Skip to item: of 622
Information about this record Back to top
Open in Universal viewer
Open in Mirador IIIF viewer

'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎55] (74/622)

This item is part of

The record is made up of 1 volume (575 pages). It was created in 1877. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: Printed Collections.

Transcription

This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.

Apply page layout

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
05
appointed to inquire into the best means of establishing steam
communication with India, assembled under the presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. of
Lord William Bentinck, the late Governor-General, and much
interesting and important evidence was adduced from the
examination of experts, including many officers of the Indian
Navy. Lord William Bentinck was himself the last witness
examined, and proposed that the Indian Navy, which, he stated,
cost .£100,000 per annum, should consist of five steamers,
allotting three to the packet service and two to the general
service; and he reiterated his opinion that the whole should be
placed under the Admiralty, and the Royal Navy should
undertake the duties hitherto performed by the Company's
Service. ^ . , , „
On the 25th of August, 1837, the ' Berenice left with the
first mail on the monthly system, but broke her shaft and put
back; the ' Atalanta,' which had conveyed one to the Persian
Gulf, proceeded to Suez in the following month, and from that
date, except during the prevalence of the south-west monsoon, the
mail service was regularly maintained. But this boon was given
to the public well-nigh at the cost of the efficiency of the Indian
Navy as a war marine. In taking this step the Court showed
the cloven hoof of a commercial corporation, from the exigencies
of which the legislation of 1833 had freed them; had they
consulted only the best interests of the Service, they would have
beach, are as healthy as England. The coals could be put in hulks. In the
passage from Bombay to Mocha, in the south-west monsoon, sailing vessels never
attempt to go straight across, but run down to the south of the and get the
south-east trade, and shape their course to the westward by the Seychelles, run
into about the longitude of Socotra, and then go due north for Cape Gardalm;
the average voyage would be about forty days. Our steamers go across the
Arabian Sea, from Bombay to Muscat, at all seasons, and the average passage is
twenty-one days during the south-west monsoon; there is more importance
attached to that monsoon than it deserves. There would be no difficulty m a
steamer like the ' Berenice' passing during the south-west monsoon from Bombay
to Socotra. Quitting Bombay, she should be put on her starboard tack, set sails,
and run down to latitude 8° or 9° north, thence steam to the westward into 52«
longitude, and then shape the course for Cape Gardafui. At some period ot the
monsoon, about two months, it would be practicable to go direct from Bombay to
Socotra. Macullah is the best place for a depot that can be selected m the north
east monsoon, in the south-west it cannot be approached. Aden would answer
very well for a depot in both monsoons, having two harbours. In the south
west monsoon you cannot look to the Arabian coast for coals; with a depot at
Socotra. none will be needed on the Arabian coast outside the Straits of
Babelmandel. There is no difficulty in a steamer, of power like the ' Berenice,
going through the Straits up to Suez at any season of the year.
Mr. Peacock, of the India House, who had been examined betore the bteam
Committee of 1834, was of opinion " that Camaran Island is a very much better
station than Mocha, which will not do for these steamers, because no vessel
drawing more than ten and a-half feet of water can go into the inner anchorage,
and the water is exposed to a great swell. The 'Atalanta draws sixteen feet.
The best depot between Suez and India is the island of Perim, in the Straits ot
Babelmandel; the next the island of Camaran ; his opinion was not favourable
to Socotra, and he did not see that we want it. Mocha is decidedly bad.
Sir John Hobhouse, President of the Board of Control Formally known as the Board of Commissioners for the Affairs of India, it was established by an Act of Parliament in 1784 to supervise the activities of the East India Company. , spoke of the proposal

About this item

Content

History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).

Author: Charles Rathbone Low.

Publication Details: London: Richard Bentley and Son, New Burlington Street.

Physical Description: initial Roman numeral pagination (i-vi); octavo.

Extent and format
1 volume (575 pages)
Arrangement

This volume contains a table of contents giving chapter headings and page references. Each chapter heading is followed by a detailed breakdown of the contents of that chapter.

Physical characteristics

Dimensions: 229mm x 140mm

Written in
English in Latin script
View the complete information for this record

Use and share this item

Share this item
Cite this item in your research

'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎55] (74/622), British Library: Printed Collections, IOL.1947.a.1844 vol. 2, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023958179.0x00004b> [accessed 28 March 2024]

Link to this item
Embed this item

Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.

<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023958179.0x00004b">'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [&lrm;55] (74/622)</a>
<a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023958179.0x00004b">
	<img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100023550043.0x000001/IOL.1947.a.1844 vol.2_0074.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" />
</a>
IIIF details

This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100023550043.0x000001/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Use and reuse
Download this image