Irrawaddy Flotilla Co

The Irrawaddy Flotilla Co had many of its crafts built by William Denny and Brothers of Dumbarton. The 1000th craft built by them was commissioned by The Irradwaddy Flotilla Co. In 1914, it was documented in the Steamship Journal, that 'no fewer than 266 boats had been supplied to The Irradwaddy Flotilla Co.'

1950 Voluntary Liquidation. 'The Irrawaddy Flotilla Co., Ltd. founded in 1865, went into voluntary liquidation at an extraordinary general meeting in Glasgow yesterday. Sir Maurice Denny, Bt., chairman, a grandson of Mr Peter Denny, one of the founders, presided, and told a questioner that the terms obtained from the Burmese Government were the best , they could expect. Sir Maurice stated that the simple beginning of the company consisted of taking over four steamers and three flats from the Indian Government. As trade developed the company was built up until between the two World Wars more than 600 vessels were employed. When Japan entered the 1939-45 conflict the company carried thousands of refugees and operated for many weeks as the Army's lifeline on the river. Eventually over 500 units of their fleet were scuttled to keep them out of enemy hands. In 1946 operations were resumed, but in 1948 the new Independent Government of Burma resolved to take river transport into their own hands and the company's business was nationalised. On the whole, he said, the stockholders might feel that from the monetary point of view the meeting was not a disaster. Mr J. A. Ralston Mitchell, who proposed a vote of thanks to the directors, spoke of the company's achievements, and said that in addition to developing Burma the company had had most of its fleet built on Clydeside, and had obtained large orders for merchandise, machinery, &c for the West of Scotland.'

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