Page 30 - Anglo Portuguese Rivalry in The Gulf_Neat

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repair, whilst there was no port with dockyard facilities The Portuguese made sail at the same time and
any nearer than Muscat. Furthermore, the shortage kept ahead of the allied squadron all night, when the
of water had by now become acute, whilst the ships weather freshened and Ruy Freyre’s galliots were
were crowded with dead and wounded. Despite all compelled to return to Larak, having first sent some
\ * these unfavourable circumstances, however, Botelho
V refused to be cowed, and the most he would consent to soldiers on board the galleons as reinforcements. At
tj noon on the 24th, the allies came up with the
do was to sail across to the anchorage in the neigh­ Portuguese, who had shortened sail to wait for them,
bouring islet of Larak, where he anchored to await the
*1 when both sides “ fell to it pell mell, our ordnance
\! departure of the Anglo-Dutch squadron from gov/inge off as fast as smalle shott.” During this action
1 Gombrun. In taking this decision he was supported
5: the English concentrated all their efforts on Botelho’s
by Ruy Freyre d’Andrade and the acting Vice-Admiral, flagship, “ not so much looking after or heeding the
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Dom Francisco Coutinho, against the practically unani­ . other ships,” but the Portuguese commander did not
mous opinion of all the other captains of the armada.1 flinch from his station, until he was eventually relieved
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The allies had refrained from attacking Botelho in by Antonio Telles in the Sao Sebastiao, which “ crept
l: t! his refuge, since they knew their foe to be “ implacable, in betwixt the James and the Portugall Admirall, lying
i malicious and politique,” or, in other words, very good as a Bulwarke to weather off her, to receive all. that
1! enemies, as Laird Clowes observes. They busied might be put upon her, and indeed all that was meant
!• themselves with taking on board their cargoes, and to have been bestowed upon the Admirall was still
refitting their ships as best they could. Meanwhile, plyed upon that great Hulke.” The scene of this
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the Persians were desperately anxious to persuade them battle was some six leagues to the South-east of Cape
to stay and help them against the Portuguese ; but this Musandam; and the fight whilst it lasted was the hottest
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the Dutch refused to do on any terms, whilst the of the three, “ and hotter it would have proved, had
English did not consider themselves strong enough to not the approaching darkness of the unwelcome night
do so alone, although the Governor of Gombrun cryed a requiem to our bloudy resolutions.” By this
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offered them a bribe of 500 Tumans a month if they time both sides were short of ammunition, and neither
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:! would do so. Accordingly the allied squadron put out being anxious to have “ t’other odd bout,” they stood
! l\ to sea on February 23rd with fourteen sail, including away on their respective courses, the English for Swally
, I three Indian vessels, and carrying two Persian Ambassa­
fit and the Portuguese for Muscat.
If dors destined for England, and Holland respectively.* \ Needless to say, both sides were loud in their claims
I | of victory after the last of these memorable actions had
!!':i xDom Francisco Coutinho had come from Goa to join Ruy Freyre’*
squadron; in the same galliot in which Della Valle was travelling to Basra, been fought, but whether any real advantage was
! it' Tne Italian traveller is loud in his praises of the conduct and courage of
! ii Dom Francisco ; and that these praises were amply justified is proved by the gained by either party is more than doubtful. The
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courage displayed by him not only on this occasion, but in later years against allied squadron had undoubtedly inflicted far heavier
*,i the Dutch off Malacca. (Della Valle, Travels, Chapter X, pp. 235-239.)
losses on their opponents, both in men and material, I
•Naqd Ali Beg in the Star for England, whence he returned with Sir
Robert Sherley in 1627 i an^ Musa Beg in the Maagd van Dort for Holland, than they had received, and thus far they could claim a
I whence he likewise returned in the same year. tactical success. But on the other hand, the Portuguese
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