Since then the formidable power of Angria had arisen, but nothing had been done to improve the defences of the settlement.

Boone's first care was to trace out an enclosing wall, the building of which was to be paid for by contributions from the native merchants.
At the same time he set to work to build fighting ships.

Within a few months of his arrival, the _Britannia_, eighteen guns, built at Carwar, the _Fame_, sixteen guns, built at Surat, and the _Revenge_, sixteen guns, built at Bombay, were flying the Company's flag.

It was easier to build ships than to get sailors to man them, in view of the miserable pay given by the Company, and the attractions of service under native chiefs.

Many of the crews were foreigners, who were ready enough to take service with Angria, if the inclination took them, and the bulk of the crews were Indian lascars.