Surti built oldest surviving UK warship
AHMEDABAD: India has been shamed in front of the world, thanks to crumbling bridges and cracking ceilings at the Common Wealth village. But, about 200 years ago the same Indian hands built for the
British empire a warship which still stands tall. The oldest surviving British warship — HMS Trincomalee
— was built by Surti boat builders, the Wadia family, in Mumbai
Courtesy : K.F.Keravala
1816 – May: Work finally began on HMS Trincomalee at the Wadia Shipyards at Bombay, near the teak forests of Malabar. Master shipbuilder Jamsetjee Bomanjee Wadia supervised construction, one of 14 ships he would build for the Royal navy during his life. In accordance with Zoroastrian tradition, an engraved silver nail was hammered into the keel to ensure the vessel’s well-being (little did they know how well it would work!)
1817 – 12 October
Trincomalee was launched amid great celebrations. The cost of her construction was £23,000. HMS Trincomalee Trust
Jackson Dock
Maritime Avenue
HARTLEPOOL
TS24 0XZ
Telephone: 01429 223193
Fax: 01429 864385
E-mail: office@hms-trincomalee.co.uk