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| ILLUSTRATIVE ACCOUNT OF CAPTAIN COLE'S SPLENDID ACHIEVEMENT IN THE CAPTURE OF THE ISLAND OF BANDA |
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23 Aug 2010 (534 days ago)
The Island of Amboyna having been captured by a naval force, under the orders of Captain Tukcker, Rear-Admiral Drury commanding in those Seas, anxious to place in perfect security so valueble a Possession, directed Captain Cole to receive on board His Majesty's Ship Caroline, a detachment of 130 men, and to proceed with them to reinforce the garrison of that place.
The confidence which had been invariebly reposed by that officer in Capt. Cole, induced him to solicit of the Admiral a discretionary power for an attempt on Banda Neira, notwithstanding the smallness of the force under his orders; to which Admiral Drudy readily acceded, at the same time cautioning Captain cole of the very considerable strenght of Banda, an Island known to be of difficult access, to have numerous well appointed Batteries, and a disciplined force far beyond any which could be spared for its attack.
Underterred by these circumstances, Captain Cole in the Caroline, accompanied by his Majesty's Ship Piedmontaise-Captain Foote, and Barracouta Brig – Captain Kenah, and having on board 130 men of the madras European Regiment, commaded by Captain Nixon, left Madras in the month of May 1810. Having furnished themselves with scaling ladders and field pleces at Penang, the two following months were occupied in a most intricate navigation through the Eastern Seas, and in exercising the seamen and marines detined for the attack ( who did not exceed 250 men) with the musquet, pike, pistol, and cutlass, a species of discipline which was afterward to prove of essential service. They wre taught also to use of scaling ladders, the circumascribed means Captain Cole possessed leaving no chance of success but by escalade. Thus prepared- Captain Cole proceeded to the attack, which the following official documents, aided by a correct View of the Island, and a Plan of the Firtifications, will, it is presumed, sufficiently illustrate. When the great strenght of the place, and the difficulties of the undertaking, with the vast disparity of the attacking force to that of the enemy are duly considered, the capture of Banda Neira will unquestionably appear to the public as it does to the writer of this article, - an achievement which, for boldness of conception in the design, and daring courage in the execution, has rarely been equalled, perhaps never excelled, in the annals of British enterprize.
Captain Cole's Letter to His Excellency Wm O'Bryen Drury, Esq. Rear-Admiral of the Red, Commander in Chief, &c. &c, &c.
SIR, H.M.S. CAROLINE, Banda Harbour, Aug. 10, 1810.
I HAVE the honour and happiness of acquainting you with the capture if Banda Neira, the chief of the Spice Islands, on the 9th of August, by a portion of the force under my orders, in consequence of a night attack, which completely surprised the enemy, although the approach of the Ships had been unavoidably discovered the day before.
The weather proved of unfavourable for the Boat service on the night of the 8th Instant, that although nearly 400 officers and men had been selected for the occasion, yet, on assembling under Great Banda at two in the following morning, I found that the state if the weather would deprive us of the services of some valueble men, under Lieutenant Stevens of the Royal' Marines, and the greater part of the Detachment of the Mandras European Regiment, from whom I had expected the most steady support and assistance.
The attempt was now to be made with less than 200 men, consisting of the Seamen and Marines, and about 40 of the Madras European Regiment, or our labours in the Boats, through a dark and squally night in the open sea, must end in the severest mortification.
After getting under the shelter if the land, the same circumstances of the weatherm which before operated against us, were now favourable to us, and the confidence I had in the handful if Officers and Men about me, meft me no hesitation; and with a degree of silence and firmness that will ever command my heartfalt acknowledgements, the Boats proceeded to the point of debarkation – a dark cloud with rain covered out landing, within an hunderd yards if Battery of 10 guns, where, by the promptitude and activity of Captain Kenah and Lieutenant Carew, who were ordered with the Pikemen to the attack, the Battery was taken in the rear, and an officer and his guard made prisoners without a musquet being fired, although the enemy were at their guns, with matches lighted. From the near approach of daylight, out situation became critical; but we had procured a native Guide to carry us to the walls of the Castle of Belgica; and, after leaving a guard over the prisoners, and in charge of the Battery, the oarty made a rapid movement round the skirts of the Batterym the party made a rapid movement round the skirts of the Town, where the sound of the Bugle was spreading alarm amongst the enemy. In twenty minutes the scaling ladders were placed against the walls of the outer Pentagon of Belgica; and the first musquets fired were by the enemy's sentries. The gallantry and activity with which the scaling ladders were hauled up after the out-work was carried, and places for attacked of the inner-work, under a sharp fire from the Garrison, ezceed all praise. The enemy, after firing their gunsm and keeping up an ineffectual discharge of musquetry for ten or fifteen minutes, fled in all directions, and through the gateway, leaving the Colonel-Commandant and 10 others dead, and 2 officers and 30 prosoners in our hands. Captain Kenah, Lieutenant Carew, Allen, Pratt, Walker, and Lyons, of the Navy, Lieutenant Yates and Ensign Allen ( a vonlunteer) of the Madras Service, were amongst the foremost in the escalade; and my thanks are due to Captain- Lieutenant Nixon, of the Mandras European Regiment, for the steady and officers-like conduct with which he directed the covering party entrusted to his charge; and to Lieutenants Brown and Deaker, of the Regiment, attached to Marines.
