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A Short History of the Flotilla
by
E.A.W. [Capt. E.A. Woods]
                                                             
Oct. 1927 – Issue No. 1
When war was declared against King Tharrawaddy in 1851 amongst the steamers brought over from Calcutta were the “Nerbudda” “Damoodah” and “Lord William Bentinck”  These vessel belonged to the Bengal Marine, a branch of the East India Co’s Navy, they arrived in Rangoon on October 1st 1852.  They were used in the capture of Pegu in November and other operations on the river. 

After the war these steamers were used by Government as dispatch boats, carrying mails etc. from Rangoon to Thayetmyo, which was then the frontier station. 
On April 1st 1855 the “Bentinck” and “Nerbudda” with the flats “Sutlej” and “Panlang” in tow left Rangoon for Amarapooar with the Mission to the King on board.

Until 1864 the river was navigated solely by Government steamers.  In that year the Government sold the three steamers and two flats to Messrs. Todd Findlay of Rangoon.  This company afterwards owned the deep sea steamers “Ava” and “Avagyee” but sold them in the ‘70’s to the B.I.S.N. Co. 

In 1864 the first mail contract was made with Todd Findlay’s to run a service once a month to Thayetmyo at £150 per month.  In 1867 Todd Findlay’s complained that the treaty made in 1862 had not led to any increase in trade with the Burman Empire and they desired the subsidy to be increased to £200 per month.  In answer to this the subsidy was raised to £300 per month.  In December 1867 Mr McCall, the Manager of Todd Findlay’s went to Mandalay to give King Mindon several valuable presents. 

In 1868 the first steamer to Bhamo left Mandalay.  This was the “Col. Fytche,” commanded by Capt. Bacon, she carried Capt. Strover, the first Political Agent to Bhamo.  In that year the General Manager in Rangoon was G.J. Swann, who extended the service not only to Bhamo but also to most of the main creeks of the Lower Provinces.
In 1869 trade increased so much that the Company agreed to send  a mail steamer three times a month not only to Thayetmyo but on to Mandalay, at a reduced rate of £100 per month per ship.

Later weekly communications were opened with Mandalay and a steamer was sent once a month to Bhamo at the end of 1869.

In 1868 the Rev’d. Dr. Marks travelled up to Mandalay in the “Lord William Bentinck” with the “Prome” flat in tow to open the school there in which King Thibaw was afterwards educated.

In 1876 the service was incorporated as the Irrawaddy Flotilla Co. and in 1877 the fleet consisted of 13 steamers and 29 flats. 

In 1878 King Mindon died and King Thibaw ascended the throne. 

Early in 1879 between seventy and eighty queens, princes and princesses were put to death with great brutality.  The outburst of horror and indignation over this caused a strong remonstrance to be made to the King by the British Resident in Mandalay.

In October 1879 the whole of the British Staff was withdrawn from Mandalay, Mr St. Barbe, the Resident at Mandalay, leaving there on October 7th by the “Panthay”  Another Flotilla steamer left the same day and two steamers on their way up river turned back to Thayetmyo as trouble was expected to arise, but later on the Flotilla steamers continued to enter Upper Burma.

The Italian Consul in Mandalay was then M. Andriano, who was also the Flotilla Agent there.

After King Mindon’s death the Flotilla steamers were continually having trouble with the Burmese officials.  In 1878 Capt. Doyle of the “Chindwin” unintentionally trespassed on the river bund at Mandalay by crossing it to avoid a muddy bit of road.  When challenged by the Burmese police he left the bund, but was arrested and placed in the stocks for two hours.  He was later released at the instance of Mr Andriano, the Company’s Agent.
In 1869 trade increased so much that the Company agreed to send  a mail steamer three times a month not only to Thayetmyo but on to Mandalay, at a reduced rate of £100 per month per ship.

Later weekly communications were opened with Mandalay and a steamer was sent once a month to Bhamo at the end of 1869.

In 1868 the Rev’d. Dr. Marks travelled up to Mandalay in the “Lord William Bentinck” with the “Prome” flat in tow to open the school there in which King Thibaw was afterwards educated.

In 1876 the service was incorporated as the Irrawaddy Flotilla Co. and in 1877 the fleet consisted of 13 steamers and 29 flats. 

In 1878 King Mindon died and King Thibaw ascended the throne. 

