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Following the death of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tukkoji Tukkoji], Rajah of [[Tanjore]] there was a struggle for the succession. The British hoped to extend their influence on the Coromandel Coast and agreed to help Shahuji, one of the claimants, recover the throne of Tanjore. Towards the end of March 1749 they sent Captain Cope with 430 Europeans , 1000 sepoys and some artillery overland and battering cannon by sea to capture the fort of Devikottai. This expedition On 14 April a monsoon storm blew away the tents, killed many transport animals and damaged the stores of the land force. Worse befell the naval squadron. Admiral Boscawen's flagship [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Namur_(1697) HMS Namur] was wrecked and 520 crew drowned, HMS Pembroke ran aground with only 12 men saved and the hospital ship Apollo lost. On approaching Devi Cotah it was forced clear to retire Captain Cope that they would not be supported by Tanjore forces and on they were not strong enough to assault the fort. The British force then retreated to Fort St David. On 27 May Major Lawrence Stringer, with Capt. Scrimsour and Capt Dalton left Fort St David by sea on the ships [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Exeter_(1697) Exeter] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Harwich_(1743) Harwich]. Siege batteries were set up and Devikottai was captured on 23 June. The Company however concluded a treaty with Pratap Singh the incumbent Rajah. Under this they kept the fort and pensioned off Shahuji.