Flota dawnej Birmy & żegluga na Irrawaddy

[AvM]

Underwrittersl Liverpool Regoster 1884/5
TSEKYA YEEN BYAN
master: Lefevre
677grt/408nrt 666bm 218.0x26.0x16.7(depth)
2 Compound Inv. Direct Acting 80 & 52-33in 120nhp
last survey 11.1871
King of Burmah, Burma
jest to jedyna statek wymieniany

Byla jeszcze Burmah Steam Tug Co., Moulmein (Brytyjskie)
DEFIANCE 199grt/114nrt ON45402 zbud J.Laird 1862
TAVOY 309grt/164nrt ON32775 zbud R.Duuncan & Co. Pt:Glasgow 1874

[AvM]

The Times | December 15, 1885
(FBon OU1; SPECTAL CORRESrOINDUET.) TOUNGWIN ISLAND (20 miles above frontier, in steamer Than-bya-dine), Nov. 17. On the 14th I joined, at Thayetrayo, the Than- bya-dine, carrying Genoral Prendergast and the headquarters staff. Thayetmyo is the British frontier military station, and is about seven miles from the Burmese frontier line as settled by Lord Dalhousie after the war of 1852. The Than-bya- dine is one of tho smallest of the steamers of the Irrawaaddy Flotilla Company. General Prbnder- gast selected it for his own use to leave tho larger steamers available for the troops. The Than-bya- dine is constructed to carry five cabin passengers. On the present occasion she has the hoadquarters staff, Colonel Sladen and his assistant, and two guests, numbering in all 28, some sixty servants, a score of clerks, a guard of ten men to protect the treasure with the field paymaster, the staff of the headvuarters post-office, a staff of printers and compositors, and four horses. During the voyage these numbers were increased by about a dozen prisoners taken at various points. The crowd and crush on board can be better imagined than described. As it was ascertained that tho B3urmeso preparations were very incomplete, General Prendergast decided to push on at once, without waiting for his heavy guns. As we were about to start a large steamer was seen coming down the river, escorted by the armed steam launch Kathleen,and in a few minutes we learned that the Burmese steamer Irrawaddy and her flats had been captured about eight miles up the river by the Government steamer Irrawaddy and the armed launch Kathleen. The Irrawaddy is the yacht of the Chief Commissioner of British 13ur- mah, and used by him on his official tours. When it recentlv appeared probable that we should go to war with Russia MIr. Bernard had her armed rith tvo 25-pounder breechloading rifled guns, two Nordenfelts, and two Gardners, under Ceon- mander Clutterbuck,of tho Woodlark, and manned oy Lieutenants Davies and Ballard and 60 blue- jackets from the Woodlark and Turquoise. The Irrawaddy has rendered most valuable services to the expedition. Without her tho present rapid advance would have been impossible, and it is the general opinion that the Irrawaddy alone would have forced her way to Mandalay. She has the great advantage of only drawing about 3ft. 9in. Colonel Sladen, who is attached to the expedition as chief civil officer, received information that the Burmese steamer, with two Europeans on board, was busily engaged in conveying guns and troops to various points on the river suitable for defence, and was causing by her movements a good deal of excitement and disturbance among the Burmese in the frontier districts. He obtained General Prendergast's permission to attempt her capture, and started up river in the Irrawaddy Dn tho morming of the 14th. After proceedinig some eight miles they sighted the Burmese steamer with her two flats anchored in a difficult part of the river, where she could only be ap- proached by running in close under the bank for some distance. The Burmese steamer awaited the approach of the Irrawaddy, which opened fire on her at about 3,000 yards. As soon as tlhe Irra- wadddy bad approached to within about 1,000 yards of the steamor a battery of eight guns, which had recently been erected on tho western bank of the river, opened fire on the Irravaddy. Those on board the Burmese steamer evidently believed it would be impossible for tho Irrawaddy to force her way past the battery, as the channel of the river was there narrow, and it was necessary for tho steamer to raa close in under the battery, which was erected on rising ground and masked by trees. The Irrawaddy and Kathleen engaged tho battery, proving more than a match for it, and at the same time went full speed up river. As sooni as the Burmese steamer perceived that the Irrawvaddy would force her way through she cast off her flats and steamed away full speed. Com- Tnander Clutterbuck now brought his Nordenfelts to bear on the Bturmese steamer with great effect. After two discharges, those on board finding the fire too hot, the steamer was turned in shore, and the men, numbering some 200, leaped overboard and swam ashore. Two Europeans could be per- ceived among the fugitives. The Burmese steamer anid her two flats were now adrift, and owing to the rapidity of the current and the ditficulties of tho navigation it was somewhat difficalt to secure them. 