Milestones

TROOP SHIP “DUFFERIN”

1904                                        :           Built in Barrow-in-Furness, England by Messrs.  Vickers, Sons & Maxim as a trooper of the HARDINGE Class.

1905                                        :           Taken over by Government of India at Bombay Routine trooping duties between India, Burma,  Malaya, Hong Kong and Africa

1914 – 1918                             :           Service in the Royal Navy during the war.

1919                                        :           Refitted as Troopship

12^th January 1922                    :           Sir. P. S. Sivaswamy Iyer’s Resolution moved in  Central Assembly to start a maritime training institution in India.

3^rd February 1923                    :           Capt.  Headlam committee appointed.

19^th March 1926                      :           Sir Sivaswamy Iyer’s Resolution adopted unanimously by the Central Legislative Assembly.

7^th July 1927                            :           First meeting of the first governing body held in   Bombay.

 

 

ESTABLISHED AS TRAINING SHIP

 

1. S. “DUFFERIN”

14th November, 1927                         :           I.M.M.T.S. shackled to her moorings off Mazagaon Pier. Capt. H. A. B. Digby-Beste assumes charge as the first Captain Superintendent.

23rd November, 1927             :           Seven out of Thirty Cadets of the first batch join. Training commenced on a trail basis.

March, 1930                            :            “Dufferin” made a permanent institution

14th June, 1930                       :            “Dufferin” Old Cadets’ Association formed

January, 1935                          :            Engineer cadets join.  Intake increased to 50

16^th December 1937                :           Capt. Digby-Beste retires and Capt. R. C. C. Mc. Clement took over.

1943                                        :           Capt. Mc. Clement retired.

1944                                        :           Capt. R. A. H. Mc. Connell took over

1945                                        :           Capt. Mc. Connell retired and Capt. M. F. S. C. Harvey took over.

15th August, 1947                  :            India becomes free.  The blue ensign lowered on the “Dufferin” and the national flag hoisted in its place with all due ceremony.

October, 1948                         :           D.M.E.T. established

1952                                        :           DOCA – Silver Jubilee Celebration.

October, 1958                         :           First Capt. Superintendent, Sir Henry Digby Beste along with Lady Beste visits the ship.

24th February, 1961                :           H. R. H. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visits the  ship

17th September, 1962             :           Capt. M.F.S.C. Harvey retires.  Capt. D.G. Hazari (ex-“Dufferin” 1931-33) takes over charge.

1963                                        :           First 3 months short course held

20th October, 1969                 :           Keel for the construction of a new training ship, to replace the aging “Dufferin” laid by  Shri K. Raguramiah at Visakhapatnam.

1^st January 1971                      :           Capt. Indrajit Singh takes over.

25th April, 1971                      :           T. S. “Rajendra” launched by Shri Raj Bahadur at  Visakhapatnam.

22nd February, 1972               :           Smt. Indira Gandhi the then Prime Minister receives  T. S. “Rajendra” from the builders.

15th April, 1972                      :           In a touching farewell “Dufferin” decommissioned.

 

1. S. “RAJENDRA”

16^th April 1972                        :           Vice President G. S. Pathak inaugurates T. S. “Rajendra at Ballard Pier

August 1976                           :           T. S. “Rajendra” participates in the President’s review of the “Indian Fleet”.

14^th January 1978                    :           Golden Jubilee Celebration.

30^th June 1981                         :           Capt. Indrajit Singh retires. Capt. V. N. Kansra takes over.

1^st March 1982                        :           Capt. A. P. Kothurkar takes over .

24^th March 1983                      :           Capt. T. K. Joseph takes over.

12^th February 1984                  :           President’s review of the fleet where Training Ship  “Rajendra” also participated.

13^th April 1987                        :           Capt. S. S. S. Rewari takes over.

23^rd November 1987               :           DROCA present portrait of Capt. Sir Henry Digby-  Beste to Training Ship “Rajendra” at a function held on board to mark the Diamond Jubilee of                                                                          “Dufferin”.

13^th January 1988                    :           “DROCA” Diamond jubilee celebrations held in                                                                   Bombay

14^th January 1988                    :           Bombay University grants its affiliation to its first ever floating institution “Rajendra” to start a three-  year Bsc. (Nautical Science) course.

 

1. S. “CHANAKYA”

5^th April 1993                          :           Training Ship “Chanakya” commissioned. 3 months courses conducted along with 3 years Bsc. (Nautical Science.)

1996 – 1999                             :           The first girl cadet admitted.