Page 124 - The Pirate Coast (By Sir Charles Belgrave)

on either side. It was, of course, my object to avoid this, owing
to the disparity in numbers, they having on board their four
vessels no less than 800 men, the Eden having 118 at this period.’
It appears that two of the dhows were captured vessels, being
towed by the others. ‘The advantage in gun was greatly in our
favour, we having 36 of large calibre, they having 14 of smaller
calibre, and ill served; besides which, we had the advantage in
point of manoeuvre.’
It was a beautiful, clear, moonlit night, and the breeze which
had come up was favourable to the Eden. At 11.30 p.111. the
Eden was within pistol shot of the pirates. The helm was put to
port, and the three pirate ships on the larboard bow were given
the larboard broadside of round and grape shot. At the same
time, as the ship swung round, the marines on the gangway poured
their muskets into the pirate vessels. This forced the pirates to
sheer off, some of them in a crippled condition, with their sails
flapping round the masts, and the ships almost unmanageable.
The Eden's helm was now put hard a’starboard, and her guns
were brought to bear on the other three pirates, forcing them to
stretch every stick of canvas, hauling in for the shore. The first
ship reached Ras al Kliaima with great difficulty. All sail was
made again in chase of the other pirates; they were three large
baggalas. One of the dhows in tow was picked up by the
Eden's boats, the chase then continued. The pirates, in their hurry
to escape, ran their vessels on to a coral shoal close to the shore,
and the sharp, jagged teeth of the coral rocks tore through their
bottoms. But they were near enough to the shore for the men
to escape, flinging themselves into the water, and swimming
ashore. The Eden hauled out into deeper water, to avoid the
same fate as the pirate dhows, once again discharging her starboard
broadside at them. Those of the crews of the pirate ships who
were able to do so, eventually made their way to Ras al Khaima.
The pirate ships which had been taken, were afterwards repaired
by men of the Sultan’s frigates, and were taken to Muscat. Not
a man from the Eden was touched, although there were many
shot marks on her hull and sails.
The dhow which had been cut adrift and picked up by the Eden
contained two people from Muscat, a gun laskar who had been
taken prisoner, and a pirate who had slipped into the boat when
I the fighting started, hoping to make his escape. The Indian laskar
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