'The steamer wont ashore within 50 yards of the battery, and was boarded and taken out by thie launch Kathleen, commanded by Lieutenant Trench, of the Turquoise. Although the Burmese kept up a heavy cannon and rifle fire, their aim was so bad that only one man on board the Kath- leen was woundod. The Kathleen brought the steamer to Thayetmyo, while the two flats were picked up by the Irrawaddy. On repassing the battery the Irrawaddy again engaged it. On board one of the captured flats were found all the papers and diaries of Camotto, an Italian ongineer in the Burmese service, together with his commission from the King of Burmah as chief military engineer and adviser, and two plan3 of several forts on the river. It was ascertained that Camotto had been on board the flat with another Italianengincer named Molinari, and these were the two Earopeans who had been seen to swim ashore wvhen she was taken. Canmotto had recently been dismissed froni the Burmese service, and was only re-employed in the present crisis. Camotto's diary was kept in Italian, and on glancing through it I found the fol- lOWing entrv, bearing date the day Thebaw had selnt his defiant answer to the Chief Com- missioner of British Burmah which produced the ultimatumn-" The Burmese are aboutto dismiss all foreigners from thoir service-what fools." One of the flats was filled with sandbaas, and had a number of largo teak posts, sharpened at the point, planted vertically in her. Sho was to have beon sunk below the battery to obstruct the navigation, and had the Irrawaddy been an hour later, this would have been done. If tho chainol of the river had been blocked at that point it would seriously have retarded the expe- dition. The Engineer officers with the expedi- tion expressed their opinion that considerable ongineering skill had boen displayed in the way the tlat had been fitted up for obstructing the river, without at tite same time offering much resistance to the strongT current of the Irrawaddy, -which would soona carry away any solid obstacle. The captured steamer wvill be used to carry coal for the expedition. It was decided that the sqnadron should ad- vance at daybreak on tho 15thl. Tho start was delayed for some hours owing to an unfortunate accident. The steam launch Argo, with Colonel Begbie, Commander Durnford, R.N., and Cap- tain Shone, was sent to convey General Prender- gast's orders to the various ships. The Argo was carried by the current against the Thooroah and capsized and sunk; two of the crewwere drowned, Colonel Begbie, Commander Durnford, and Cap- tain Shono were saved by clinging to the chains of the Thooreah. Their escape was almost miraculous, as there is little hope for any one who falls into tho rapidl and muddy current of the Irrawaddy. The loss of tho Argo wvas particularly incon- venient, as tleora wero only two steam launches with tho squat ron. About 10 o'clock on the 15th the squadron started-the Irrawaddy and Kathleen leading. The squadron consisted of sin largo steamers be- longing to the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, each with tw o large flats attached, tho Than-bya-dine, the Irrawaddy, and the armed launch Kathleen. As the huge Flotilla steamers and their flats crowvded withi soldiers steamed up the river, the sight was very striking. The men 'vere in high spirits, and eheered loudly at starting. Wo reached the frontier in about an hour, and the squadron halted. At the frontier village, tho British and Burmese telegraph oflicers stand face to eaclh other, separated only by a road. General Prendergast was anxious to re-open telegrraphic communication, wvhich lhad been interrupted, and on the previous evening a body of two or three hundred Burmese had oecupied the village. A foreo of Ben-ral troops, ulder General Norman, was lauded. Tilie Burmese had disappeared. While - the troops were taking possession of the village half-a-dozen shots were fired on them by somo men lurking in the adjacent jungle. A detach- mnent was left in charge of the village. W'hen we had passed the frontier about three *miles, a good deal of excitement was caused by tho nows that a large