when was a coconut used to launch a ship
Ceremonial ship launching In India, ships have historically been launched with a Puja ceremony that dedicates the ship to a god, and seeks blessings for her and her sailors. Historically, Hindu priests would perform the puja ceremony at launch. In the 20th century, ship are launched with a lady breaking a coconut on the bow of the vessel, which is sometimes followed by a small Puja.[6]
East India Company Sir James Lancaster commanded the first East India Company voyage in 1601 aboard the Red Dragon.[21] After capturing a rich 1,200 ton Portuguese Carrack in the Malacca Straits the trade from the booty enabled the voyagers to set up two "factories" - one at Bantam on Java and another in the Moluccas (Spice Islands) before leaving.[22] They returned to England in 1603 to learn of Elizabeth's death but Lancaster was Knighted by the new King James I.[23] By this time the war with Spain had ended but the Company had successfully and profitably breached the Spanish and Portuguese monopoly, with new horizons opened for the English.[11]