A History of the Mahrattas v2.c33.23

v2.c33.23

expressed a wish that Commodore Watson should superintend the naval part of the enterprise, and have joint authority with General Gordon, the Commodore, on the General’s acquiescence in the arrangement, cheerfully complied. The troops proceeded on the 12th of December, and on the ensuing day a part of the Portuguese fleet anchored in the mouth of the harbour of Bombay and formally protested against their proceedings. The President and Council used many arguments ¹ in justification of their measures; they declared they would issue no countermand, and batteries were opened against Tannah on the 20th December. On the eighth day the breach was considered practicable, but it was necessary to fill up the ditch before they could advance to the assault. They attempted this operation on the night of the 27th December, when they were forced to retire with the loss of one hundred Europeans, including officers killed and wounded, but next evening the fort was carried by assault, when the soldiers, exasperated by their loss, put the greater part of the garrison to the sword. Among the sufferers at Tannah was Commodore John Watson, a brave and experienced officer, who was mortally wounded ² on the third day of the siege.