Early in 1879 between seventy and eighty queens, princes and princesses were put to death with great brutality.  The outburst of horror and indignation over this caused a strong remonstrance to be made to the King by the British Resident in Mandalay.

In October 1879 the whole of the British Staff was withdrawn from Mandalay, Mr St. Barbe, the Resident at Mandalay, leaving there on October 7th by the “Panthay”  Another Flotilla steamer left the same day and two steamers on their way up river turned back to Thayetmyo as trouble was expected to arise, but later on the Flotilla steamers continued to enter Upper Burma.

The Italian Consul in Mandalay was then M. Andriano, who was also the Flotilla Agent there.

After King Mindon’s death the Flotilla steamers were continually having trouble with the Burmese officials.  In 1878 Capt. Doyle of the “Chindwin” unintentionally trespassed on the river bund at Mandalay by crossing it to avoid a muddy bit of road.  When challenged by the Burmese police he left the bund, but was arrested and placed in the stocks for two hours.  He was later released at the instance of Mr Andriano, the Company’s Agent.
April 1928 - Issue No. 3.
Towards the end of 1885, things in Mandalay at last came to such a pitch that the Government decided to take action.  The Burmese Government imposed an outrageous tax on the Bombay Burma Trading Corp. and this together with the fears caused by the massacres of the Royal Princes and Princesses in Mandalay, caused the Government to send an ultimatum to King Thibaw in October. 

The “Ashley Eden,” Capt. J. Cooper in Command, was sent to Mandalay with it.  All her crew volunteered for this dangerous duty and the “Ashley Eden” left for Rangoon on the 22nd October.  Capt. Cooper was ordered to deliver the ultimatum to the King himself and was to wait with banked fires not later than the 5th November for an answer.  The “Ashley Eden,” left Mandalay with the answer and on her way down was fired on, though war had not been declared, by the various forts.  She arrived in Rangoon on the 9th November.

As the answer was not satisfactory, war was declared on the King and the whole of the Flotilla Fleet was requisitioned by Government for the expedition.  The troops and stores were carried up by 24 steamers with 23 flats, the full strength of the expeditionary force being 9,467 men with 77 guns.  General Prendergast and Col. Sladen were in the “Doowoon,” Capt. Morgan in Command and the “Thambyadine” was also used as a headquarters steamer.

The “Ngawoon” was manned by a naval contingent under Capt. Carpenter R.N.  The “Palow” and “Ataran” were used as battery and gunships, Capt. Woodward R.N. being in the “Palow” with 4 officers and 103 men from H.M.S. “Turquoise,”  Capt. W. Beckett in Command of her.

The “Col. Fytche” was used as a hospital ship, the rest of the fleet conveying troops and stores.  Whilst this force was being collected at Thayetmyo, Capt. Redman, in the “Okpho” left Mandalay for Bhamo on the 9th November.  The Burmese Governor of Bhamo ordered him away from there on the 19th.  On the 21st whilst alongside Moda, the steamer was rushed by Burmese soldiers and the officers and crew were taken prisoners.  After suffering innumerable indignities and cruelties they were taken to Mandalay.  Whilst captive there Capt. Redman was led out several times for execution.

On the arrival of the British at Mandalay they were all released and the “Okpho” was recaptured.  The two local officers responsible for this outrage were captured and brought down to Mandalay.  They were fined, imprisoned and publicly whipped by order of the Chief Commissioner.

Although the “Okpho” practically left Mandalay to withdraw all British subjects at the request of the Government, the Captain and officers received little or no compensation for the loss of their effects which were all looted by the Burmese.  For his services Capt. Cooper received the hanks of the Government together with a gold watch.  Capt. Beckett in the “Palow” ran the gauntlet of the forts disguised as a Burmese prize, flying the Peacock flag, just before the British Flotilla crossed the border.

On the 14th November the Government steamers “Irrawaddy” and “Kathleen” silenced the forts at Sinboungwai and captured the King’s steamer, “Tuluyingyaw” bringing her down to Thayetmyo.  This vessel afterwards became the R.I.M.S. “Sladen” and is still afloat as the “Great Po Sein” 

On the 15th and 16th the Expedition crossed the border, the “Palow” and “Ngawoon” acting as gunboats, went ahead of the fleet with the Government gunboats “Spitfire” and  “Bulldog” in tow.  The “Panthay” had a mule mountain battery on board and the “Shwemyo” had the Royal Artillery on board.

