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Irrawaddy Flotilla Company

Notes on company employees by the manager, Mr Swann

There are a number of references to the origins of the IWFC in the text below. For clarification, it should be noted that the contract to take over the fleet was signed in May 1864. Some of the Captains and crew were transferred from the Bengal Marine.

Captain Sevenoaks
This gentleman was formerly a Commander in the Flotilla when it was worked by Government and has been in the Irrawaddy Company’s service since it was first established. He has commanded the Steamers “DAMOODAH”, “COL. FYTCHE” and “NAGPORE”, but is at present absent in England on leave. On his return to Rangoon he is to receive charge of the new Steamer “MANDALAY”.

Captain Antram
Since the Government gave over the Steam Flotilla to the present proprietors Captain Antram has acted as Commander in the [illegible – steamer?] and “COL PHAYRE”. In the latter he had been in charge for over 3 years and during the last year in which the mails were carried under the old postal contract he worked the service twice a month between Rangoon and Thayetmyo with most creditable energy. With passengers of all kinds but more especially those who travel first class, he is very popular and he also stands well in the opinion of native shippers. From the heavy draught of the “COL. PHAYRE” Captain Antram has not been able to take his vessel to Mandalay in the dry season, but notwithstanding this the earnings throughout the year are fair compared with those of the other steamers. As a Commander he has been successful, never having damaged his steamer in any way and he has always shown a disposition to put first his best exertions to advance the interests of the Company. He takes command of the “RANGOON” when ready. His salary is R300 per month with 2% commission on the steamer’s gross earnings minus the Government Bills from both of which sources of income he has received during this year about R510 monthly.

Captain Reilly
About four years ago Captain Reilly left the service of the H.M. The King of Burmah where he had the command of a steamer and joined the Company’s vessel “LORD WILLIAM BENTINCK” which vessel he had charge of until the trip before she was lost. In the “BENTINCK” his position was, latterly, a trying one, as he had with a worn out old steamer to keep time with the new ones of a much superior class. This did not however prevent his maintaining regularity during his trips and his being able to do so cannot in my opinion be attributed to any other source than to his persevering and hard working character. Since she first started, Captain Reilly has been in command of the “JUMNA” during which time his steamer on 7 trips has grossed Rs135,475

Of all the Company’s Commanders, he is best acquainted with the language and habits of the Burmese which makes him most popular with both traders and native passengers and I have always found that this knowledge has been used for and proved beneficial to the Company’s interest. That Captain Reilly trades largely between Rangoon and various stations up the river is not to be disguised though he himself is not brought forward in the transactions the party treated with being a Burmese broker who makes all the arrangements for freight. This system of commanders trading has I know many objectionable points about it, but in the case

Published 2011 by the Anglo-Burmese Library
all rights reserved.

British Library APAC MSS E375/3

Irrawaddy Flotilla Company

of Captain Reilly I do not believe that it is detrimental to the Company’s interests in any way as his doing so in the manner described above has never to my knowledge given offence to the general body of traders, nor has it at all interfered with the efficient working of the steamers he has commanded. To state my opinion candidly I must say that I consider it is a very decided advantage to the Company to have such a man as Captain Reilly in the service as he has opened up new branches of trade such as the conveyance of paddy and earth oil for the Company’s vessels as well as providing general cargo for them thereby adding materially to the service as can be seen at once when it is stated that in the 7 trips of the “JUMNA” he had paid no less than Rs24,000 on freight on his own account. However desirable the Directors might consider it would be to put a stop to the Commanders trading it would in the case of Captain Reilly be most injudicious to do so, not only because this would entail a loss of revenue to us, but it would also to a certainly lead to his leaving the service and joining that of the King of Burmah who has I am told, already made proposals to him on the subject.

Captain Reilly is paid on the same scale as Captain Antram and his income during the time he has been in the “JUMNA” averages Rs570 monthly.

Captain Bacon
During the whole time the Company has existed Capt. Bacon has held a command, his two latest being the “NERBUDDA and “COL. FYTCHE”. The former vessel he was unfortunate enough to lose, but whether directly to blame for the accident or not it has been difficult to decide. Since he has had charge of the “FYTCHE” he has worked the vessel well making fast and paying trips. On the occasions on which a steamer has been sent to Bhamo he has been in charge and is again despatched with his vessel on a third trip.

His means of income are the same as those of the other commanders, from which he has in this year derived an average of Rs480 monthly.

Captain Gramen [??]
After having been for six years a mate in the service, Capt. Gramen was promoted to command of the “NAGPORE” when Captain Sevenoaks left for England and has had charge of the “COL. PHAYRE” since Captain Antram was transferred over to the new steamer “RANGOON” on the 19th ultimo. He has I believe a good knowledge of the river and an abundant experience of the trade generally. On his first ship the Flat “SYRIAM” was burnt, but I do not think blame is fairly attachable to him for the loss as no precautions on his part could have prevented the sparks of burning wood, thrown from the steamer’s funnel, from falling on the painted wooden roof of the Flat which without a doubt was the way the fire originated. Captain Gramen received Rs250 for salary and commission the same as the others. His income during the 8 months of his command has been about R450 monthly.

In the salary of commanders the expense of messing is included, no separate allowance being made for that purpose.

Mr Campbell of the “COL. FYTCHE” and Mr Gerard of the “COL. PHAYRE” will also in time I am sure prove worthy of a more responsible charge than they now have which is more than could be said of any of the incapable who were dismissed to make way for them. The latter being a young officer is only paid R150 a month to commence with.

British Library APAC MSS E375/3

Irrawaddy Flotilla Company

With every desire to study economy on the Company’s behalf I still felt it my duty to act as I have done to ensure the Coy. having more honest and faithful servants in their employment than they had under the old system.

In looking at the income of the various commanders it may seem to the directors that it is excessive for men in their position, but considering that they have only one officer, no clerk and act in the capacity of Agents when away from Rangoon I think it would be unwise under our present system of working either to make a reduction or put them upon a fixed salary.

Mates:
On board of each steamer there is only one mate who has to look after both steamer and flats and hitherto there has always been a difficulty in getting the right kind of men into the service for this position arising I think from the smallness of the pay offered viz Rs150 with no mess allowance. Considering cheapness in this respect false economy, I increased the pay Rs50 per month and have now got in Mr Paterson (JUMNA) and Mr Inglis (RANGOON) such men as are fit with a little more experience in navigating the river to take charge at any time.