In the mid-20th century, when the age of steamers began to wane under the pressure of unreliable schedules, a new icon of hope floated into the hearts of the people—the wooden two-storey launch. From the mid-1950s to the 1960s, these vessels began to redefine the Dhaka-Barishal river communication system, emerging as a lifeline for both traders and travelers.

Departing daily at 5 PM from Barishal's Padmabati Ghat, these launches made key stops at Chandpur, Potti, and Munshiganj. What once felt like distant riverine journeys soon became streamlined trade routes. Barishal's economy began to flourish, becoming a bustling hub for wholesale and retail trade in goods like tender coconuts, fish, utensils, clothing, bangles, ribbons, and dye.

This river renaissance even encouraged migration—people from Dhaka, Munshiganj, Bikrampur, and Narayanganj found new opportunities and homes in Barishal, drawn by its vibrant market.

The two-storey wooden launch was more than a boat—it was a floating bridge of commerce and community between Barishal’s Chawk Bazar and Dhaka’s.

Some of the most memorable vessels of the time included:
Beauty of Bikrampur, Elliotganj, Mari, Basundhara, Syed, Saharunnesa, and Meherunnesa.

In the 1960s, a hearty meal of rice, lentils, and beef cost just two annas—and it was often included with the fare! With tickets ranging from 8 to 12 annas, the experience was affordable and homely. First-class cabins featured coconut fiber bedding and sturdy pillows, while second-class passengers shared similar arrangements on the upper deck.

Notably, many influential figures became synonymous with this golden age of launch travel:

• Kamal Chowdhury, owner of Beauty Cinema Hall

• The Mohan Miyas of Barishal Chawk Bazar

• Altaf Miah of Bhola with his launch Sanchita

• The owners of Metropolitan Hotel in Paltan with Rajhans

• Kalam Chairman, among others

Even beyond Barishal, Contractor-turned-Chairman Golam Maola connected remote areas like Borguna, Patharghata, and Bagerhat to Dhaka with single-deck launches like Suravi and Rezvi, offering daytime services and weaving remote communities into the national network.

And yes—no journey down memory lane would be complete without a nod to flattened rice and coconut snacks shared with fellow travelers under the moonlit sky.