On the 17th Minhla was taken and the fort garrisoned.  Continuing up the river most of the large towns were found to be deserted.  On the 21st Pagan was reached and for two hours the enemy were engaged, the forts being silenced just before dark.

On the 23rd the gunboats went on ahead of the Flotilla and shelled earthworks at Pakokku.  One of the “Shwemyo’s” flats capsized here and a lot of ammunition was lost with one or two guns.

At 4 p.m. on the 24th Myingyan was reached and was found to be heavily fortified.  It took the gunboats four hours to shell and destroy the forts there.

Ava was taken on the 26th and the King’s army laid down their arms the next day.  The fleet then proceeded on to Mandalay and arrived there on the 28th.

Captains Terndrup and Morgan were used as guides to the force in Mandalay, Capt. Morgan accompanying Col. Sladen to the Palace to interview the King.  Mrs Morgan and her husband were well-known in the Palace, Mrs Morgan being a friend of the Queen Supayalat.

At 6.15 p.m. on the 29th of November, King Thibaw, with his Queens, Supayalat and Supayagyi, together with the Queen-Mother, Hsinbyuma-shin and the King’s daughter, were escorted on board the “Thooreah,” Capt. Patterson.

This steamer, just before the outbreak of the war carried Mons. de Bonteiller, the French Consul, to Mandalay.  He came out to relieve the French Consul accredited to Thibaw.

After taking on board her Royal freight the “Thooreah” anchored in midstream and later left for Rangoon.  On the 10th December the King and Queen Supayalat with their daughter were put on board the R.M.S. “Clive” at Rangoon.  They were first taken to Madras and later were transferred to Ratnagiri Fort on the Bombay coast.

The Queen-Mother and Supayagyi were taken to Tavoy. The Kinwun-Mingyi (Prime Minister) two other Ministers of State and three Privy Councillors were deported to Rangoon with the King but refused to accompany him into exile.

The “Aloung Paya” took down all the remainder of the Queens and Princesses, forty-one in number, leaving Mandalay on the 28th of December  The messing allowance allowed to the Commander was Rs. 1/- a head per day.  Their menu principally consisted of rice and beef.  Capt. Patterson is supposed to have claimed and received Rs. 10,000/-  for entertaining Thibaw and his family.  Queen Supayagyi died in 1912, Thibaw in 1916 and Supayalat, who was allowed to return to Rangoon after Thibaw’s death, died there in 1925.
July 1928 - Issue No. 4.
The first Steamer to run up the Chindwin was the “Kahbyu” in 1882.  Later she was replaced by small paddlers.  Early in 1886 an expedition was sent up the Chindwin, the “Aphyouk,” with 170 passengers and the “Amherst” together with the Government steamer “Mekrappah” and the Bombay Burma launches, “Chindwin” and “Kyandaw” making up the fleet.

In 1886 the trade on this river was revived again, the paddlers being replaced by stern-wheelers.  After the annexation, express steamers ran once a week from Rangoon to Mandalay and a regular weekly steamer from Mandalay to Bhamo.  Each steamer carried a small guard of troops for protection for a time till things settled down a bit in Upper Burma.

In 1886 Lord Dufferin, the Viceroy and Sir. Frederick Roberts, the Commander-in-Chief went to Mandalay in the “Mindoon” which was placed at their disposal by the Company.  On their return from Mandalay the “Mindoon” grounded for twelve hours off Pagan.

In December 1889 the “Beeloo” was placed at the disposal of H.R.H. Prince Albert Victor, when he travelled down from Mandalay.