steamer was in sight coming down the river. The Irrawaddy went forward to engage her should she prove to belong to the enemy. It was soon ascertained that she was the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company's steamer,Doovoon', which had been sent some weeks previously to give information to Mr. Andreino and thc other Europeans at Mandalay of the ultimatum. having been sent, and which had since been detained at Mandalay; all hopo of her safety had been aban- doned. Tho Doowoou was accompanied by no fewer than four flats,and the width of the steamer and the four flats exceeded their length. General Prendergast and a party, of whom I was one, boarded the Doowoon. She left Mandalay on the 11th. all then being quiet there: The B3urmese Ministers had hesitated a long time before allow- ing her to leave. Among thYe letters on board the Doowoon was one from the Burmese Govern- ment to the Chief Commissioner, urging that the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company's steamers should resume their voyages, as their absence caused great distress in Mandalay. It was owing to their anxiety to have this letter delivered that the Doowoon owed her escape. It becomes every day more evident that, notwithstanding the clear and explioit terms of the qtlti'mahi '?, the Burmiese did not believe that any action would be taken on it. On the way down the Doo voon picked up two flats,vhich had been abandoned by other steamers. Althtough she met a Burmese Government steamer, she was not interfered with until she reached Yenangoung, about 70 niiles above Minhla. Fire was opened on them here by a Burmese battery. Unawaxe that hostilities had commenced,those on board the Doowoon, knowing the state of disorder which existed in Upper Burmah, believed they were assailed by dacoits. When they reached Minhla, the Burmese endeavoured to get the steamer to stop, signallingbthat there were cargo and passengers awaiting her. A number of Suratees, English subjects, employgs of Moola Mahomed 1amail, who farms the Burmese cus- toms, wera used as decoys. As tho captain was mooring his vessel, he perceived a number of armed Burmese concealed behind the Sur-atees. He immediately sheered off, and went away full speed; an attempt to board her was repulsed by the crew, whe killed the leader of the boarding party. Tho fort at Euligon then opened fire on tho Doowoon, and as she proceeded down the river evory battery fired on her, especially that at Sinboungway. The double row of flats on each side afforded good protection, but the Doowoon was a g.ood deal injured by the fire she was ex- posed to, portions of her upper decks being riddled witlh rifle bullets. Captain Mathews, the commander of the Doowoon, acted with great coutage and firmness under very t ring circum- stances. Ho was well supported by his" chief engi- neer, MIr. Macpherson. The Ghineso passengers on board gave every assistance, but the crew wore a good deal obstructed by someBurmose passengers on board, who endeavoured to force them to stop the steamer. One of these,a Burmese official,was taken prisoner and placed on board the Than-bya-dine. On the morning of the 16th we reached Inlat, where the battery which had engaaed the Irra- waddy on the 15th is situated. Inlat is on the western bank of the Irrawaddy, and cn the oppo- site bank of the river was a strong stockade. General Prendergast was anxious, if possible, to capture the Burmese troops in the battery and the stockade. T.vo columns of troops were landed. The larger force, on the western bank, meant to attack the battery in rear, was under the command of Colonel Rowlandson, of the 12th Madras In- fantry, as senior colonel, and consisted of the Liverpool Regiment, the 1st Madras Pioneers, and the 12th Madras Infantry. (Uolonel Sladen, chief civil officer with the expedition, and Colonel Ben- gough, tho chief of the staff, accompanied this column. The troops were landed about two miles below tho battery, and they had to make a circuit- ous inarch of some four miles. The eastern columnn consisted of the Welsh Fusiliers and a mountain battery of Artillery, and was commanded by Colonel Tilly. It was accompanied by Mr. Phayre, one of Colonel Sladen's staff. Vhile the western column was advancing tho Irrawaddy fired a few shots at the battery at a distance of about 2,500 [ yards.General ['rendergast's ob.ject was,if possible, to keep the Burmese troops in the battery amused and prevent them retreating. If they fled they were likely to become disorganized and break up into bands