No. 40.— 1890.] 



ACCOUNT OP CEYLON. 



335 



Jacobsz. Koster, the town of Puncto gale fell into the hands 

 of the Netherlander. On the 8th of March, Koster with a 

 small force, succeeded in anchoring in the bay under the guns 

 of the enemy, landed and attacked Gale with terrific might, 

 defeated the force which had come from Golumbo to the 

 assistance of the besieged, brought three more powerful 

 vessels, viz., the Haerlem, Middleburg, and Breda, to their 

 aid in the bay, and landed the soldiers. The attack was 

 carried on with heavy cannon, until a clear breach was made 

 in the bastion of Sint J ago ; and thereupon after a bloody 

 and severe assault, Puncto gale fell into our hands on the 

 13th of March. 



The town is situated in, and at the entrance of, a beautiful 

 and pleasant bay, and upon our taking possession of it, and 

 during the following year, we proceeded to fortify it well. 

 Puncto gale had already been provided with fine walls, 

 ramparts, canals, bastions, ports, &c, and within was found 

 to be adorned with pleasant dwellings, lofty buildings, 

 excellent wells, pleasure grounds, and handsome churches, 

 previously built by the Portuguese. These the Dutch have 

 now peaceably occupied for a great number of years. 



The bay of Gale is spacious, and very well fitted for 

 harbouring a large number of vessels ; but at the mouth or 

 entrance of it, there are midway in the passage some hidden 

 rocks, which make the entrance into the bay dangerous, as 

 was proved in the case of the fine ship Hercules, which was 

 dashed into a thousand pieces on them. On this account 

 an experienced pilot has been placed at Puncto gale, in order 

 to pilot incoming and outgoing ships. The sea likewise 

 rises high during the prevalence of the westerly winds, and 

 it is very rough in the bay, whereby the ships are sometimes 

 not a little tossed. No ships, whether friend or foe, can 

 come to anchor in this bay, without passing very close to the 

 strong water and sea forts, which are all provided with 

 heavy guns. The town lies for the most part on a height, 

 and is open along the seaside, being sufficiently fortified by 

 sharp rocks and the rough sea. There may also be seen on 



