Of pride and glory
FM Mizanur Rahaman
June 01, 2022
According to historian and researcher Shamsul Haque, Chattogram's shipbuilding business developed on the banks of Karnaphuli, where merchants from across the world used to come to purchase ships and later sail them across the sea, loaded with their goods.
But it all started in 1818, with "Frigate Deutschland" – the first-ever ship made in Chattogram's Sadarghat area, which sailed across seas for nearly 40 years afterwards.
Its name went into oblivion until it came up in a book titled "Bandar Shohor Chattogram" by historian Abdul Haque Chowdhury.
However, Frigate Deutschland was not the name that it was given after its inception. The three-mast ship was initially named Alfred by its maker James MacRae, who built the ship in his yard on the banks of Karnaphuli, after being commissioned by Freaser Living and Co.
The story of Alfred becoming Frigate Deutschland is not an ordinary one. It is also a story of a merchant ship's transition into a battle fleet. According to "Uponibesh Chattogram" written by Haroon Rashid, Freaser handed over the ship to J Flint of London in 1828, who operated the vessel in different seas for 17 years.
In 1845, when Alfred was plying the waters of South America, it attracted the attention of JC Godeffroz & Sons, a German company, that had around 150 ships and vessels all over the world at that time.
JC Godeffroz & Sons bought the vessel and changed its name to Cesar Godeffroz.
In about three years, Germany and Denmark found themselves faced with the Schleswig-Holstein War over conquering two border-adjacent towns. The German side was left in a perilous situation when it came to face Denmark's navy, which was stronger than theirs. To deal with this crisis, the German government sought assistance from its citizens. German businessmen responded. JC Godeffroz & Sons was one such company to play its part by handing over Alfred to the German forces.
According to Haroon Rashid's book, following the handover, Alfred was renovated and turned into a battle fleet. It was then renamed "Frigate Deutschland". Thirty-two cannons were installed on the ship.
But the transition was not a smooth one. The vessel lost its previous capacity. Several technical issues came to light when it sailed against Denmark. The German forces later started to use it as a training vessel.
In 1852, when the war was over, Deutschland was once again handed over to a new owner. This time, it was bought by Roessing & Mummz and turned into a coal cargo ship to ply on the England-China sea route. Deutschland plied the seas carrying coal till 1858.
In 1858, the vessel was relocated to the German Maritime Museum.
"I knew nothing about the ship other than its name while writing my book. I started looking for more information and tried to contact relevant individuals and organisations in Germany as well," said writer Haroon Rashid.
"I got to know about its relocation to the museum through the German Tourism Board. The museum had the remains of the ship stored for about a hundred years. Now it has a small replica of the ship on display," he added.
Deutschland went on to sail for 40 years, which was very rare in that era as most ships were not very well-equipped to deal with the natural calamities on the seas. And that's how Frigate Deutschland created history.
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The man who drew Chattogram’s map in 1818
FM Mizanur Rahaman
January 4, 2023
But a Scottish general known in the history books as John Cheape, perfectly drew the entire map of Chattogram, the port city of Bangladesh which is surrounded by hills and ocean, some 200 years ago without any help of modern technologies that we see today.
Before John, one Major James Rennell had sketched the map of the city in 1786, but historians consider John's map to give the best view of Chatttogram.
John Cheape (1792-1875) was a civil engineer by profession. According to "Uponibesh Chattogram" (Colonisation of Chittagong) written by Haroon Rashid, John Cheape started his career at East India Company in 1809. He retired from the force as a general in 1866.
Drawing the map of Chattogram is a highlight of his carrier. It is not clear when he came to Chattogram, but many say John fought a battle in Anglo-Burmese war in 1825.
The map was drawn in 1818, which meant he was staying in Chattogram from the early days of his work life. Without having a profound knowledge about the city's every road, establishments, lanes, canals, river, port, hospitals, it is not possible to sketch the bird's eye view of Chattogram in such a perfect manner.
His pencil-sketch map had everything -- hills, forests, people's residences and religious establishments.
The places which were mentioned in the map are divided into two lists. In the first list, there were 62 spots and in the second list, there were 26 spots.
Besides, John pointed out the residences of the then English citizens who resided in Chattogram.
The map is now preserved in the historical British library of London.
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