After the annexation the following steamers were added to the Fleet:-
Steamer
Aphyouk 
Alguada 
Amherst 
Amyen 
Ava 
Bandoola 
Beeloo 
Canton 
Cambay 
China 
Dufferin 
Gyne 
Hindustan 
Pekin 
Karenee 
Kendat 
Manwyne 
Mandalay 
Maulong 
Mogoung 
Momein 
Munepoor 
Nagama 
Naikban 
Pago 
Pouktan 
Shan 
Syriam 
Daga 
Foochow 
Ninghpoo 
Shanghai 
Type
P 
T.S. 
P. 
S.W. 
P. 
T.S. 
P. 
P. 
P. 
P. 
P. 
T.S. 
P. 
P. 
P. 
S.W. 
P. 
P.
S.W. 
P. 
P. 
P. 
T.S. 
T.S. 
P. 
P. 
P. 
T.S. 
P. 
T.S. 
T.S. 
T.S. 
Year Built
1886 
1886 
1886 
1888 
1888 
1898 
1886 
1886 
1886 
1888 
1886 
1887 
1896 
1886 
1888 
1886 
1887 
1886 
1888 
1887 
1885 
1887 
1898 
1888 
1887 
1886 
1888 
1888 
1887 
1884 
1884 
1884 
Length (feet)
105
165
160
130
250
180
310
250
120
310
310
165
310
250
250
120
250
250
130
180
250
250
180
165
250
120
250
165
160
261
261
261
The “Manwyne," “Pago,” “Syriam” and “Naikban” steamed out from home.  The “Aphyouk" was latterly used as a hulk at the Hastings for some years and was finally broken up.  The “Alguada,” “Amherst” and “Amyen” were broken up within the last few years.  The “Ava” was burnt out near Kama about 1901 and was turned into a hulk and used as a station flat at Myingyan.  She was beached under the cliffs at Myingyan last year.

The “Bandoola” was used as a house boat at Dalla for some time and was broken up last year.  The “Beeloo,” after being used as a station flat at Magwe, was sunk in 1926 up the Pegu river.  “Canton” was sunk on the Hastings shoal.  “Cambay” is now a hulk as is also the “China” at Pakokku.

“Dufferin” was used as a station flat at Myinmu and was sunk lately.  The “Gyne,” “Mogoung,” “Momein,” “Naikban,” “Syriam” and “Daga” are still running.  The “Daga” now belongs to the Burma Railways.

“Hindustan” is now a hulk at Nyaunghla and the “Manwyne” is at Yandoon as a ngapee flat.  “Pekin” is now broken up, after being a ngapee flat at Yandoon for some time. 

The “Karenee,” “Foochow,” “Ninghpoo” and “Shanghai" were all broken up.  The last three were bought from the India General S.N. Co.  The “Kindat” and “Mandalay” were broken up in 1926 and the “Munepoor,” “Nagama,” “Shan” and “Pouktan” are hulks.

The “Maulong” was sunk 5 miles above Kalewa on the Chindwin river after striking a sunk raft in 1907.  The “Pago” was sunk in Rangoon Harbour.

In 1893 the Bassein-Kyonpyaw service was opened by the “Panthay” and the Bassein-Myaungmya service was opened in 1904.

In 1901-2 Dr. Marks, who had opened a school in Mandalay in King Mindon’s time, travelled up in the “China” to Mandalay.  This was his last trip before retiring.  Capt. C. Smith was then in Command of the “China” the Chief Officer being T.F. Musgrave.

In 1901 the second “Burma” was  built.  She was a paddler of 270 ½ ft.  She is now a station flat at Maubin.  The second “Ava” was built in 1902 to replace the first “Ava”  She was built specially for the oil towing service and had her top deck built only half way along.  She was dismantled and sunk in 1922.

The “Prome” built in 1904 of 250ft. was of the same type as the “Ava”  She had the half top deck and was built specially for the oil run.  In 1903 the “India” and “Siam” were built.  They were both paddlers, the “India” being 312 ft. and the “Siam” 328 ½ ft.

In 1904 the stern-wheeler “Katha” was built for the Chindwin.  She was built with three decks, the top having the Commander’s, 1st and 2nd class accommodation on it.  The middle deck was for deck passengers and the lower for cargo.  She was too deep for the Chindwin and was put on the Thabeitkyin ferry, where she ran for years.  In, or about, 1916 she had her two top decks removed and is now used as a cargo boat on the Chindwin.

The “Japan” and “Java” were built in 1904 both large paddlers of 328 ½ ft.  The “Ceylon” of the same size was built in 1905.
January 1929 – Issue No 1.
In 1906 the present King and Queen, then Prince and Princess of Wales, graciously accepted the offer of a steamer from the Company for their trip from Mandalay to Prome.  The “Japan” was placed at their disposal with the “Mogoung” in attendance, Capt. Medd being in command of the “Mogoung.”  Capt. de la Taste was appointed Commander of the “Japan.”  The Chief Engineer was Mr P. Mackie and the other Officers were:-
J.H. Benson    Chief Executive Officer
A.E. Fryer         Chief Watch-keeping Officer
- - Cross            2nd Watch-keeping Officer
D. Anderson    2nd Engineer
W. Jarvis          3rd Engineer

The trip was taken in January and the “Mogoung” went ahead as pilot vessel.

