That Part Of The Western Coast Of India, Which Is Properly Called The
Coast Of Malabar, Extends From Cananor To Cochin For The Space Of 42
Leagues.
From Cananor it is two leagues to the small island of
Tremapatan, within which is a good river; thence
Half a league to the
river of Sal, thence one and a half to the river Maim; one to the
town of Comena, a small distance beyond which are the towns of
Motangue, Curiare, and Baregare: thence to the river Pudepatan;
two leagues farther the town of Tiracole; other two leagues the town
of Cotulete; one league from this the river Capocate; one league
farther Calicut; two more to the river Chale; two to the city
Pananor; two thence to Tanor; two more to Paranora; one more to
the famous river Paniane; thence nine to Paliporto; four to the
river of Cranganor; and five more to Cochin. At the mouth of the
river Pudepatan the fort of Cuneale is seated in a square peninsula
formed by several creeks, and joined to the land on the south side, the
length of the four sides being about a cannon shot each. Just within the
bar there is sufficient water for ships of some size, which may go about
half way up the port; beyond that it is only fit for almadias or
boats. The river runs first towards the north-east, then turning to the
south forms the peninsula in which the fort is built, the isthmus being
secured by a strong wall about a musket-shot in length, reaching
between the creek and the river, at the mouth of which is the small
island Pinale. The fort was large, strongly built, well manned, and had
abundance of cannon, ammunition, and provisions.
In this emergency, Cuneale was well provided for defence, having a force
of 1500 choice Moors, well armed, whom he distributed to the different
posts. The small vessels under Noronha cannonaded the fort, principally
on purpose to draw off the attention of the Moors, that they might not
interrupt the zamorin on the land side, who was establishing his camp
for the purpose of the siege. At the same time, Noronha scoured the
coast, taking some of the piratical vessels belonging to Cuneale, and
preventing the introduction of provisions into the fort. After some
time, Don Luis de Gama, brother to the viceroy, arrived with four
gallies and 35 smaller vessels, ten more being brought by private
gentlemen at their own charge, and three full of men and ammunition sent
by the city of Cochin. Besides these, there were two large barks mounted
with heavy cannon to batter the fort.
The rajah of Cochin, being apprehensive that the great power which was
now employed against Cuneale might prove his ruin, by uniting the
zamorin his ancient enemy with the Portuguese, circulated a report that
the zamorin had entered into a secret agreement with Cuneale to cut off
the whole Portuguese when engaged in the assault on the fort.
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