CHAPTER X
THE ENGLISH EAST INDIA COMPANY AND
BRITISH NAVY
The English East India Company—Its ships and discipline—Profits—Writer-ships—Tyepans—Exploits of the Indiamen—Capture of the Dutch Oriental fleet, 1795—St. Helena—Table Bay—Leisurely voyages, good fare, and pleasant episodes—Size and equipment of the East India ships—Development of the Royal Navy—British frigates—Guns and carronades—Nelson's flagship—Exploits of the British Navy.
MENTION has been made of the ships of the English East India Company—the famous old Indiamen—which so closely resembled the Royal yachts of that period, and their voyages were so much like yachting cruises, that a further reference to them may not be out of place. These vessels were fitted in the most luxurious manner of their time, for the conveyance of passengers, many of whom were personages of high official rank, social position and wealth, so that the social element entered largely into these voyages. It was therefore necessary that the captains and officers should be gentlemen as well as seamen, for it required almost as much social tact as good seamanship to command these vessels successfully.
In those days a voyage to India or China was a serious undertaking for passengers, requiring careful preparation: the most favorable season for a pleasant voyage was decided upon; then a ship
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