Last of the Indian Troopships HMIT Malabar

The Malabar was one of 5 purpose built troopships paid for by the Indian Government. She was launched in 1866 and all 5 were to the same design, they could carry a complete Battalion on Infantry complete with married families to India, some 1,200 people.

The names were Malabar, Crocodile, Euphrates, Junna and Serapis. Each had a different coloured band around their funnels - the Malabar was black, and all carried the Star of India on their bows.

The Malabar initially ran from Suez to Bombay, but when the Suez Canal opened in 1869 she went all the way from Portsmouth to Bombay, and back again in 70 days.

The Malabar lasted longer than any of her sisters and was finally withdrawn only in 1897, when she became the base ship at Bermuda. She was sold in 1918.

This atmospheric painting is by Charles Parsons Knight in 1881 and is in the National Army Museum in Chelsea.