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For centuries, trade featured
significantly in the history of Cochin which had witnessed many
expeditions and explorations by the Portuguese, Dutch and English
navigators and merchants.
In the chequered trading chronicles of Cochin, growth of Aspinwall is
prominent.
Old cargo carrying ship
The Portuguese Presence.
The landing of Vasco da Gama in 1498 and his subsequent arrival in Cochin
in 1500 heralded organized trading ventures in Cochin followed by Cabral,
the Portuguese navigator, organizing the first shipment of merchandise
from Cochin to Europe. One of the Aspinwall properties in Cochin is still
called "Cabral Yard". In 1503, a Portuguese expedition of six
ships commanded by Albuquerque landed in Cochin. The point known as
"Albuquerque Basin" adjoins the Aspinwall warehouse.
St. Francis Church
A Pioneer named Oughterson
One of the earliest commercial enterprises in Cochin was started by an
Englishman, J. Oughterson in 1844. The main business of the firm,
Oughterson Campbell, was timber, ship building and trading. Oughterson was
the president of the inaugural meeting of the Cochin Chamber of Commerce
in 1857.
Vasco da Gama's burial crypt in St. Francis Church
After the dissolution of his partnership firm, Oughterson started trading
independently and the business was later transferred to Scott Brothers
(under Finlay Campbell & Co. of London and Ritchie Stewart & Co.of
Bombay) in which J.H. Aspinwall became a partner, marking the beginning of
Aspinwall venture in Cochin in 1863. On acquiring the Scott Brothers
business, J. H. Aspinwall became the sole proprietor of the companies
trading in the name of Aspinwall & Company in 1867. Later W.N. Black
was taken into partnership and on the demise of J.H. Aspinwall, E.H. Black
was also inducted as a partner and the well known "Black
Brothers" consolidated the Aspinwall venture.
Aspinwall - Man of Destiny
Aspinwall was born in London in
1834. Throughout his stay in Cochin, Aspinwall took keen interest in the
civic and public activities of Cochin and was the Vice President of Fort
Cochin Municipality from 1875 to 1878. Aspinwall was also the President of
Cochin Chamber of Commerce in 1870. The development of the deep sea port
at Cochin owes a lot to this farsighted Englishman.
Under the dynamic guidance of Aspinwall, the Company traded successfully
in coconut oil, pepper, timber, copra, lemon grass oil, ginger, turmeric,
spices and hides and later in coir, coffee, tea and rubber.
Aspinwall's demise in London in 1884 was very much grieved by the trading
community, officials and people of Cochin. His numerous friends have
installed a commemorative tablet in the historical St. Francis Church in
Fort Cochin which continues to provide inspiration even to this day.
Commemorative tablet for J.H. Aspinwall inside St Francis Church
A Tale in the "Best" Tradition
The story of Aspinwall will not be
complete without a reference to Andrew Vans Dunlop Best.
In 1871, Aspinwall established a branch at Madras under the management of
a young Englishman, A.V.D. Best. In 1879, Best married the charming
daughter of Aspinwall. The entire East Coast business as well as the
properties were gifted to Best as a wedding present. This formed the
nucleus of the noted firm of Best & Co., which later on became Best
& Crompton Engineering Limited.
A.V.D. Best
Aspinwall Rises like the
Phoenix.
Like the proverbial bird which rose
from the ashes, the Company survived a devastating fire in 1889 which
razed to the ground all the buildings throughout the length of the Cochin
waterfront.
The Company suffered heavily but the excellent.
relationship built among the local
trading community and suppliers of products enabled the Company to obtain
timely assistance and recoup losses handsomely.
More Light On 'Candle Island'.
In 1912, the island of Ramanthuruthu off Cochin coast owned by Aspinwall
derived the name 'Candle Island' because all the candles manufactured by
lndo-Burma Petroleum Company (the only source for candles during those
days) were stocked on this property.
'Candle Island'
which provided mooring for the
large fleet of water borne crafts was also the stock point for the
Company's rubber and tea produce earmarked for exports. Another
well-known island called 'Gundu lsland' was acquired by Aspinwall in 1917
from the famous Paliyam family in Cochin.
The Vavasseur Connection.
The partnership firm of Aspinwall
acquired corporate status in 1920 and the controlling shares of the new
company were vested with the well known East lndia merchants J.H.
Vavasseur & Company of London.
Network of Plantations
Commencing from the beginning of the century,
Aspinwall's connections with major plantations were growing rapidly. An
extensive network of estates was developed and managed for tea, coffee,
rubber and cardamom plantations throughout South India.
Headquarters of Vavasseur & Company in London
'Croxteth Hall' Negotiates a Port
The concept of a deep water harbor assiduously sponsored by the visionary
J.H. Aspinwall was translated into action much later and the cutting of
the sand bar and approach channel of the Cochin Harbor was completed by
1928 resulting in the reclamation and formation of Willingdon Island and
the creation of Cochin deep- water harbor. In August 1928, the first
foreign-going steamer 'Croxteth Hall' under Aspinwall's agency entered the
channel and called at the inner harbor. H.H. Maharani of Travancore
(1896 - 1983)
A Royal Involvement.
In 1956, Aspinwall became a public limited company and the first sale of a part of shares of Aspinwall was to Narayan Investment Trust Pvt. Ltd., a company in which the Travancore Royal family has interests. This marked the beginning of the financial association and management by the Royal Family in n the Company. In 1971, the Royal Family came forward to take over the controlling interests of Aspinwall Group of Companies when the English Company desired to disinvest its holdings.
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