The EIC's Forgotten Ship: The East Indiaman's Hidden Voyages

In Episode 134 of The East India Company: The Corporation That Conquered Nations, Lucas and Luna explore the forgotten world of the East Indiaman — the mighty merchant ships that were the literal engines of the Company's trade and empire. These vessels, built in Bombay's dockyards by Parsi master shipwrights like the Wadias, were among the largest and most advanced ships of their age, yet they remain overshadowed by warships and naval battles. Lucas reveals the grueling six-month voyages from England to India, the dangers of scurvy, pirates, and storms, and the surprising economics of private trade that made officers wealthy. He discusses the design innovations that allowed East Indiamen to carry massive cargoes of tea, silk, and spices while defending themselves with cannons. The episode also covers a little-known mutiny aboard the ship 'Kent' in 1800, where Lascar sailors revolted against brutal conditions. Throughout, Luna's sharp questions draw out details about life at sea, the role of the Bombay Marine in convoying these ships, and the eventual decline of the East Indiaman as steam power and the Suez Canal changed global shipping. A concise, vivid look at the vessels that built the Company's global network. #EastIndiaCompany #EastIndiaman #BombayDockyard #ParsiShipwrights #LowjiNasarvanjiWadia #KentMutiny #LascarSailors #Scurvy #TeaTrade #IndianOcean #Convoy #BombayMarine #AgeOfSail #MaritimeHistory #GlobalTrade #BritishEmpire #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo