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PS Myat Yadana  : Myanmar (Burma)
Myat Yadana Malcolm Oliver 1.jpg
Myat Yadana in January 2013. Photo by kind courtesy of Malcolm Oliver

BUILT BY YARROW, GLASGOW
LENGTH 200 FT   BREADTH 32 FT   DRAFT 4 FT
SPEED 8 KNOTS (UPSTREAM) 10 KNOTS (DOWNSTREAM)
GROSS TONNAGE 427.46
ENGINES : TRIPLE EXPANSION (16, 25.5 and 41 inches x 54 inches) 


The last remaining paddler in Burma has been restored and was offering tourists the chance to tour the Bagan area on the Irrawaddy River. However, she has once again been falling into disrepair and is beached and out of service as is shown by these photos taken in February 2019 by Kevin Hoggett.

Above : Laid-up near Old Bagan in February 2019, the paddle steamer now appears only to float at high water and was reported by a local source as being "broken". Her future, therefore, now lies in the balance.  Click here for more photos of Myat Yadana in February 2019 by Kevin Hoggett


Below : Two views of the paddler, also in 2019, by kind courtesy of Pierre Seair



On-line image gallery including on-board and engine shots : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO8257njQJc&t=1s 


RV Myat Yadana began her life with the name "Minthamee" when delivered to Burma for the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company from her builders, Yarrow of Glasgow in Scotland, one of four arriving in the late 1940s (including Minlat, Mingalay and Mintha). Four others (Maha, Mingyi, Mindon and Minnan were built at the same time by Denny's at Dumbarton). These ships helped replace the massive losses which were suffered in 1942 when much of the fleet was scuttled to avoid the ships falling into Japanese hands - and to obstruct the advancing enemy forces during World War II.

Minthamee became the private "yacht" of General Ne Win (and was the only one of her sisters to retain steam engines)

Local businessman U Khin Maung now owns the vessel and established a tour company Phwa Saw Typical Village Travels and Tours to operate her. Phwa Saw is a restored village open to tourists at Old Bagan to reflect the traditions of life in the Bagan area of Burma. However, in 2019 the vessel is beached and out of service

See also  Burma History


Myat Yadana Malcolm Oliver 2.jpg

Another 2013 view kindly supplied by Malcolm Oliver


Extrenal link for the history of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company

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