He had been brought up in a good school, and knew that, to match a ship against a fort with success, it was necessary to get as close as possible, and overpower it with weight of metal.

After taking the necessary soundings, on the 2nd April he stood in to four-fathom water, taking with him the _Viper_ and _Triumph_, and bombarded Severndroog fort.
The Mahratta fleet gave no assistance, so the _Swallow_ was detached to guard the southern entrance.

All day long the cannonade continued, till a heavy swell setting into the harbour, in the evening, obliged a cessation of fire.

The fort fired briskly in return, but did little damage; while the Mahratta fleet lay off out of range, idle spectators of the conflict.
At night came Ramajee Punt on board the _Protector_, bringing with him a deserter from the fort, who reported that the Governor had been killed and a good deal of damage done.

He told them that it was impossible to breach the side on which the _Protector's_ fire was directed, as it was all solid rock.
In the morning, the _Protector_ weighed and ran in again, James placing his ships between Severndroog and Gova.