Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan.djvu/150

144 likewise to a flank of the bastion on the s. w. The energy, elated with this advantage, kept up so hot a fire, that Admiral Watson instead of attempting to recover his intended station, determined to decide the contest where his ship lay, which occupying the post intended for the Salisbury, this ship anchored 150 yards lower down the river, and remained out of the action, which was maintained entirely by the Kent and Tiger. The cannonade was fierce, every shot on both sides took place; and, at the same time, the two batteries on shore assailed with a cross fire the two bastions of the fort, against which the ships directed their broadsides. At nine o'clock, the fort shewed a flag of truce, and Mr. Watson, not to let the enemy see the condition of his ship, sent Captain Coote, of the King's regiment ashore to receive their proposals; and whilst messages were passing concerning the terms of surrender, 50 of, the best soldiers of the garrison, with 20 Topasses, and several officers, quitted the fort, and marched to the northward. At three in the afternoon the capitulation was concluded.

During this action, the Salisbury received only some straggling shot, which did little damage, and the fort received as little from her fire. In the Tiger, the master and 14 others were killed, and 56 wounded: the Kent received six shot in her masts, and 142 in her hull; the first lieutenant Mr. Perrot, and 18 of the crew, were killed, and 72 wounded. Amidst this slaughter, it was a general consolation that the wound of Captain Speke was not mortal, whose enterprizing spirit, and nautical abilities, had eminently contributed to the successes of this squadron in India; the same ball, which struck the calf of his leg, carried off the thigh of his son, a youth of promising hopes, who died of this disaster. Of the English troops on shore, only one man was killed, and 10 wounded, during this last attack; but the fire of their batteries, and of their musketry from the tops of the houses, hastened the surrender of the fort, in which 40 men were killed and 70 wounded. The defence was gallant, more especially as none of the garrison, excepting a few of the officers, had ever before been in services of danger: Mr. Devignes, a Captain of one of the French company's ships, commanded the bastions,