of dacoits. The fire of the guns from the Irrawaddy, worked by Lioutenants Davies and Ballard, of the Woodlark, was very accurato. A couple of shells burst right over the battery, which was somewhat difficult to aim at, owing tothe trees which concealed it. The Burmese at first replied to our fire, but their shots fell altogether short. After the second sholl from the Irrawaddy burst over the battery the Burmese fire ceased. The western column started at half-past 9, and by 11 o'clock it reached the battery, which was found deserted.Therewereeightnine-pounder guns in the battery, which was strongly stockaded. A Burmeso royal standard was captured, and a large quantity of ill-made gunpowder discovered in a pit, owing to one of the men of theLiverpoolRcgiment fallina into it and finding himself up to his k-nees in gunpowder. The guns were destroyed and the battery demolished. The troops were then re- embarked aL a point about two miles above the battery, the steamers having advanced to meet them. In the meantime the Welsh Fusiliers and the Artillery had reached Sinboungway, where tbey found a stronglyfortifiedstockade,buttbis was also abandoned, the Burmese soldiers having fled at their approach. The Welsh Fusiliers, who had to return to the point from where they started, marched some nine miles. MIr. [Phayre, who ac- companied the eastern column, had a very satis- factory interview with a number of Buirmese vil- lagers. Mr. Phayre, who speaks Burmese with fluency, explained to them that if they returned to their occupations they would be unmolested. and would be protected in the enjoyment of their property and privileges. The Burmnese villagers expressed themselves as quito satisfied, and stated that they would return to their homes and cultivate the land. They said that until they had received MIr. Phayre's assurance they had been about to flee to British territory. The utmost precautions aretaken to prevent the Burmese from being plundered or ill-used. All the troops en-aged in the expedition bave so far showvnthe'higheBt discipline, and have refrained from in any way molesting the people. General .i:rendergast,having ascertained that Chittagongian sailors employed in th:e steamers had stolen some fowvls and other small articles from some villagers, at once issued a general order that any person found stealing even the smallest object from tho Burmese would be severely flo-aed. The prudent and conciliatory course adopted has already had an excellent effect. As we advanced the villages along the banks wero found deserted, but as soon as the Burmese found their property was not attacked they flocked back to their villages. The Burmese peasantry so far have shown no inclina- tion to oppose the British advance. They seem to regard the invasion witl apathy. Colonel Sladen's proclamation, issued under Geineral Prendergast's orders,of which I sent you a copy by last mail, has been lar.gely distributed, and will no doubt have an exceiGent effect. I visited twvo or three of the Burmese villages we passed. The people seemed to be in the deepest poverty. Their houses are wretched and destitute of furnituro or any other property. In his work, Yule describes the poverty and misery of the villagers of 'Upper Burmah in 1855. The state of things which he then described exists now, but in a fa;r more aggravated form. The differencebetween thocondition of thevillagers in Upper Burmah and those in British Burmah could not fail to strilke tho most casual observer. The beauty of the river scenery and the richness of the country through which we passed form a striking contrast to the misery of tho people. After passing Sinboungway wo experienced no further opposition until we reached Minhla, MINHLA FORTS, Nov. 17. We arrived here at daybreak this morning, having experienced no resistance after leaving Sinboungway. The Mlinlila forts are the strongest position the Burmeso hold on the Irrawaaddy, and it was here that tho strongest resistance was anticipated.On the eastern bank of tho Irrawaddy, opposite the town of MIinhla, is the fort of Kuli- gon, Kooleygom, or Kulagong, the name being spelt in all three ways. This work is situated on a hill about 450 feet above the river, and is only 35 feet from its steep bank. It is a rectangular masonry fort, 240 feet in length and about 155 feet in width. The walls,wbicb are loopholed ar-e about 12 feet in heig~ht. The Minhla fort is sur- rounded and commnan~ded by houises, and has bee n _grcatly injured by recent feeods. 