In 1907 Capt. J. Cooper who had been Marine Superintendent for some years retired.  He was relieved as Marine Superintendent by Capt. T. Scott Robertson.  Capt. G. Carey was appointed Creek Launch Superintendent, the two departments having been made separate.

In 1907 the stern-wheelers “Falam” and “Tiddim” were built for the Chindwin service and in 1908 the stern-wheeler “Tamu” was put on the Monywa ferry.

The first Commanders and Chief Engineers of the “Falam” and “Tiddim” were Capt. C. Potter and Mr W. Hislop and Capt. A.E. Fryer and Mr A. Kerr, respectively.

In 1908 the “Assam” was built, her length being 328 ½ feet.  The next steamer was the “Nepaul” in 1909 of 329 ft.

The side paddler “Kobe” was built in the same year.  She was the first of the K. Class, small ferry paddler steamers which had gradually been improved on and grown larger.  The next vessels of this type were the “Kelat” (1909) “Kabul” (1910) “Kandy” “Kawlin” and “Kengtung” of 1913.

The “Kawlin” was the largest of the type, being 10ft. longer than her sisters.

The screw steamers “Soochow” “Chinchow” and “Kowchow” were built in 1909 for the Rangoon-Henzada service.  They  were 155 ft. in length with a speed of 13 knots.

In 1908 the Burma River Transport Co. Ltd. was formed.  In 1910 they had twenty-two steamers and twenty oil flats on the river, towing oil for the Rangoon Oil Co.  Several of their vessels were built at Kamakasit.  The majority being brought over from Calcutta and England.

In 1909 the “Otaru” was built for the Flotilla, the “Osaka” following in 1910.  These paddle steamers were used a shadowing steamers, following the B.R.T.Co’s  steamers which were on the cargo and passenger traffic.  In length 175’ with a breadth of 26’. and depth of 7’ 6”, their speed was 15 ½ knots.  The first Commander of the “Otaru” was Capt. C. Beresford, the Chief Engineer being A. Kerr; and Capt. Bernard, with J. Scott were in the “Osaka”

After running in opposition to the B.R.T.C. steamers for some time they were transferred to the Prome-Magwe ferry service.  These two steamers had water tube boilers and were the first vessels of that type to ply on the main river.

Towards the end of 1911 the B.R.T.Co. went into liquidation and most of their steamers and flats were bought by the Flotilla. 
The vessels taken over were:-
Steamer
“Thudaw”
“Hanthawa”
“Tharrawa”
“Tantabin”
“Galone”
“Yemen”
“Begonia”
“Colonial”
“Dahlia”
“Shamrock”
“Thistle”
“Violet”
Type
P.S.
P.S.
P.S.
P.S.
P.S.
P.S.
Launch
Launch
Launch
Launch
Launch
Launch
Year Built
1909
1909
1909
1909
1910
1910
1906
1906
1904
1906
1906
1905
And tugs “Lanmadaw” “Kamakasit” and “Dunneedaw”  built in 1909.  Over a dozen flats were taken over with about the same number of cargo boats. 

In 1911 the large paddle steamer “Kashmir” was built.  She caught fire on her maiden trip at Dedayai whilst alongside the station flat.  After she had burnt out the hulk was sunk below Dedayai clear of the channel.  This was the second biggest disaster the Company had, the first being the “Yamah” at Nyaunghla.  Luckily these have been the only two accidents of that size since the Flotilla has been on the river.  The “Kashmir’s” Commander was Capt. Pugh, her Chief Engineer being J. Wilson.  Mr Scott Coward was Chief Officer, W. Perry was Second Officer and W. Graham was Second Engineer.

In 1913 the “Mindoon” “Mysore” and “Panthay” were built as cargo steamers, the “Punjab” being added to the fleet in 1914.  These steamers were 15’ shorter than the mail steamers and had no accommodation for 1st and 2nd class passengers.

In 1914 the Bhamo cargo steamer “Shweli” was built and a new stern-wheeler “Sikkim” was also built for the Chindwin.  Tow smaller stern-wheelers were put on the Monywa ferry, “Pima” and “Popa.”

