The year 1854 will always be perceived typical of the reign of private enterprise. The power of the middle class its prophets priests and kings was growing steadily. Steam was everywhere beginning to replace sail. This opportunity was grasped in both hands by William Macknnon a young Scot. He along with his partner profited enough to transfer their headquarters to Calcutta and soon formed in 1854 the Burmah Steam Navigation Company. Their fleet numbered 17 and regular voyages were made from Calcutta to Singapore Chittagong Andamans Madras Karachi Bombay and later Persian Gulf Britain East Africa Colombo Brisbane and spread to the Far East. Many of its ships even carried English troops during the South African War and in the China Expedition. However after the opening of the Suez Canal it faced stiff competition. By the end of its career it owned almost 500 ships and managed 150 for other liners. This book is a short history of the Company during the Second World War from 1939 to 1945. About the Author Hilary St. George Saunders (1898-1951) was a British author born in Clifton near Bristol. He was a chronicler of the Second World War.