'It cannot cora- pare as a fortification wvith lRaloungoung. Both theso forts were erected by Italian engineers in the Burmese service. On our arrival, Kulagong ras seen to be crowded with imon, and a number of guns were mounted on the ramparts. A royal standard was flying on the southern face of tlho fort, and with our field glasseswe coulddistiiguish two golden umbrellas,showing. that officials of high rank were present. At Minhla, on the other hand, no signs of preparation for resistance were visible. At 9 o'clock a strong column was landed at Patanago on the eastern shore, about three miles to the south of Kulagong. It was commanded by GeneralPrendergast miperson,and consisted of the Liverpool Regiment and three Madras native in- fantry regiments thelst Madras Pioneers, and the 21st and25thMadras Infantry, witb a mountain bat- teryof artillery. Thecolumnstartedatlo'oclock,and marched for four miles through jungle, maldng a detour to the east, so as to attack the fort on the northern face, which is the least defensible. 'While the column was advancing through the jungle an irregular musketry fire was opened on it by Bur- inese concealed in the jungle, and one man in the Liverpool Regiment was wounded. As soon as tlho column started tho Irrawaddy opened fire on Ku- lagong with her 261b. rifled guns at a distance of 1,500 yards. She made splendid practice, almost every shoe telling. To the surprise of all Kula- gong made no resistance, and for half an hour there was no reply from the fort to the fire of the Irrawaddy and Kathleen, wlho had joined her. At length one gun on the eastern- side of the southern face of the fort replied with two shots. I was watching the fort at the time with a powerful glass, and could distinctly see that this gun was loaded and fired by a solitary man without any as- sistance. ieo behaved with great coolness, and it was only when two shells burst over his head that be retreated. Although the garrison made no resistanco they had not abandoaed the fort, as I could see them now and then peering over the edge of the rampart. A little after 12 o'clock the head of the column came up to the northern face of the fort. The Burmese garrison made no sign of resistance, and did not fire on tne advance guard. Thie troops entered the northern gate; it was only closed, not even barred, and was pushed open by three or four men of the Liverpool Regiment, di- rected by Colonels Sladen and Bengouih, who led the columns.Colonel Sladenguidedthe forcethrough- out, and was of great service. As our men entered, the Burmans streamed out headed by the Woon in command. The Liverpool Regiment fired one volley into tho fugitives, who were not further pursued. Fifteen guns were found in the fort, somo rifled, all of light calibre, ranging from three to nine pounds. A royal standard was also cap- tured in the fort. As Kulagong offered such slight resistance, it was not anticipated that there would be any fighting on the western shore. A heavy and con- tinuous fire of musketry was, however, heard from that side, and it was evident that r3vere fighting was going on. As the mail closes at 5 o'clock, and I was on the right bank, I am unable to give the exact details of the fighting, but the column had to storm several stockades and villacies. Tho fighting lasted over three hours. When kulagong was taken the Irrawaddy and Kathleen moved up the river close to tho western shore. As they ap- proached Minhla two masked batteries suddonly opened fire on them, A smart artillery duel foL- lowed. The Burmese worked their guns with great determination, although theirranaewas very short. They were supported~ by a number of riflemeu. The Irrawaddy and Kathleen replied to the rifle fire with their Nordenfelts. One of the batteries which fired on the Irrawaddy was placed in the fort at Minhla, which is surrounded and over- looked by houses. A shell from the Irrawaddy struck one of the houses near the fort, the town took fire, and was nearly completely destroyed. It burned fiercely for about two hours. The Kathleen had a narrow escape from destruction. After Minbla had taken fire and the Burmese -were driven out of the fort she approached the shoro, and moored close to a barge fastened to the shore. The barge was suddenly fired by a mine concealed in her, and blew up with a loud explosion, severely sbaking the Kathleen, but doing no other injury. Two men, believed to be Italians, were seen on the beach near the barge immediately before she exploded. They were dressed as Chinese, but this is believed to havo been a disguise. TH. BURMESE EXPEDITION.

