Bengal
Marine Establishment and Casualty Lists
Source: BL:
IOR: L/MAR/8/11 - List of Europeans employed in the Bengal Marine Department,
giving name and rank, casualty returns, condition of pilot vessels May 1793-Dec
1833
Fragmentary for
the 1790s, these are seniority lists through from the master attendant; his
deputies; the senior pilot, and down through pilots, masters, mates, boatswains
and seamen. It must be stated that they do not show which vessels they were
serving on, although some show dates, presumably of arrival or taking that
station.
The Casualty lists
can be highly enlightening.
For the more
senior individuals, from c.1814 reference should also be made to publications
such as the Calcutta Annual Register and Directory and The Bengal Almanac.
Also, for those
interested there are lists of their vessels; giving their rigs; where and when
built; when last coppered; and their present conditions. Most, but not all,
also give their dispositions.
Source: BL:
IOR: L/MAR/8/12 - Statements and abstracts of the Bengal Marine Establishment
as of the 1 May 1834. Includes lists of Europeans and Indian members of staff
and their dependants drawing salaries or pensions; accounts for each
department, list of steam vessels and their crews 1834
Again compiled as
a seniority list, this is highly useful for all sorts of research reasons. In
relation to seagoing craft, these are under useful headings, identifying their
type, dispositions and duties (from steam vessels through to hulks).
Source: BL:
IOR: L/MAR/8/13 - Lists of seamen employed by the Bengal Marine Establishment,
giving name, vessel to which attached, date and place of discharge and wages
due; with separate casualty lists giving name, vessels to which attached, date
and place of casualty and wages due January 1811 to 7 September 1821
This relates only
to seamen of the service’s ‘Cruizers and Surveying Vefsels’. Compiled by vessel, it would appear that only men
that had been discharged (for any reason including joining H.M. Navy and
death), pensioned or that were absent that are shown. This was a list drawn up
in September 1821, but some entries go back as far as January 1811
The casualty lists
only mention those dead and normally give the place and date.
Source: BL:
IOR: L/MAR/8/14 - Bengal Marine Department and Steam Engineers Establishment
Returns and Casualty Lists September 1848 to December 1852
This is one of two
volumes, covering 1848 to 1869 in total. The catalogue states:-
‘Returns for
officers, petty officers and seamen of the Bengal Marine Department, giving
name, rank, dates of appointment to present rank and entry into government
service. Returns of engineers, boiler makers, artificers and apprentices
attached to the Bengal Steam Engineers Establishment (plus abstracts of the
returns) giving name, race, rank, rate of pay, dates of appointment to present
rank and entry into government service. Lists of casualties
and staff changes in the Bengal Marine Department and Steam Engineers
Establishment, including name, rank and nature of casualty’.
Although
hand-written, damaged and faded in places, these are excellent records. It
should also be pointed out that these primarily relate to the steam
organisation. While some sailing vessels are mentioned,
seemingly not all and only their principal officers.
Source: BL:
IOR: L/MAR/8/16 - Staff Lists for the Bengal Marine Establishments, giving
name, dates of entry into government service and appointment to present
position, monthly and annual rate of pay 21st March 1873 to 31st
March 1874
Compiled by
establishment and vessel, there are two of these listings, for March of both
years. In describing the vessels, there is some basic technical information and
dispositions. Native crewmembers are sometimes mentioned by name, but not
always.
Source: BL:
IOR: L/MAR/8/18 - Bengal Civil and Marine Departments Casualty List December
1856 to February 1864
This is one of two volumes, covering 1824 to 1864.
There is a neat, alphabetical index at the front. The reports tend to follow a
simple format and denote those resigned, pensioned, dismissed and dead (at sea
and otherwise, such as by suicide). Only officers down to volunteers are shown.
There are no petty officers, European seamen or natives.
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