In that year Mr Robert Barr, Fleet Engineer, retired, and after some time Mr J.H. Duncanson was appointed Fleet Engineer.

In 1913 the vessels of the Delta Navigation Co. were taken over, these were:-
“Mahmahgyee”   Double-decked launch
“Mahninzee”       Double-decked launch
“Mahmahlay”     Single-decked launch
“Masein”              Single-decked launch
“Meegyoung”      Barge
“Zinyaw”              Barge

One of the first double-deck launches built for the Company was he “Cicero” of 1895, though there had been a few of a smaller type as early as 1888.
Since 1900 the launch traffic in the Delta increased rapidly and larger vessels were built which gradually opened up the Delta, finally taking over the runs on which the large twin screw steamers had formerly run.

Beginning with launches of 82’ in length the size has increased with the trade so that at the present time there are launches of 135’ running on the main Delta services.    
April 1929 – Issue No. 2. 
In 1915 the “Ananda” and “Talifoo” were added to the fleet.  The “Ananda” was put on the cargo run about June, the “Talifoo” sailing on the oil run about the same time.  The “Talifoo” was built as an oil towing ship as well as being adaptable for the cargo service.  She is 260’ in length, the “Ananda” being 310’.

In 1915-16 the launches owned by G.H. Acha & Co. of Bassein were bought.  They had been plying tin the Bassein District for some time.  These launches were mostly of the single deck type, comprising the “Agra” “Cashmere” “Benares” “Chittagong” “Florence” “Hindon” “Arabia” “Bawgabala” “Beda” etc.  They are all retired now, having been broken up or sunk.

WWI
In November 1914, war was declared against Turkey and river steamers were requisitioned from the Indian Empire for the operations in Mesopotamia.  Amongst the first vessels taken over were a number from the Flotilla Company.  The requisitioned ships were towed or steamed across to Bombay and as they had always been kept in good condition, they were soon on their way to Basra.

The first paddlers to arrive there were seven Flotilla steamers.  They were numbered P1-P7 and formed what was known as the Paddle Flotilla, the nucleus on which the I.W.T. organised and built their large fleet.  These steamers were:-
P1  “Kandy”
P2  “Kengtung”
P3  “Yemen”
P4  “Galone”
P5  “Tharrawa”
P6  “Hanthawa”
P7  “Tantabin”

They received their baptism of fire at Kurna, when the Commanders of P1 and P2 were awarded the D.S.O.  The “Lewes Pelly” armoured launch and P4 entered and captured Amara in advance of the troops and secured a considerable number of prisoners.  The P4’s Commander Lt. Duncan, earned the D.S.C.

The P5 and 6 were continually in the thick of it and their consistent good work during the advance and retreat from Ctesiphon earned for their Commanders mention in despatches.  Lt. Bugg ex. I.F.C. was in Command of P6.  It is of interest to note that P6 was bracketed with the “Mejidieh” in the report of Major Carter regarding the failure of medical arrangements in Mespot.

During the battle of Orah, with the exception of first field dressings, the only bandages used on P7 consisted of table and bed linen taken from the I.F. steamers.

P7 was a popular ship with the troops and was known as “Drunken Mary.”  She possessed a permanent and inexplicable list which undoubtedly gave her an inebriated appearance.  No doubt the sight of this funny little boat laying on her side and ambling along, appealed to Tommy’s sense of humour and probably awakened memories of closing time in some barrack town.

This same little ship was continually in the forefront from the time of her arrival to her return to Burma.  She was in action at Kurna, Shaiba, Ctesiphone, Orah, Sheik Saad and participated in General Maude’s advance and subsequent capture of Bagdad.

She was also in General Townsend’s advance to and retreat from Ctesiphon until Kut was reached, when she was detailed to convoy all shipping out of that town, a duty which she successfully accomplished.

This steamer was the last to leave Kut prior to its siege and subsequent capture by the Turks.  Her Commander, Lt. H. MacCullum, earned his decoration, D.S.O. – to quote the order of the day – for running this steamer day and night under enemy fire.

She continued to still do the same efficient, if less exciting, work until the termination of hostilities and finally when war was over, despite the advent of expensive and elaborately fitted steamers, she, along with P5 and P6 ran a bi-weekly passenger and mail service from Basra to Amara.

