Like that celebrated fortress, it stood on rocky ground at the end of a promontory, connected with the mainland by a narrow neck of ground, at the month of a small estuary.

James found that it was less formidable than it had been represented, and that large ships could go close in.

To prevent Toolajee's ships from escaping, the _Bridgewater_, _Kingsfisher_, and _Revenge_ were sent to blockade the place till the expedition was ready to start.
On the 11th February, the whole force was assembled off Gheriah, a greater armament than had yet ever left Bombay harbour.

In addition to Watson's squadron of six vessels, four of them line-of-battle ships, and displaying the flags of two admirals, the Company's marine made a brave show of eighteen ships, large and small, carrying two hundred and fourteen guns, besides twenty fishing-boats to land troops with, each carrying a swivel-gun in the bows.

Between them they carried eight hundred European and six hundred native troops.