Trincomalee

Trincomalee, a seaport, naval station, and magnificent harbour on the north-east coast of Ceylon, 110 miles NE. of Kandy. The town is built on a bold peninsula, which divides the inner and outward harbours. Here the Malabar invaders of Ceylon built the 'Temple of a Thousand Columns,' to which pilgrims flocked from all parts of India. This celebrated shrine was demolished in 1622 by the Portuguese, who fortified the heights with the materials derived from its destruction. It was next held by the Dutch, and subsequently by them and the French alternately, until the capture of Ceylon by the British in 1795. The modern town is in no way remarkable, and, with the exception of the official buildings (barracks, residences of civil, military, and naval authorities), makes a poor appearance, though there is a fine esplanade. The Bay of Trincomalee is landlocked, and presents a scene of tranquil beauty; the harbour is renowned for its extent and security; unlike every other in the Indian seas, it is accessible to every description of craft in every variation of weather, but unluckily it lies out of the course of trade, Colombo having in this respect a great advantage over it. There is an admiralty dockyard, and the fortifications have been strengthened. Pop. 10,180.