.E. coast of Formosa] where the Sieur Putman [Hans Putmans] had employed him as such. Later he turned pirate and, having pulled off some considerable coups, acquired a high reputation which placed him in the position which he now occupied.
He hated our nation, which had often interfered with his piratical undertakings and given him some sufficiently important checks, for which he was looking out for an opportunity of revenge. Accordingly he equipped some hundreds of junks, some of which mounted forty guns and all were well manned and carried a number of soldiers. With this force he left the coast of China in order to land at Taiovan.
In Formosa there had occurred several portents of this misfortune. In the month of January, 1661 there took place a furious earthquake which caused all the mountains in the island to crumble and threw down thirty-one houses at Taiovan. The thick walls of Fort Zeelandia were cracked in several places and in others had fallen down. Three vessels in the harbour were tossed about in an extraordinary manner. The waves of the sea were raised to such a height that they looked like mountains and it appeared as if they would overwhelm the island. These tremors could be felt six weeks later though always diminishing in force. It is true that they had often occurred before in Formosa, but never before had! they lasted so long or been so violent.
On the 15th April, 1661 at midnight terrible noises were heard on one of the bastions of Fort Zeelandia, named Middelburg, which waked up all of the soldiers who were asleep. Every one rushed to his arms and then towards the place from which the noises came; but look as they might, nothing could be seen. This incident caused extraordinary surprise.
There were three vessels at anchor in the Roads of Baxamboi, which, an hour before daylight, were seen from the land to be on fire and in flames which burst out again and again as if a cannon were being fired, but no reports were heard. On the other hand those who were on board saw the same take place in Fort Zeelandia. At daylight all these phenomena disappeared.
On the 29th April about mid-day there was seen, in front of the new works, a man who rose up three times out of the water and for the third time disappearing was seen no more. About mid-day beneath the Holland bastion there was seen a Siren with long blond locks of hair, who also showed himself three times. There were also several other portents which are thought to have been messengers of the approaching misfortune.
On the morning of the 30th April, as a great fog, which hid the horizon, began to clear, one saw from Fort Zeelandia that the sea was covered with vessels, a forest of masts. This great force was divided into three squadrons. The first, passing in front of Fort Zeelandia, cast anchor three leagues to the south. The second went north to the pass of Lagimoi which lies between Formosa and the long and narrow bank of Baxamboi. The third remained in the same place in which the whole fleet had been first seen, about a cannon-shot from the Dutch vessels in the Roads.