15S T H E L I F E O F 



gallivats, full of men. With the Guardian, Bombay grab, and 

 Drake bomb ketch, he engaged the enemy, and kept them 

 in clofe adlion, whilft his fleet got fafe into Tellicberry. In this 

 confli(fk he funk one of the enemies largeft gaUivats, and ob- 

 liged the reft to feek for fafety in Gheriah and Severndroog. 



About the beginning of the year 1751, Sir William was ap- 

 pointed commander in chief of the Eaji India Company's ma- 

 rine forces, and hoifted his broad pendant on board the P; 0- 

 teBor, a fine (hip of 44 guns. On April 2d, 1755, he was fent 

 with the ProteSfor, Guardian, Bombay grab, and Drake bomb, 

 with fome gaUivats, to attempt fuch of the ports belonging 

 to Angria which lie to the northward of Gheriaby his principal 

 fortrefs, and capital. 



The chief of thefe fortrefles was Severndroog, where Angria' %^ 

 veflels refitted, and took flielter when they could not reach Gbe^ 

 riab. It was well defended by batteries along the fhore, and the 

 entrance of the harbour was fecured by a ftrong caftle, on which 

 were mounted feventy pieces of cannon. Angria'^ people con- 

 frdered Severndroog as their ftrongeft hold next to Gberiab. Sir 

 William, having reconnoitred the place, and informed himfelf 

 of its ftrength, brought his (liips with a leading wind clofe to 

 the caftle-walls, and by a fteady well-dire61;ed fire (whilft the 

 Drake threw in her bombs) foon brought on a parley, and in 

 lels than three hours the governor furrendered the caftle, and 

 the vefTels in the harbour ; from hence Sir William went to 

 Fort Vivaria, which quickly followed the fate of Severndroog i 

 and the next day four other forts were numbered in his con- 

 quefts : all thefe falling, was a fevere blow to Angria, who 



t had 



