'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎10] (29/622)

10
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
addressed to Sir Charles Malcolm, dated the 26th of December,
1834, as to the great reductions that had been made, without
sacrificing the efficiency of these establishments; and he
attributed the reductions in ship-building chiefly to the adoption
of 64 the system of contract, instead of the former system of
daily mustered labours under an inefficient control." By this
system, and the reduced price of timber and other materials
required in ship building, amounting to no less than fifty per
cent, since 1826, it was calculated that an eighty-four gun ship,
similar to the 'Calcutta,' could be built at a cost of <£21,026
less than in England; and he adds, "it is universally admitted,
that a Bombay teak-built ship is fifty per cent, superior to
vessels built in Europe." He also stated that merchant ships
could be constructed in Bombay dockyard, at a cost of £12 a
ton.
Several changes took place at this time, owing to the estab
lishment of the new Charter in 1833, by which the powers of the
local government and the Superintendent were curtailed. The
whole^ of the accounts in regard to pay and allowances
came into the hands of the Military authorities, and officers
were worried with numerous references, and with sheets of
foolscap full of frivolous objections as to items of expendi
ture.
The post of boat-officer was abolished, and the Court of
Directors, continuing their share in the process of reorgani
sation, for which the Service appeared to afford all the
authorities so ample a field, abolished the rank of master,^ who
wwvpassed midshipmen An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. , holding a warrant until they attained
their lieutenancy in due course of seniority, and instituted the
rank of mate.
Captain John Crawford officiated as Superintendent until
March, 1834, when he proceeded to England,t embarking in the
' "1 igris' for Cosseir. The Governor in Council, by General
Order, dated the 5th of March, expressed his thanks to this able
# ^ f ^ a ^ er P er i 0( i frhis rank was re-established, and was conferred on midship-
men and officers from, the merchant service employed with acting rank in the
Indus flotilla. Bj order of the Governor of Bombay, dated the 7th of August,
1835, mates (or passed midshipmen An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. ) received an extra allowance of fifty rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf.
per mensem. Under date of the 11th of August, in the same year, Government
sanctioned a revised scale of prize-money for the different ranks of the Service,
—commodores receiving one-sixteenth of the whole ; commanding officers of any
rank one-sixth ; lieutenants, surgeons, captains of marines, each fifty shares;
pursers, assistant-surgeons, chaplains, lieutenants of marines and mates, each
or y s ares; midshipmen An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. , clerks, native and warrant officers, each thirty shares.
Ihere were six other classes of recipients of prize-money, including European
pe y omcers and seamen, and the eleventh or lowest class, being the
unit, was entitled to one share. By order of the 10th of October, 1835, lieu-
enan s received four rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. of batta An extra allowance of pay granted to soldiers involved in special field service or to public servants on special duty. per day, and midshipmen An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. and warrant
othcers two rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. .
f Captain Crawford died in England on November the 10th, 1843. He was
only less distinguished as a surveyor than Captain Ross, and was worthy of being
ranked with his brother officers, Captains M'Cluer and Court.