Prominent in the earliest exploration of South East Asia, the East India Company gradually won control of India, and led the Western penetration of China. Almost continual warfare, the scandals of the opium trade, and the famous 'Tea Clipper Races' of the nineteenth century, makes the turbulent history of England's John Company fascinating reading, but this book delves further - into the lives and lifestyles of the Company's servants, its peculiar commercial organisation, and the technical details of its ships, the lordly East Indiaman. These vessels are described in depth, as are less well known aspect of its shipping, like the Company's private navy - the Bombay Marine - and its contribution to the development of early steam navigation.

The tale of how the Honourable East Indian Company attained its unique position, despite the opposition of its European rivals, is handsomely recorded in this book.

Author: Jean Sutton

black and white illustrations and photographs throughout plus
16 pages in full colour
160 pages
September 2000
206 x 258 mm
Hardback

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