Examples of Records of Appointment for Officers to be in the Bombay Marine and Indian Navy

 

 

 

Source: BL: IOR: L/MAR/C/688 - List of Appointments to Bombay Marine (and Pilot Service). Baptismal Certificates and Form of Allegiance attached in many instances - 1822 to 1832

This has a chronological cum alphabetical index at the front (to 1830 only). It is important to note that the page numbers referred to are not those stamped, but those written in ink. Also, prior to the ‘indexed’ papers are additional lists and memos seemingly linked.

The actual papers normally consist of a printed statement of appointment in a standardised wording, with additional correspondence relating to baptism etc.

 

Example:-

.

Within the entries for 1st February 1830...

.

p.120

 

‘I ... ..... John James Laing ... .......... being appointed a

Volunteer for the Marine . on the ......Bombay

Establishment, in the Service of the United Company of Merchants of

England trading to the East-Indies, do swear, that I will be true and

Faithful to the said Company, and will faithfully and truly execute and

Discharge the Trust reposed in me, to the utmost of my skill and

Power:

......................................................So help me God.

 

.......................................... ...............J.J. Laing

Swan

22 Decr 1828

.

p.121

.

...These are to Certify that John James Laing

was born at Edinburgh on the 19th September 1815.

and was regularly baptized in St. Johns Chapel

Princes Street.....................David Hodges Clerk

.Edinburgh........................St. Johns Chapel Princess St

...6th December 1829.............. Edinburgh

 

p.122

.

John James Laing appointed

by me a Volunteer in the Bombay

Marine ?as by Patronage? Of 1828-

G.C. ?Heurn?...............?H?y Tucker?

11th Novr 1829

 

 

 

Source: BL: IOR: L/MAR/C/689 - Appointments of volunteers for the Bombay Marine (and Pilot Service) - 1794-1830

This single volume is alphabetically indexed at the rear. There are two listings, the former relate to lists of volunteers beginning with the Bombay Marine 1794 to 1817; continuing with the Bengal Pilot Service from 1818 to 1830; then for the Bombay Pilot Service 1828. The latter listing listings generally are related to volunteers ‘attending the Committee’, beginning with the Bombay Marine jumbled chronologically from 1795 to 1829. From there are appointments of the Bengal Pilot Service August 1834 to October 1837

In a poor state, formatted but not necessarily clear to modern readers, as well as being exceedingly scruffy most of the time, no examples have been noted by me at this time.

Also, there are additional pages at the front, covering various subjects including the retirement of officers

 

  

Source: BL: IOR: L/MAR/C/711 - Indian Navy - Volunteers (Cadets). Original nominations, baptismal and other certificates - 1844-1848

Alphabetically indexed at the front, the numbers relate to folios. Some of these folios run to a great many pages. Apart from certificates of baptism, often there is correspondence on candidates’ education and also medical certificates. These records are now on microfilm. Difficult enough to read as original documents, in their present form they can be very problematical indeed and require patience and tenacity! No example is shown here, due to the considerable time required on any one case. Probably the best way of dealing with these documents is to have photocopies made and to struggle with these!

 

 

Go to examples of later appointments in the Bombay Marine 1863-77

Go to the main Bombay Marine & Indian Navy page

Go to the main H.E.I.C. page