1799 - East Indies, Capture of Seringapatam


 
Contents

Next Page

Previous Page

10 Pages >>

10 Pages <<
Naval History of Great Britain - Vol II
1799 Light Squadrons and Single Ships

[should read Colonial Expeditions - West Indies]
374

the capital of the colony, were taken quiet possession of, and the whole of Surinam surrendered to the arms of Great Britain.

The only vessels of war, found lying in Surinam river, were the French ship-corvette, Hussar, of 20 long 8-pounders,* and the Dutch brig corvette, Camphaan, of 16 long 6 pounders. Both vessels were added to the British navy ; the latter by her own name, and the former by the name of the colony in whose waters she had been captured.

East Indies.

Although, from its situation, not a place at the reduction of which - the British navy could co-operate, yet, as the capital of an immense territory, and the residence of a powerful and enterprising chief already named in these pages, the fortress of Seringapatam claims to have its surrender noticed.

The British and native troops assembled for the reduction of this important fortress were commanded by Lieutenant-general Harris ; and on the 30th of April, the batteries of the former began to batter in breach. On the 3d of May, a breach was reported practicable; and on the 4th, the capital of Mysore was carried by assault, with a loss to the British and native troops of 83 killed (13 only of the latter), 297 wounded, and six missing. Among the killed in defending Seringapatam, was the Sultan Tippoo-Saib, whose body after a long search, was found under a heap of slain in one of the gateways. Several of the gallant Tippoo's chiefs and head men fell on the same occasion.

Among the numerous prisoners taken in the fortress were a few French officers ; and, among Tippoo's papers, was found the clearest evidence of the good understanding that had subsisted between the deceased Sultan and the French government ; and this even while Tippoo was negotiating, in seeming heartiness and good faith, with the Earl of Mornington. Of the origin and ill success of a previous application on the part of the sultan for a supply of French troops, we have already given some account. By the documents found at Tippoo-Saib's death, it appears that the French government was also to supply him with naval officers, who were to receive a large pay ; that Mangalore was to be Tippoo's principal seaport, and that Goa and even Bombay were to have been attacked : the first of which settlements, on their anticipated easy reduction, was to be retained by Tippoo, and the latter to be given up to the French.

* So, with the usual substitution of 9 for 8 pounders, represented in Lord Hugh's letter ; but as the ship was only 413 tons, we consider that the guns were either fewer in number, or of a lighter caliber, probably 6-pounders.

See p. 213.

^ back to top ^