Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/422

414 the forts of Severndroog to the Morattoes, striking the English flag, which for the honour of their arms he had hitherto caused to be hoisted in them; and on the 15th sailed away with his ships to Bombay: the Morattoe fleet at the same time returned to Choul.

The squadron under the command of Mr. Watson arrived at Bombay in the November following, and the fair season being now returned, the presidency with the Morattoes renewed their intentions of attacking Angria; Mr. Watson readily consenting to assist them with the force under his command. It was determined, if practicable, to strike at once at the root of Angria's power, by attacking Gheria, the capital of his dominions, and the principal harbour and arsenal of his marine force: but it was so long since any Englishman had seen this place, that trusting to the report of the natives, they believed it to be at least as strong as Gibraltar, and like that situated on a mountain inaccessible from the sea; for this reason it was resolved to send vessels to reconnoitre it, which service commodore James, in the Protector, with two other ships, performed. He found the enemy's fleet at anchor in the harbour, notwithstanding which he approached within cannon shot of the fort, and having attentively considered it, returned at the end of December to Bombay, and described the place, such as it really was, very strong indeed, but far from being inaccessible or impregnable. Upon his representation, it was resolved to prosecute the expedition with vigour. The Morattoe army under the command of Rama-gee Punt, marched from Choul, and the twenty gun ship, with the sloop of Mr. Watson's squadron, were sent forward to blockade the harbour, where they were soon after joined by commodore James, in the Protector, and another ship, which was of 20 guns, belonging to the company. On the 11th of February the admiral, with the rest of the ships arrived. The whole fleet now united, consisted of four ships of the line, of 70, 64, 60, and 50 guns, one of 44, three of 20, a grab of 12, and five bomb ketches, in all fourteen vessels. Besides the seamen, they had on board a battalion of 800 Europeans with 1000 Sepoys under the command of lieutenant-colonel Clive.

The famous fortress of Gheria is situated on a promontory of rocky land about a mile long and a quarter broad, lying about a mile from