Indian Antiquary Vol 49

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

Page 44

40
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[MARCH, 1920
:
"We hear the owners of the Cassandra have resolved to send the Captain a present to Bombay for his singular gallant behaviour in engaging the Pirates."
[Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 22 April, 1721.]
Extract of the Log of the Greenwich, Captain Richard Kirby Commander.
Sunday, August 7th 1720. At 7 this morning saw two ships standing in for the Road [of Johanna). At ll following unmoored, at 12 the Cassandra being under sail cut bower cable in the hawse and then the Ostender weighed, at which time discovered the two ships to be pirates, the one a French built ship of 46 guns, by name the Victory, Captain England. The other Dutch built of 36 guns by name the Fancy, Captain (Jasper] Seager. Got all things in readiness for our defence.
"Monday August 8th 1720. At l p.m. the Cassandra, being the leewardmost ship. was engaged by the small ship. They fought under the black flag at the maintopmast (with death's head in itt), the red flag at the foretopmast head, and St. George's colourses at the Ensigne staff. We tacked and stood in for to assist him, when perceiving the Cassandra aground, tacked and stood off, making the best of our way for Bombay. About 8 following spy'd one of the Pirates in chase after us; she having the land breeze first got almost within gunshot of us before we had the breeze, then we out away our longboat and lost our yawl, the main ...... giving way, with two sailors in her, by name James Tate and William Prescott. Night approaching, soon lost sight of the Pirate and proceeded without any further attempt. We were not fully satisfied whether the Cassandra was taken or not. The last time we saw her perceived them hotly engaged, but could not come to her assistance.”
[India Office Marine Records. ]
3.
Narratives of Richard Lazenby of London, Second Mate of the Cassandra ; Captain James Macrae, Commander, taken by two pirates; Captain Seager of the Fancy and Captain Taylor
of the Victoria.
No. 97. Letter from Richard Lazenby. “I omit the particulars of our engagement and being taken, because do not doubt but your Honours have had a satisfactory account of that from Capt. Macrae, and likewise in what manner I was taken from him. The first night I oame aboard [?the pirate ship) and the time came for these people to sleep, there was a watch ordered on my account, which made some of them so angry as to say that if they saw me out on the deck on any account soever they would knock my brains out, which did not a little concern me. Some who were in the cabbin bade me be of good cheer, but not to venture on deck for fear of the worst. The Chief Surgeon in particular, who took care to lay me down on the cabbin floor by him, more to prevent my escape than any good nature in the villain, which I found afterwards when I rose in the night by his following me into the gallery and telling me if I offered at escaping they would oblige Captain Macrae to find me or else take all from him again and burn the ship.
"The next morning they unmoored and hove short for sailing. Captain Macrae came on board and interceded much for me, but to no purpose. He left me and soon after they got under sail designing to proceed for India, where they arrived some time in October (1720) The day before they made the land saw two ships to the eastward, whom at first sight tool
See Log of the London (Captain William Upton) under date 4 Nov. 1720. » The White Ensign.