British India Steam Navigation Company: A Maritime History

The British India Steam Navigation Company had a remarkable history that spanned over a century. It was founded in 1862 by a group of British entrepreneurs.

The company's early years were marked by significant growth, with its first ship, the S.S. Scindia, being launched in 1863. This marked the beginning of a long and storied maritime history.

The company's fleet expanded rapidly, with a total of 104 ships in operation by the 1880s. This expansion allowed the company to establish a strong presence in the Indian Ocean trade.

British India Steam Navigation Company played a crucial role in the development of India's economy, particularly during the colonial era.

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The British India Steam Navigation Company has a rich history that spans over a century. It was formed in 1856 out of Mackinnon, Mackenzie & Co, a trading partnership of Scots William Mackinnon and Robert Mackenzie.

The company's early years were marked by its focus on carrying mail between Calcutta and Rangoon. This service was a crucial part of the company's operations.

The company underwent significant changes in 1914 when it became part of the P&O group of companies under the leadership of Lord Inchcape. This marked a significant shift in the company's identity and organization.

In 1972, the British India Steam Navigation Company was entirely absorbed into P&O, bringing an end to its nearly 60-year existence as an independent entity.

At its height in 1922, British India Steam Navigation Company had more than 160 ships in its fleet, many built on Clydeside, Scotland.

The company's main shipping routes included Britain to India, Australia, Kenya, and Tanganyika. It also ran services from India to Pakistan, Ceylon, the Bay of Bengal, Singapore, Malaya, Java, Thailand, Japan, the Persian Gulf, East Africa, and South Africa.

Some of the company's notable passenger ships included Rajula, Dunera, Scindia, Sirdhana, Leicestershire, Dwarka, Dumra, the sister ships Kampala and Karanja, and Kenya and Uganda, and Dara, which was sunk by a terrorist bomb in 1961.

The Nevasa of 1956 was the final passenger ship built for BI, and it later served as a troopship until it was made redundant in 1962.

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The British India Steam Navigation Co. was registered in 1856 as the Calcutta & Burmah Steam Navigation Co. and later became British India Steam Navigation Co. Ltd. in 1862.

The company took control of the Australian S.N. Co. in 1886, which became Australasian United S.N. Co. Apcar & Co. in Calcutta with their fleet of five ships was taken over in 1912.

Nourse Line was acquired by B.I. in 1917, but their ships retained their identities. Strick Line was also taken over in 1919, and in 1935, a controlling interest in Asiatic S.N. Co. was purchased.

The company amalgamated with Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co. in 1914, with P&O becoming the parent company. In 1971, P&O S.N. Co. was reorganised into divisions, General Cargo, Passenger, and Bulk Handling.

Fares for passengers on some of these ships were £47 10s. to £52 10s. depending on accommodation, as of 1892.

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The British India Steam Navigation Company Ltd. had a ship called the Chantala.

It's worth noting that the enquirer in the ships list is unsure whether they mean the BI ship Chantala or Chintala.

Chantala was built by Barclay Curle and launched in September 1949.

She was delivered as a cadet ship with her sister Chandpara, and was intended to vary her routes.

Chantala had only 13,000 cubic feet of refrigerated space.

The ship introduced the Company's Britannia badge on her stern, which became a traditional feature of the last BI ships.