Indo-China Steam Navigation Company Ltd.

Company pennant.^[1]

The Indo-China Steam Navigation Company Ltd. (ICSNC), was established in 1873 as a subsidiary of Hong Kong based Jardine, Matheson & Co., one of the largest trading companies in the Far East at that time.

Early History

With the advent of steam, Jardines became concerned that it might lose its former advantage in operating fast clippers. As a result, the company became seriously involved in steamships in the mid-1850s servicing the Bengal – China trade. Regular services up and down the coast, with occasional diversions to Japan, were implemented around the same time.^[2] Jardines established the China Coast Steam Navigation Co. (CCSNC) in 1873, which operated between Chinese ports and Japan. ICSNC was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1881 with a capital of £449,800^[3] The new company amalgamated the group's river, coastal and cargo interests,^[4] taking over CCSNC’s coastal fleet and sending ships to Singapore, Calcutta and Vladivostok. In 1885, a new service from Hong Kong to Manila began operating.

In the early 20th century, more than half of all the ships on the Yangtze River were owned by ICSNC and their arch rivals Butterfield and Swire. British investment in the Yangtze Valley, including Shanghai, had reached over £200,000,000 by the 1920s. This was almost equal to the amount invested in the whole of British India at that time, and significantly more than British investments in Africa.^[5]

Trade flourished until the end of the Second World War when the 1943 British–Chinese Treaty for the Relinquishment of Extra-Territorial Rights in China shut down the Yangtze River trade and routes between the Chinese coastal ports. In response, ICSNC diversified into the China — Australia trade.

Post Second World War

The company's funnel colours.

Passenger voyages between the Far East, Straits and Bay of Bengal was abandoned at the end of 1955 and in the same year, Auckland became a port of call on the Australia route.

Between November 1960-April 1961 Eastern Argosy and Eastern Star were plying the Hong Kong, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Wellington, Auckland route returning via Melbourne and Sydney to Hong Kong. The Eastern Glory and Eastern Trader operated between Hong Kong, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.^[6]

Later on, increased competition from Indian and Japanese companies reduced profitability and ICSNC, London was liquidated in 1974. ICSNC, Hong Kong moved into the bulk shipping business and also became involved in the Gearbulk container pool, as well as branching out into other industries.

Incidents

SS Hip Sang

The SS Hip Sang, an ICSNC cargo steamer of 1,659 tons, was lost on 16 July 1904 when she was torpedoed by the Russian destroyer Rastoropny west of the Kwantung Peninsula at 39°06′N 121°09′E / 39.10°N 121.15°E / 39.10; 121.15 after refusing to stop en route from Newchang for Chefoo carrying provisions.^[7]

SS Chak Sang

On 21 January 1942, the ICSNC owned cargo and passenger steamer SS Chak Sang was intercepted by a Japanese submarine and sunk west of the Gulf of Martaban, Burma. Five of her crew were killed during the attack.^[8]

Eastern Saga

One of the company’s ships, the Eastern Saga arrived in Calcutta from the Far East on October 29, 1957 and was searched by Calcutta Customs Officers on 30 and 31October and on 12 November, 1957. In the sailors' quarters, the officers found a hole in the wall panelling behind the back of a wooden seat which had been screwed to the wall. The hole was covered with a piece of wood and over-painted. When opened, the hiding place contained 1,458 bars of gold valued at more than Rs. 23 lacs (2.3 million rupees. As illegal gold smuggling was in contravention of India’s Sea Customs Act, the ship was liable to be confiscated, despite the gold having been smuggled on board by a crewman without the company’s knowledge. ICSNC lost a subsequent court case and appeal and ended up paying 25 lacs (2.5 million rupees) in lieu of confiscation.^[9]

Gallery

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  Company advertisement, 1923

References