It is an interesting fact that, when the War Department craft were laying up in “Rotten Row” the old paddlers still continued to work until their final departure for Burma.

Later the stern-wheelers “Pima” “Popa” “Tamu” “Tiddim” and “Falam” were taken over, together with the paddlers “Osaka” PS23, “Otaru” PS24, “Kabul” PS27, “Kawlin” PS28,“Kelat” and “Shweli”

The “Tiddim” was lost at sea through capsizing when in tow.  The “Shweli” broke her back whilst steaming across under command of Lt. Smithson.  The crew were saved by the escorting vessel.  The “Kelat” broke adrift during a cyclone and foundered.

Amongst the other vessels and flats taken over were the tugs, “Lanmadaw” “Dunneedaw” “Kamakasit” and “Hlawga” and the launches “Wren” “Yeddo” “Dee “Don” and “Devon”  Altogether 16 paddlers, 10 stern-wheelers, 6 creek launches, 5 tugs, 6 barges, 6 buoying launches, 34 flats and 6 cargo boats were requisitioned  from the Company.

The creek steamers, known as T. boats, should have been called general utility boats.  Their work was continuous, arduous and varied.  Some being attached to divisions, others attached to departments, carrying commissions from India up and down the river, towing small barges and pontoon bridges, taking working parties to and from their work, carrying football teams and their supporters, also race horses and their jockeys to the various meetings, in fact they did all the uncommon work.  P8 distinguished herself at Sheik Saad, the Sub-Lt. in command gaining a D.S.C.
July 1929 – Issue No. 8
 The three stern-wheelers “Pima” Popa” and “Tamu” did good work being special service vessels,.  S2, “Popa” was employed carrying canteen stores.  S1, “Falam” was detailed for the work of Head Quarters Line of Communications.  She was exclusively employed on this service throughout the war.

H.S.1. “Sikkim” was one of the two hospital ships running until the arrival of the new hospital craft from the U.K. in 1918.  This vessel was towed over from Bombay, Lt. Armstrong in command and was immediately converted into a hospital ship.  She ran in that capacity for the duration of the war.

She brought the first batch of sick and wounded back from Kut, after its capture, in exchange for Turkish prisoners.

From February 16th 1916 to July 20th 1918 she carried in all 21,625 patients, viz: British officers 927, British other ranks 11,841, Indian officers 97, Indian other ranks 8,496, and Turkish prisoners of war 264.  She had accommodation for 144 cot cases.

Lt. Armstrong gained the M.C. in recognition of good work accomplished in this vessel.

During the advance to Bagdad the “Kengtung” grounded with one barge in tow on the 14th of March 1916.  She was floated the next day.  Again in August 1916 she grounded badly, this time delaying the traffic for six days.

Major Milne, ex I.F.C. with two I.F.C.  Pilot launches, successfully accomplished mine sweeping operations for the Navy in Mesopotamia.  There were the only mine sweepers used on the Tigris.  Milne and his two launches rendered a considerable number of these pests harmless.

A large number of the Commanders of the steamers gained decorations and it can safely be said that no other steamers with the exception of Messrs. Lynch’s steamers, saw or took such an active part in the Mesopotamia operations, or accomplished such consistent good work as the first seven P. Boats from Burma.

Amongst the Flotilla men decorated were:-
Lt. Armstrong, M.C. R.I.M.  Mentioned in despatches
Capt. Coutts, M.B.E.  General List att. I.W.T.  Mention in  despatches
Capt. Smithson, M.B.E.  General List att. I.W.T.  Mention in despatches
Capt. Richardson,  General List att. I.W.T.  Mention in despatches
Major Patterson, General List att. I.W.T. Mention in despatches.
Major Hutchinson, R.E. att. I.W.T.  Mention in despatches 20-10-15.  Promoted for service on the field.  London Gazette 30-4-16.  Mention in despatches 2-11-17
Major Milne, Dy. Asst. Director I.W.T.  Five mentions in despatches.  At the close of hostilities Major Milne was in charge of the Middle Euphrates section.

Soon after Bagdad was captured in 1917, Lt. Armstrong was sent above to buoy the river, with a small party in a motor launch.  The launch broke down and they were surprised by a patrol of Turkish cavalry.  Armstrong and most of his party were killed.  His grave is unknown.

Lt. D. Corlett R.I.M. died on October 9th 1916 and was buried in the Makina Masus Cemetery.

