Indian Antiquary Vol 49

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

Page 68

64
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ APRIL, 1920
her sides, and as the Revenge had joined us to destroy her, it was reasonably expected she would speedily become a prize to our superior force, and though repeatedly desired not to make any further resistance, yet they [the enemy] refused, preferring to receive a most smart cannonading from both vessels than strike. On her part a very slow fire was returned:
From her keeping so much to the eastward we were of opinion the enemy meant to run their vessel on shore (since we have been informed that was their design), though the
Bombay) Grab followed her into 4 fathoms rocky ground and anchored, but the Commodore, knowing the Revenge drew less water, he directed the boat from each vessel to tow him up alongside the Moratta ship. It was about before eleven o'clock when the [Bombay) Grab anchored. At past she again weighed and the land wind . . . . all the vessels out, prevented the enemy running on shore. At ; past .... she blew up and was continually in a flame from head to stern. The cause of this accident cannot be determined but is reasonably supposed to have happened from the careless manner in which they have their powder or by a hand grenade. Perhaps a shot from ono of the vessels struck a bolt in her Magazine, but how it happened is merely conjecture. Sufficient to say that she is totally destroyed.
It is impossible to describe so terrible a picture. The ship itself in flames was dreadful, but more so were the cries of the unhappy sufferers, many of whom after being severely burnt were found swimming, endeavouring to avoid the power of one element by flying to another. Our Commodore sent his own boat and the Bombay Grab's to relieve as many of the people as they possibly could. To the number of thirty were saved, but many of them such objects that it hurt the nature of man to see them ; some shot in different places, others miserably burnt. Many will in all probability die. Every method was used to ease them that was in the power of the Surgeons by the application of such medicine as were proper and suitable.
It is to be remarked how singularly fortunate it was that not a person on board either vessel received the smallest hurt from the enemy, nor did either of our ships suffer, unless from one shot which struck the (Bombay) Grab forward. From the nearness with which the Company's vessels began, continued and ended the fight, it was reasonably to be expected that greater accidents would have happened than what did. The situation of each vessel was very dangerous at the time of the explosion as well as from the flames of the Moratta ship, but providentially they have both escaped.
It will ever afford me pleasure to relate with what spirit and bravery distinguished both officers and men on this occasion, each endeavouring to convince how much they were interested in the Honour of that Service in which they are engaged.
At the earnest solicitation of the prisoners, when off Gheriah,60 the Commodore made a signal for a boat, which being observed by one going into that port from Vengurla,
Vengorla, Ratnagiri District), she came to the Revenge, when those poor creatures were sent on shore--miserable objects indeed!
80 Gherish or Vijayadrug, a port in Ratnagiri district, Bombay.-ED.