History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

CHAP, IL] BOMBAY DOCKVARD. 61

tember 1810, written by Mr. T. Money, Superintendent of Marine, for the Government of Bombay.

“ Prior to the year 1735 there was no dockyard at Bombay. Surat was the principal building place on this side of the peninsula, and it may be said in all India. In that year Mr. Dudley, the master-attendant, was sent by the Government of this Presidency to Surat to agree with the builder there, Dhanjibhai, to build a ship for the Honourable Company’s service, to be called the Queen.

“In the construction of this vessel Mr. Dudley was so much pleased with the skill and exertions of the foreman, Lavji Nasarvanji, that after the launch he endeavoured to persuade him to proceed with some artificers to Bombay, where the Government were desirous of establishing a building yard; but his fidelity to his engagements would not allow him to yield to Mr. Dudley’s solicitation till his master’s consent could be procured. This was at length obtained with great difficulty, and in the year 1735, with a few shipwrights, Lavji arrived at Bombay, and selected for the place of his future operations a small part of the present dockyard, which was then occupied by the dwellings of all the principal officers of the Marine, the habitation of the Lascars, and by the common jail of Bombay. The avenues to these buildings rendered the yard open to the public; but, on the other hand, it may be observed that the resi-