Mr Belchamber went home with the first Burma Contingent in 1914 and enlisted in the Army on his arrival home.  He was killed by a shell soon after entering the trenches for the first time.

In 1916 Goolam Hoosein of Bassein sole his launches to the Company.  These were the double-deckers “Agra” and “Cashmere” and the single deckers “Benares” “Florence” Hindon” “Moonlight” “Chittagong” “Starlight” and “Twilight.” 

To replace the vessels taken by the Government for Mesopotamia a number of ferry steamers and stern-wheelers were built between 1917 and 1919.
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The side-paddle ferry steamers were a larger type of the “Kengtung” and were called:- “Kalaw” “Kansi” and “Kotah” of 1917, “Kandaw” and “Koyan” of 1918 and the “Kadeik” “Kaduna” “Kaladan” and “Kinu” of 1919.  They were 185’ in length, the being “Kengtung” was 175’

Six stern-wheelers of the “Sikkim” class were built:- “Sarak” of 1917, “Sima” “Sind” and “Saga” of 1918 and “Shillong and “Sylhet” of 1920.

In 1918 the stern-wheelers “Namtu” and “Tamadaw” were built to take the place of the “Popa” and “Pima”

In 1920 the single deck stern-wheeler “Pauk” was built as a Chindwin cargo steamer.  All the stern wheelers were built by Yarrow & Co.  The K’s being built by Denny of Dumbarton.

In 1920 the Burma Steam Launch Co. of Moulmein went into liquidation and their vessels were bought and added to the Company’s Service at Moulmein.  Their fleet consisted of seven double decked launches and two single deckers.  The double deckers were the “Aungtat” “Aungthin” “Aungsetkye” “Aungmaha” “Aungdipa” “Aungmingala” and “Aungthida”  The single deckers were the “Aungban” and “Aungkhema”  The last two launches were built in 1904, all the others being built in 1909-1910.

In 1920 a number of vessels were returned from Mesopotamia, there were:-
Side Paddlers:-  “Hanthawa” “Tharrawa” “Tantabin” “Kandy” “Kawlin” “Otaru” “Osaka” “Kengtung” and “Kabul.”

Three buoying launches “Dee” “Don” (renamed “Dart”) and “Devon” were also returned with several double deck launches.

The “Tharrawa” was broken up in 1924 but all the other steamers were reconditioned and are still running.

Since the war the larger screw steamers on the Rangoon-Bassein services have been replaced by express launches of the G class of 115 ft.  These launches’ names all begin with the letter G as “Gozo” “Govina” “Gecko” etc.

A newer type of express launch has been built since 1926, the “ class, “Warrego” “Wilno” “Waipo” etc.  These launches are all lit by electricity and all carry searchlights.

At the end of 1926 a new side-paddle ferry steamer was built “Mintha” to replace the K class on the up river ferries.  The “Mintha” was the first of this class of M steamers, faster than the K class and of a better type.  The other steamers of this class are:-“Mingyi” “Minthamee” “Mingale” “Minlat” and “Maha.”

Before closing this short history it might be as well to mention that conservation of the river from China Bakir to Bhamo.  This is perhaps the most important department in the Company’s service, keeping the channels buoyed the whole year round, clearing snags and rocks and supplying pilots to all steamers.  In the old days buoying was a very haphazard affair and steamers often grounded through channels changing rapidly.  The Commanders had then to buoy their own channels, usually with tins casks.  Naturally this took a long time and steamers were often 12 days and more from Rangoon to Mandalay.  Gradually the system which is now in vogue was formed and the river is now well buoyed.

There are about 18 small launches, all called after rivers, used for buoying, which patrol their own particular section of the river.  Six of these launches were requisitioned for Mespot and did very good work there.  Only three of them were returned to Burma.

The fleet at present totals about 550 vessels of all kinds, both propelling and non-propelling.  Over eight million passengers are carried every year, accidents occurring very rarely and then generally through no fault of the Company.
The Magazine issued the following corrections:- 
The "Rangoon" was not sunk below Prome.  The vessel sunk below Prome was a privately owned vessel.
The Flotilla "Rangoon" is still running, being owned by the Burma Railways.  She was sold in the late '90's.
The vessel captured above Thayetmyo was a stern-wheeler, most likely the "Yaishanayinbyan"
The "Sladen" was captured at Myingyan on November 24th.