With such examples, our brave fellows swept the Ranparts like a whirlwind; and, in addition to the providential circumstances of the service beng performed with scarcely a hurt or wound, I have the satisfaction of reporting, that there was no instance of irregularity arising from success.
The day now beaming on the British Flag, discovered to us the Fort of nassau, and the Sea Defences at our feet, and the enemy at their guns at the different posts. I dispatched Captain Kenah with a Flag of Truce to the Governor, requiring the Immediate surrender of Nassau, and with a promise if protection for private property. At sunrise the Dutch Flag was holsted in Nassau, and the Sea Batteries opened a fire in the Caroline. (followed by the Piedmontaise and Barracouta) then approaching the harbour. Having selected a detachment to secure Belgica, the remainder with their scaling ladders were ordered for the immediate storm of Naussau; but Captain Kenah had returned with the verbal submission of the Governor, and I was induced to send a second flag, stating my determination to storm Nassau that instant, and lay the town in ashes, if the Colours wre not immediately struck. This threat, and a well-placed shot from Belgica ( which completely commands all the principal defences) into one of the Sea Batteried, produced an immediate and unqualified submission, and we found ourselves in possession if the two Forts and several Batteries, mounting 120pieces of cannon, and defended by nearly 700 disciplined troops, besides the Militia.
The ships had been left with so few men to mange them, that I had merely directed Captain Foote to lead into any anchorage that he might be able to abtain, to make a diversion in our favour; but they worked against all the unfavourable circumstances of a dark and squally night, in a narrow channel, with the most determined perseverance, and with that degree of zeal that I expected from an officer of my won rank, whose heart and hand had always been with me on every point of public service.
Captain Kenah, who led the storming party, crowned a series of valuable services, during two months difficult and intricate navigation through the Eastern Seas, by his bravery and activity on shore.
The Colours of Forts Nassau and Belgica will be presented to your Excellency by Lieutenant john Gilmour, who has served nine years in this country as a Lieutenantm, and a large portion of that time as first Lieutenant under my command. Although labouring under severe illness, he took charge of the ship on my quitting her, and his seaman-like and zealous conduct in the discharge of his trust were most conspicuous. I beg leave most earnestly to recommend him to your notice.
I also transmit a Plan of the Defences of banda Neira, with the position of the Dutch troops, and our route from the landing-place to Belgica. The enemy had advanced a strong corps towards the place where Admiral Rainer's forces had formerly landed; and a suspicion that this would be the case, and that the roads would be destroyed, determined me as to the point and method of our attack.
The service performed was of such a peculiar nature, that u could not do justice to the merits of my companions without entering much into detail: and I feel confident, that in your Excellency's disposition to appreciate duly the merits of those under your command, I shall find an excuse for having taken up so much of your time.
I have the honour to be, & c.
(Signed) CHRISTOPHER COLE.
To His Excellency Admiral DRURY, &c.
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Vice Admiral William O'Bryen Drury, Esq. Commander in Chief if His Majesty's Ships and Vessels in the East Indies, to Christopher Cole, Esq. Captain Of His Majesty's Ship Caroline
SIR,
I HAVE had great satisfaction in the highly flattering communication you have made to me of the sentiments of yourself. If and brave companions, who so nobly and successfully stormed the supposed Impregnable Fortress of Banda Neira, The colours of which, with 2 guns, taken under your auspices, by you, Sir, and a handful of men composed of the Seamen and Marines of His Majesty's Ships, and the intrepid Officers and Solders of the Honourable east India Company's European Troops, confer on me an honour and happiness far beyond my deserts; but most gratefully and thankfully received, as coming from a body of men so highly and peculiarly distinguished.
The Colours I shall take the earliest opportunity of laying at His Majesty's feet.
I beg of you Sir, to accept the poor acknowledgements I can make, for the handsome manner of making the sentiments of the Banda Heroes known to me, whose heartfelt encomiums on their gallant leader, do equal honour and justice to themselves, by placing on your brow a never-fading Laurel.
I have the honour to be, & c.
