‘HMS Jumna’, 1884 circa (b/w photo)

‘HMS Jumna’, 1884 circa. Photograph, 1st Sudan War (1884-1885), 1884 circa. The ‘Jumna’ was one of five purpose-built troopships paid for by the Indian Government and launched in 1866. Although built in different yards, the 'Jumna' and her sister-ships, the 'Crocodile', 'Euphrates', 'Malabar' and 'Serapis', were all of the same design, tonnage and dimensions. Each ship could transport a full battalion of infantry with its married families, or about 1,200 people. Although she was used during the Sudan War to move Indian troops to Africa, ‘Jumna’ spent most of her active career conveying British soldiers to and from the Indian subcontinent. From album of 72 photograph taken by the Royal Engineers with the Suakin Field Force.