'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎301] (320/622)

HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
301
There were two other points on which the Service had just
cause of complaint at the period at which we have arrived.
One, in direct antagonism to every scheme having for its object
the efficiency of the Service—which, as we have seen, the
Chairman of the Court stated the Directors had so much at
heart—was the employment of steam-frigates as packet ships,
by which it was impossible to train the men to their duty as
gunners, and all attempts at smartness and discipline were
rendered abortive.* The mail service was also rendered still
more unpalatable by an order from the Court, some two or
three years before, by which the officers were deprived of the
batta An extra allowance of pay granted to soldiers involved in special field service or to public servants on special duty. formerly allowed to them. This extra pay, small as it
was, was granted as a small remuneration for the discomforts
and inconveniences to which the officers were subjected by their
cabins being appropriated to passengers ; the Company re
ceived the passage-money, and denied their officers any com
pensation for robbing them of the accommodation to which
they were legally entitled ! And yet it was stated in evidence
before the House of Commons some years before, that the
Service had not only naught to complain of, but the officers
were happy and contented with their lot. From the first
establishment of the packet service, the entire body of officers
felt the duties derogatory to them as commissioned gentlemen
ranking with the Army, and officers like Captain Campbell,
who were the salt of the Service, complained of the indignities
to which they were subjected by the duties thrust upon them.
This was so far back as 1838, and the Court ordered that
the commanding officers should not be required to sign returns
like masters of merchantmen.
During the continuance of the Burmese War, the monthly
line of packets between Suez and Bombay, was run by the
'Ajdaha,' ^kbar,' and 'Victoria/ the latter a serviceable, but
slow, vessel of small horse-power. Formerly the officers com-
jmanding the steamers employed in the packet service, were
senior lieutenants, but when the steam frigates, 4 Ajdaha' and
'Ferooz,' which also carried the mails before the Burmese War,
Governor-Greneral secured for Captain Rennie a local recognition, but his com
panions obtained for their Burmese sufferings only money, and even the fortunate
exception gained nothing valuable at home." A Committee, consisting of a
Member of Council, the Commander-in-chief of the Indian Navy, the Master-
Attendant, the Assistant-Superintendent, and the Military Paymaster, was ordered
by the Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. at this time to assemble for the purpose of inquiring
into the grievances, and report upon the state, of the Indian Navy. The general
result of this investigation, as regards increased full and furlough pay, rank and
other pressing grievances, was, however, nil,
* A writer The lowest of the four classes into which East India Company civil servants were divided. A Writer’s duties originally consisted mostly of copying documents and book-keeping. to the " London Mail" of the 24th of November, 1853, observes :—
" Picture to yourself an officer and gentleman, brought up in all the strictness of
a man-of-war's etiquette and cleanliness, made to preside over the system in vogue,
and can it be wondered at that the packet service is detested by every officer in
the Indian Navy ? It is looked upon by them as derogatory to a gentleman."