(Signed) Wm, O'B Drury
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Extracts from a Public Letter from the Governor-General in Council to Captain Christopher Cole.
Paragraph 1.- I am directed by the Right Honourable the Governor in Council to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 29th ultimo, relative to the late successful operations of the force employes under your command in the reduction of the Island of Banda.
Paragraph II,- The details of this brillaint achievement and of your arrangements, for the administration and security of the Island, as reported by you and Captain Nixon to the Government of Fort St. George, have been communicated to his Lordship in Council; who odserves with just admiration, the judgement, ability, and foresight manifested by you in the plan of attack; and the zeal intrepidity, and precision whith which it was carried into effect by the gallant officers and men of the Naval and Military Service under your direction. His Lordship in Council considers the rapid conquest of a place so strongly fortified by nature and by art, in the face of a superior force, without the loss of a man as forming a singular event in the annals of British Enterprize, reflecting a peculiar degree of credit on your professional skill, and affording an extraordinary instance of discipline, courage, and activity on the part of the officers and men under your command.
Paragraph III,- The Governnor General in Council, considering the eulogium which you have bestowed generally on the detachment of the the Honourable Company's Troops employed on this occasion, and especially on the conduct of their commanding officer Captain Nixon, and of Lieutenant Yates and English Allen, to be highly honourable to them; has directed the expression of his distinguished approbation to conveyed to them generally an d individually, through the channel of the Residenr at Amboyna; combined with a desire that the Resident will take advantage of any future opportunity of rewarding the services of these officers, whose exertions have claimed your specific commendations, by placing them in situations of trust and Importance, which local arrangements may render necessary, and the regulations of the Military Service and their respective rank and qualifications may enable them to fill.
In addition to the foregoing detailed account of the capture of this valueble Spice Island, and the eulogies bestowed on the gallant Commander and the Forces under his orders by Rear-Admiral Drury and the Governor General in Council, it will no doubt be gratifying to peruse the following. Testimonials of the estimation in which Captain Cole's conduct and services were held by his brave companions.
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Captains Foote and Kanah to Captain Cole.
H.M.S. PIEDMONTAISE, Banda Harbour, Aug. 15, 1810
MY DEAR COLE,
KENAH and myself request your acceptance of a Silver Cup ( to be made in England) in commemoration of the gallant manner you led on to, and directed the attack and capture of the Forts at Banda : It may possible have been equalled, but never can be surpassed – We therefore hope you will receive it as a testimony of our high esteem and friendship, and admiration of your spirited and noble conduct on the 9th of August; most sincerely do we both wish that you may live long to enjoy the fruits of your labour, and to follow up your present success – and believe us, my dear Cole.
Your sincere and affectionate Friends,
(Signed) CHARLES FOOTE.
RICHARD KENAH.
To Christopher Cole, Esq. Captain of His Majesty's Ship Caroline, and Senior Officer, &c. &c. &c.
SIR,
WE, the undersigned Officer of His Majesty's Ships Caroline, Piedmontaise, and Barracouta, beg leave to present you with a Sword (value One Hundred Guineas) in testimony of our admiration of the gallant and judicious manner in which you conducted the attack on Banda Neira, on the night of the 9th of August, and consequently the final reduction of the Spice Islands.
Banda Harbour, Aug, 18, 1810
(Signed,)
Caroline. Piedmontaise.. Barracouta.
J. GILMOUR, T. CAREW, J. WHITE,
S. ALLEN, R. WALKER, E. LYONS,
G. PRATT, R. BARKER, S. G. DANCE, Surg.
A. SMART, Master G. CUMMING, Master J. SCOTT, Purser
T. DODS, Surgeon. A. STEPHENS, R.M.
J. SEWARD, Purser J. LINCOLN, Surgeon.
F. LYNCH J. JACOBS, Purser.
A. BUCHANAN.
Captain Cole to Captain Foote.
MY DEAR FOOTE,
I HAVE just received the joint Letter from you and Kenah- you will both, understand my feelings, when I tell you that I am quite unequal to the expression of them on the present occasion. Your Cup Shall always be with me, and will ever produce the proudest recollection of my past service.
Your's ever, my good Friends.
(Signed) CHRISTOPHER COLE.
Banda, August 10,1810
Captain Cole's Letter to Lieut. Carew of the Piedmontaise, Lieut. Gilmour of the Caroline, and Lieut. White of the Barracouta.
H.M.S. CAROLINE, Banda Harbour, Aug. 18, 1810
SIR,
I HAVE just received a joint letter from the Officers of the three Ships under my orders, requesting my acceptance of a Sword, on the result of our efforts for the capture of Banda.
I accept it in remembrance of the greatest zeal and harmony which has made me one of the happinest of men, and which, next to the approbation of my superiors, will constitute the most grateful recollection of thirty years servitude.
