While this was going on, a Dutch squadron of seven ships of war and seven sloops attacked Gheriah, and were beaten off. A little later, Sumbhajee took the _Jupiter_, a French ship of forty guns, with four hundred slaves on board. To English, Dutch, French, and Portuguese alike, his fortresses were impregnable.
In January, 1740, a gallant action was fought by the _Harrington_, Captain Jenkins. The _Harrington_ was returning from a voyage to China, and, in coming up the coast, had joined company with the _Pulteney_, _Ceres_, and _Halifax_. Between Tellicherry and Bombay they were attacked by fifteen sail of Angria's fleet. Four grabs ran alongside the _Harrington_, but were received with such a well-directed fire that they dropped astern. The four Company's ships then formed line abreast, and were attacked from astern by Angria's ships. The brunt of the fight fell on the _Harrington_. Jenkins had trained his crew, and was prepared for this method of attack. After five hours of heavy firing the Angrian ships drew off, showing confusion and loss. At daylight the next morning they attacked again. The _Ceres_ had fallen to leeward, and three grabs attacked her, while three more bore down on the _Harrington_ to windward. Disregarding his own attackers, Jenkins bore down on the assailants of the _Ceres_, and drove them off; then, hauling his wind, he awaited the attack of the others. The three leeward grabs were towed up within range, and for the next two or three hours the _Harrington_ engaged all six, almost single-handed. The wind had fallen; the _Ceres_ and _Halifax_ were out of gunshot; the _Pulteney_ alone was able to give assistance at long range. So well served were the _Harrington's_ guns that she inflicted more damage than she received, and, by ten o'clock, four of the grabs gave up the contest and were towed away to windward. The other two grabs continued the action for some time, till they also were towed out of action. The two squadrons, just out of gunshot of each other, consulted among themselves. Jenkins found he had only seven rounds left for his big guns, and his consorts, which were more lightly armed, were in little better plight to renew the combat. Still, he put a good face on it, showing no unwillingness to continue the fight; and, on a breeze springing up, the Angrians drew off, leaving the East Indiamen to pursue their voyage. Only one man on board the _Harrington_ was wounded, though the ship was much knocked about. Jenkins was much commended for his skill and courage, and two years later we find him acting as Commodore of the Company's fleet at Bombay.