The Charlotte of Chittagong and other vessels at anchor in the River Hoogli

Franz Balthazar; 1792

‘Charlotte, Chittagong’ at anchor in the Hoogli River off Calcutta. She is shown in stern view on the left, with the name visible on the transom and in port-broadside view in the centre, flying a jack, a commissioning pendant and plain red ensign at the stern.

The date of the painting means that by this time Calcutta was the capital of British India and so yacht and dispatch vessels hitherto managed by the East India Company were now answerable to the Crown and would appear as naval ships.

With their large passenger accommodation these ships were previously used by the East India Company as dispatch vessels and to carry Company servants around the coasts and up the great rivers of India.

Strand Road Showing Group in Costume with Bullock Carts and Horse-Drawn Carriages, Sailing Ships and Other Boats On Hooghly River - Calcutta (Kolkata)

Sailing Ships and Other Boats Docked Along Hooghly River - Calcutta (Kolkata)

Calcutta (Kolkata) View - Sailing Ships and Other Boats Docked Along River Hooghly