Madras Port &Harbour

Masula boats

Harbour, 1885.

 Until 1815, the harbour was an open roadstead and sandy beach, and ships had to anchor over 1 km offshore. Masula boats, which were simple, flat-bottomed and high-sided wooden boats that could handle surf conditions well, were used to ferry passengers and goods from ships to the shore.

Work on the new harbour started in 1910

 It was not until the 1850s that work began on a pier to berth ships.

Port

The port's official operations began in 1881, although maritime trade in the region dates back to 1639 with the foundation of the city.

 The foundation stone for the Madras Harbour Works was laid on 15th December 1875 by Edward VII, the Prince of Wales, and the artificial harbor commenced operations in 1881

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