[AvM]

The British and Burmese Steam Navigation Company Ltd.
por.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P_Henderson_&_Company

[pothkan]

As we were about to start a large steamer was seen coming down the river, escorted by the armed steam launch Kathleen,and in a few minutes we learned that the Burmese steamer Irrawaddy and her flats had been captured about eight miles up the river by the Government steamer Irrawaddy and the armed launch Kathleen.

Kolejny z "włoskiej dziewiątki"? Czy znany jest jakiś statek z tego okresu o owej nazwie, poza owym brytyjskim-rządowym?

[admiralcochrane]

Jesli to prawda, ze tylnkołowce zbudowano we Włoszech to w grę wchodzi chyba tylko Genua i stocznia w La Foce (późniejszy Cravero a od 1896 N. Odero), ktora budowała jdnostki parowe już od 1836 roku...

[pothkan]

Ha... przydałaby się lista stoczniowa

[admiralcochrane]

niestety, dostalem kiedys od A. Rastellego liste, ale okres do momentu przejecia przez Odero lista jest fragmentaryczna- wylacznie okrety marynarki Sardynii i Regia Marina...

[AvM]

H.J.Chubb & CLD Ducworth "The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company" NMM No.7 1973

Stern wheel vessels built by Yarrow

KENDAT (1886) 102grt sunk at Dedaywe 1920

1907-8 built 132ft double-decked taken over 1915 by thne Goverment of India for use in Mesopotamia
TIDDIM - lost en route whilst in tow of BI steamer in 1916 214grt FALAM did not return SIKKIM did not return , was the first proper hospital shjip,in Mesopotamia
Similar, but with one deck, also taken over 1915 by thne Goverment of India for use in Mesopotamia
POPA (1908) did not return PIMA (1914) did not return

1916 builing by Yarrow and taken over by thne Goverment of India for use in Mesopotamia, shipperd direct to Basra from Glasgow
PAUK (i) single-decker 162grt
SHILLONG (i) double-decker 214grt
SYLHET (i) double-decker 214grt

Replacement vessels built 1920
PAUK (ii) sunk at Settaung 1942 199grt single-decker
SHILLONG (ii) sunk at Shwegyin near Kalewa 1942 Lifted 1946 213grt double-decker
SYLHET(ii) sunk at Settaung 1942 213grt double-decker

132ft vessels were built 1918-9 by Yarrow, Vancouver
SAGA sunk at Settaung 1942 214grt single-decker
SIMS sunk at Settaung 1942 214grt single-decker
SIND sunk at Settaung 1942 214grt single-decker

[AvM]

W 1884 roku Denny zbudowal kolowy parowiec TULOUYUNGJINGYAW #298
dla krola Birmy
446bm 237grt 160'x24'x8'+5' compound 96nhp 1SE boiler 70lbs
zdobyty przz Rzad Indii po 3-ciej wojnie birmanskiej i wcielony do RIN jako kanonierka SLADEN

[AvM]

http://www.pdavis.nl/Burmah.htm

http://paddlesteamers.awardspace.com/Burma.htm

http://www.johnmcfall.com/upload/images/News/2008-05-16 burma story 2.jpg

[pothkan]

W 1884 roku Denny zbudowal kolowy parowiec TULOUYUNGJINGYAW #298
dla krola Birmy
446bm 237grt 160'x24'x8'+5' compound 96nhp 1SE boiler 70lbs
zdobyty przz Rzad Indii po 3-ciej wojnie birmanskiej i wcielony do RIN jako kanonierka SLADEN

O! To jest coś!

Wg Colledge: bocznokołowiec, listed 1886-1921.

Jest w JFS WWI, ale niestety bez zdjęcia...

[AvM]

[AvM]

Stocznie w Burmie, ale w rekach anglikow , ze wzgledu na tanszy koszt teaku mialy duza produkcje:

Rangoon

1785-95 5 statkow 2557t
1796-24 139 statkow 32274t
1825-39 13 statkow 3117t

Moulmein
1830-39 43 statkow 9453t
1839-43 64 statkow 17436t

avm

[AvM]

For memory:

T.A.B. Corley: A History of Burmah Oil Company 1886-1924 (London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1983)

[pothkan]

http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz/ship/show/274359

Jacht dla Birmy, o nieznanej nazwie. Jakiś pomysł?

[AvM]

#91 iron paddle yacht
303grt 188.0x18.0x8.0ft
Oscillationg engine 82nhp
engine #214 by builder
Emperor of Burmah

avm