A History of the Mahrattas v1.c17.30

v1.c17.30

These insults greatly enraged Sumbhajee; he threatened to punish the English and Portuguese for maintaining a neutrality towards Jinjeera, and during the remainder of the monsoon he made preparations for an attack on the Seedee’s fleet. In the month of October, the principal commanders of his armed vessels sailed out of the Nagotna river in quest of the Seedee, whose fleet was at anchor off Mazagon⁴ in Bombay harbour. On perceiving the approach of the Mahrattas, the Seedee immediately got under way and stood up towards the Tannah river, when having chosen his position he lay to and waited for the Mahrattas. Seedee Missree, the relation of Seedee Sumbhole, who had deserted to Sumbhajee, led the attack, and was well supported by the other officers. But Yakoot Khan in person commanded the Jinjeera fleet; and although he had only fifteen vessels to twice that number of Sumbhajee’s which attacked him, he gained a complete victory. Seedee Missree was mortally wounded and taken prisoner in his own vessel, which with three others was captured by the Seedee.¹ Some of the Mahratta fleet were sunk, defending themselves to the last.²