Cochin-Chinese ships visiting Singapore and Calculta in 1830

In news items published in the Asiatic Journal becomes the following information dealing with Cochin-Chinese merchants ships available. The first item was originally published in the Singapore Chronicle dated 25 March 1830. The second item was originally published in the India Gazette dated 17 May 1830.

P. 57: “The Cochin-Chinese ships have touched here on their way to Bengal, whither they are proceeding, partly with a view of disposing of their cargoes there, which consist entirely of sugar, and partly on a mission to die Governor-general, for whom they bear a letter from his Majesty of Cochin-China. The quantity of sugar on board amounts to nearly 3,000 peculs each ship, which they are forbid to dispose of here, as it is expected that, through the assistance of his Excellency, it will fetch a good price in Bengal. That the Cochin-Chinese will find themselves palpably mistaken in this, after their arrival, there cannot be the least question, unless his Excellency, in order to encourage such a favourable opening for a more friendly and intimate intercourse between Cochin-China and the British nation than has hitherto existed, will be pleased to remit the duties on the importation of sugar, and otherwise promote the sale of such cargoes. We have not been able to ascertain the nature of the presents or the purport of the letter, these being delivered to the confidential care of a Mandarin who acts as head captain, or commodore, and who is of some rank, as he is entitled to have two umbrellas borne before him. We may however premise, that as his Cochin-Chinese Majesty has sent cargoes to be thus disposed of, and thus accompanied with a letter and presents, his wish is really to open invite a friendly intercourse. How far such ought to be encouraged, under such a commencement, we leave for those who are greater politicians than ourselves to discuss. His Cochin-Chinese Majesty exhibits, however, a much more enlightened spirit than his Imperial Majesty of China does, who, we presume, must be very much affected indeed by the " march of intellect," before he would bring himself to send such a mission. In each ship there are eighty sailors and ten officers of different grades, including two captains - one in charge of the ship, and one of the cargo. They are acquainted with the use of the compass, and have English charts; but how far they are competent to guide themselves by them, may be plainly seen by their applying, since their arrival, for European commanders to navigate them to Bengal, in which they have been so far fortunate as to obtain two for each vessel; we say fortunate, as otherwise we question much if they could ever have found their way to Calcutta. The Cochin-Chinese brig at present in the harbour proceeds no further, but is unloading here. According to our informant, she was but lately built and launched in Cochin-China, under the direction of an European resident there. The Cochin-Chinese, he states, have ten square-rigged vessels altogether, some of which are employed as men-of-war or cruizers.”

p. 138: “The king of Cochin China’s ship, the Phan Man, arrived oft' Calcutta last week, and lies at the moorings off the Old Fort ghaut; her burthen about 500 tons. She appears to be a stout vessel, built at Cochin China for a ship of war; but she has at present only a few guns on board, and those of small calibre, and cast in that country: she is tolerably well rigged. The crew consists of a European navigator and two officers, a Cochin Chinese captain, named Tan Beng Lai, a supercargo, Noyang Von Ching, and eighty-eight Cochin Chinese seamen, who are clad in scarlet jackets. The envoy, charged with a mission from his Cochin Chinese majesty, unfortunately died of fever at the Sand-heads. The body was brought up to Calcutta in the ship, and burnt at Neemtollah ghaut, a part of the ashes being preserved to be taken back to Cochin China. There are two other mandarins attached to the mission; but we hear they have not yet had an audience from the Governor-general. We understand that the European navigator, whom the ship took at Singapore, imprudently struck the envoy at sea, upon which a sentry cut at the assailant with his sword, and wounded him, but not seriously, on one side of the head. The navigator was afterwards seized, tied up, and beaten. Another affray occurred after the ship was in charge of the pilot, but the interference of the latter prevented any mischief, by representing that their grievances could be better settled at Calcutta. We subjoin a list of the cargo the Phan han has brought here. The sugar is said to be worth about five rupees per maund, at which price, we understand, it would be likely to answer as a speculation to England. It is expected that the government will remit the dudes upon this ship's cargo: Gold wire, 10 catties; tutenague, 500 peculs; sugar, 2,650 peculs; cinnamon, 50 catties; dried fruits, 3 peculs; elephants’ teeth, 5 peculs 70 catties; rhinoceros’ horns, 8 catties; China silk, 67 packages; Cochin China silk, 36 do.; coarse white cotton, 99 do.; coarse silk, 95 do.; silk twist, 10 catties; salt fish, 40 peculs; dried shrimps, 34 do.”

Source

The Asiatic Journal and Monthly Register for British and foreign India, China and Australia. Vol III. New Series. September-December 1830. London, 1830. Topic Asiatic intelligence. Digitized by Google.