The Ladies of Mangalore Escape

This account is from a letter written by one of the ladies who escaped from Mangalore.[1] 

The night of the 3rd April was passed with much anxiety, and on the 4th, some of the ladies and children were put on board a boat, to take them to a pattamar, which had been engaged to take them to Cannanore. They had to run through the sun to the beach, and had embarked in such haste, that they could not take anything with them. It would appear that the boatmen were in league with the Moplas, to take them prisoners, for they were for hours rowing about in a burning sun before they reached the pattamar, in which other ladies had already embarked, the boatmen pretending that they could not find her. When they reached the pattamar, the misery they suffered may be conceived, when it is stated that there were crowded in her ten ladies and thirteen children— the number scarcely permitting them to sit down. It consequence of the tide, it was found that the vessel could not cross the bar till midnight. In the mean time, an alarm was given that the Coorgs were coming. Mr. Dumergue now most opportunely came on board, and quieted their fears. He consented to remain there all night, and most fortunately for them he did go; for his presence, it should seem, alone saved the lives of the ladies—he was obliged to stand over the tindal all night with his loaded gun. About midnight the wind became fair for leaving the river, and they hoped to get to sea; but now the pattamar was wrecked, and it is believed intentionally. The boatmen succeeded in getting the vessel into the Mitt', then the anchors were put out and lost, and the helm broken, and the vessel left to the mercy of the waves—she soon began to fill with water, drifting towards the sand-banks.

They were told there was no hope, and that the vessel was sinking. The forlorn situation of all on board maybe imagined, but cannot he described. Although close to the shore, the signals made by Mr. Dumergue, by firing his gun, were unnoticed. Till daylight this continued, the vessel striking most violently upon the rocks; just, however, as all hope seemed over, three boats came off to their assistance, and, with some difficulty, all got safe to land. Drenched as they were with the sea, they had scarcely time to change their dress, when the alarm bugle sounded, and they were again hurried to their boats, to take refuge in the Eamont, which had that morning come in, and been engaged to take them to Cannanore. Just as they had once more re-embarked, and pushed from shore, the firing commenced, and the town was in flames. The boatmen now sought to return, and refused to row them to the Eamont, and this although large sums were offered. The boats would have been allowed to drift on shore, but most fortunately, at that moment, Capt. Shrieve, coming on shore, saw their danger, and rendered them assistance, with all the zeal and alacrity sailors are ever ready to lend to women in distress. By his firmness and perseverance, the ladies were placed in safety on board the Eamont, where they were received most kindly, and every want and wish readily supplied, as we have formerly mentioned.

[1] The Asiatic Journal and Monthly Register for British and Foreign India, China and Australasia, 1837. History: 156