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Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 4, p. 382.

382 THE INDIAN EMlZPIRE [CHAP. APPENDIX II The Royal Indian Marine As the Royal Indian Marine is, administratively, under the Military Supply Department of the Government of India, it is desirable to add a brief account of this service. The East India Company necessarily began its existence as a maritime body, and its ships soon became vessels of war as well as of trade. The armed naval force of the Company was created by the charters of Charles II and James II, but it was not till 1829 that the Bombay fleet was united with that of Calcutta and became the Indian Navy. The Indian naval force performed its duties with great efficiency and distinction. It fought with the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the French, and with pirates and slave-traders in every Eastern sea. It co- operated with the Royal Navy on various occasions, and an Indian naval squadron was for some time associated with that navy in the China seas. The Indian Navy was abolished in 1862, for reasons of economy, and because it was thought that the naval defence of India should be entrusted to the Royal Navy. The 'Bombay Marine' was then created, and was eventually amalgamated with the 'Bengal Marine' in 1877 under the title of 'Her Majesty's Indian Marine,' changed in 1892 to 'Royal Indian Marine.' Its duties were to be the local transport of troops and stores, the guarding of convict settlements, the suppression of piracy, marine surveys, and the protection of the ports. In I891 the turret ships, torpedo vessels, and gunboats belonging to the Indian Marine were transferred to the Admiralty. The Indian Marine has developed in the course of years into a highly efficient force, which has done admirable service in numerous expeditions over-sea and in scientific surveys. Its officers are appointed by the Secretary of State, from qualified officers of the mercantile marine; they hold rank as in the Royal Navy up to that of commander, and wear a somewhat similar uniform. The establishment of officers in 1904 was 26 commanders, 64 lieutenants and sub-lieutenants, io chief engineers, and 61 engineers and assistant-engineers, in addition to the Marine Survey establishment.