A History of the Mahrattas v1.c26.12

v1.c26.12

The strongest forts which Toolajee Angria possessed were Severndroog and Viziadroog. The latter, as already mentioned, was better known in those days by its Moghul name of Gheriah. On account of the approaching monsoon it was deemed inex-pedient to reduce Gheriah, or any of the forts south of those three specified in the articles. The small squadron under Commodore James sailed from Bombay harbour in the evening of the 22d March. A wanton delay on the part of the Mahratta fleet enabled Angria’s vessels at Severndroog to avoid the English ships. Commodore James, after a fruitless chase as far as Jyegurh, returned to Severndroog, where he commenced operations on the 2d April; stood close under the fortifications, and by noon of the fourth day from the commencement of the attack, was in possession of the four distinct forts of which Severndroog consists, without the loss of a man: an achievement, which from the previous idea entertained of the pirate Angria, and the strength of the fortifications, was matter of surprise even to those who accomplished it. The whole success was justly attributed to the vigour and judgment of Commodore James, and the resolution of his handful of troops and sailors. The Peishwa’s fleet never ventured within gunshot, and Naroo Punt, the Carcoon of Sebundees¹ who commanded, being unaccustomed to the sea, although he had headed several assaults on land, behaved in the most dastardly manner. Shumsher Buhadur, the Peishwa’s half-brother, was sent down from Poona with a body of troops, to reinforce Ramajee Mahdeo, and several of the forts in the neighbourhood of Severndroog surrendered to him. Elated by his success, the Mahrattas pushed on to Rutnaguiry, but the stay of the ships was limited to the end of April, and although subsequently directed, at the Peishwa’s earnest solicitation, to continue till the 15th of May, the season was too far advanced to permit of their acting with effect, owing to the heavy swell which is caused by the setting-in of the southerly winds, about a fortnight before the rains. Commodore James finally returned to Bombay on the 18th May.² Severndroog was punctually made over to the Mahrattas; but Bancoote,¹ by the wish of the English, was not given over till after the ensuing October, when they got possession. The reason of requiring this cession was to obviate that dependence on the Seedee, which has been explained. The Peishwa was assured by Mr. Bourchier that the assistance he desired should be granted at the opening of the season, when the expected arrival of the King’s ships from the opposite coast, under Admiral Watson, would place more powerful means at his disposal.