Diana (1823) facts for kids

Diana during the attack on the stockades at Pagoda Point on the Rangoon River on 8 July 1824
Quick facts for kids History
United Kingdom
Name	Diana
Operator	Honourable East India Company
Builder	Kyds, Kidderpore, Calcutta
Launched	12 July 1823
Acquired	Purchased in 1824
Fate	Transferred to Burmese Government 1826 Bought to HEIC in Singapore 1837 Sold and renamed 1845
General characteristics
Tonnage	133 bm
Length	100 ft (30.5 m)
Beam	16 ft 8 in (5.1 m)
Propulsion	2 × 16 hp (12 kW) side lever engines Paddles

The Diana was a special ship built in 1823. She was a steam paddle steamer, which means she used steam power and large paddles to move. In 1824, the Bengal Government bought her.

During the First Anglo-Burmese War, Diana made history. She became the very first steam-powered warship used by the Honourable East India Company in a battle. After the war, she was given to the Burmese Government in 1826. Later, in 1837, the East India Company bought her back for use in Singapore.

Building the Diana

Drawing of the front and back of Diana

The Diana was built by a company called Kyds in Kidderpore, Calcutta. She was a merchant ship, meaning she was first made to carry goods. She weighed 133 tons.

Diana had two powerful 16-horsepower engines. These engines were made by Henry Maudslay in Lambeth. The ship was launched on July 12, 1823. The Bengal Government decided to buy her. This was suggested by Commander Frederick Marryat. Diana was also armed with Congreve rockets.

Diana in the First Anglo-Burmese War

The Honourable East India Company used Diana for fighting on rivers. This was during the First Anglo-Burmese War. In May 1824, she joined other warships. These included HMS Sophie, HMS Larne, and HMS Liffey.

They sailed from Port Cornwallis to Rangoon. There, Diana took part in an attack. She also helped in operations near Penang on September 19, 1824.

The Harbour of Port Cornwallis, Island of Great Andaman, around 1825. The East India Company fleet is getting ready to sail for Rangoon. Diana is the paddle steamer at the bottom left of this picture.

From 1825 to 1826, Lieutenant George Winsor was her commander. He sailed Diana with other ships against the Burmese. While she was on the Irrawaddy River, Winsor even made a map of the area.

Life After the War: Burma and Singapore

The war ended on March 8, 1826. That same year, Diana was given to the Burmese Government. Some records say she was taken apart in 1836. However, most information suggests she was sold to Singapore.

Diana arrived in Singapore on February 28, 1836. A company called Johnston & Co. put her up for sale. The East India Company bought her again in March 1837. They made Samuel Congalton her captain.

Diana's crew included her captain, two European officers, and thirty Malays. While working for the East India Company, Diana had important jobs. She helped stop pirates and also explored and mapped sea areas. Captain Congalton stayed her captain until 1845. Then, he became captain of her replacement ship, the Hooghly. It seems Diana was sold off again and renamed Eliza Penelope.