I am your's, very obediently.
(Signed) CHRISTOPHER COLE.
To Lieut Carew & c.
To Christopher Cole, Esq Captain of His Majesty's Ship Caroline, and Senior Officer commanding the Forces at Banda.
Banda Neira, August 22, 1810
SIR.
IN addressing you upon the capture of Banda Neira and its Dependencies, which secured to the British Flag a conquest of great value, the Officers of the Honourable Company's Troop engaged in the enterprize, have to congratulate you and themselves upon the successful issue, under very disadvantage of wind and weather, upon a hostile shore lined with numerous Batteries; the enemy aware of, and prepared for an attack, so wisely planned, and ably carried into execution under your personal direction.
The confidence you inspired all with on the approach to assault Belgica, we are convinced contributed in a great measure to the success of the escalade. Your bravery and gallant conduct were so conspicuous on that occasion, that it must secure you the esteem and adniration of all who are acquainted, as we are, with the circumstances attending the reduction of that strong and important Citadel.
As a memorial of the high sense we entertain of the services performed by you on this occasion, and as a mark of our personal esteem and respect, we request you will do us the honour to accept of a Sword of the value of One Hundred Guineas.
We further beg leave to assure you, that our warmest wishes for your future success and happiness will always attend you, in whatever situation it may please Providence to fix your lot.
(signed)
G.L. NIXON,Capt.,M.E.Reg P.BROWN, Lt. M.E. Reg.
G.ALEXANDER, Surgeon W.JONES DECKER, Lt. M.E.R.
C.W.YATES, Lt. Artillery B. HOOPER, Lt. M.E. Reg.
Wm. DAVENANT, Lt. Mt. E.Reg CHA. ALLEN, Eng, 21st M.N.I.
JAMES STEWART, LT. M.E. Reg.
Captain Cole to Captain Nixon
H.M.S. CAROLINE, Banda Harbour, August 23, 1810
SIR,
I ACCEPT with heartfelt satisfaction the memorial offered to me by the Officers of the Honourable Company's Troops, of the fortunate issue of our united efforts for the capture of Banda. Nothing but the firmest reliance on the personal exertions of every individual on shore and afloat could have given me confidence for the attempt; and next to my gratitude to Providence for the many unlooked-for circumstances with operated in our favour, I shall remember the general zeal which actuated the whole, and, in particular, the cordial co-operation and goodwill of you and the Officers under your command.
I am, SIR, &c.
(Signed) CHRISTOPHER COLE.
A short Account of BANDA NEIRA, and its dependent SPICE ISLAND
According to a Letter from Mr. Edmund Lyons, one of the Lieutenants of the Barracouta, which was printed in the Morning Post, Feb 16, 1811, it appears, the Banda Neira, and its Depedencies, annually export £ 900,000 worth of Spices to Batavia. About £100,000 worth was found at the time of the capture. Besides the 700 disciplined troops of the Enemy who surrendered to Captain Cole. Mr. Lyons stated the Militia as amounting to 300. according to Moreri, Banda was a name the common to six of the Molucca Islands, called Lowtor, Nera, Puloway, Pulorin, Bassingin, and Gunapi, or Gumanapa, in the latter of which was a Volcano. The Portuguese under Antonio de Britto, discovered these Islands in 1511, and were afterwards driven from them by the Ducth, who took possesson in 1609. These Islands, are mentioned by Osorio, Bishop of Sylves, in his Portuguese History, during the Reign of Emanuel, as being called the five Islands of Banda, situated a little to southward of Amboyna, and then producing vast quantities of Nutmeg Trees. Mickle, ina note to his excellent Portuguese Asia, prefixed to his Translation of Camoens Lusiadas, gives the following extracts from fasia y Jousae : “ Before these our discoveries, the Spicery and Riches of the eastern World were brought to Europe with great charge and immense trouble. The merchandise of the Clove of Molucca, the Mace and Nutmegs of Banda, the Sandal Wood of Timor, the Camphire of Borneo, the Gold and Silver of Luconia, the Spices, Drugs, Dyes, and Perfumes, and all the various riches of China. Jave, Siam, and the adjacent Kingdoms, centered in the City of Mollucca, in the Golden Chersonesus.” The Banda Islands. Are supposed to contain 5,000 Inhabitants. Who are said to have amounted formerly to 15,000. Moreri speaks of the air of the island of Banda as being very salubrious, but the contrary has been asserted by other writers. The largest of these Islands is scarecely 20 miles in length.
Published by : Yayasan Warisan Dan Budaya Banda(Banda's Cultural& Heritage foundation)
Address : Rumah Budaya Banda Naira Moluccas-East Indonesia |
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