Yesterdate: This day from Kolkata’s past, November 9, 1797

On this day, the French privateer captured the British vessel Harrington off Sand Heads (Balasore Roads).

Harrington had been built in Kolkata in 1796. It reached Mauritius on December 21.

Harrington was part of the Bengal Pilot Service, which was a wing of the British East India Company.

The pilot boats were responsible for guiding East Indiamen, and other ships, along the Hooghly River between Kolkata and the sea.

The pilot service vessels, with their function, were transferred to the Indian Navy in 1834.