<P> The company remained in existence in vestigial form, continuing to manage the tea trade on behalf of the British Government (and the supply of Saint Helena) until the East India Stock Dividend Redemption Act 1873 came into effect, on 1 January 1874 . This Act provided for the formal dissolution of the company on 1 June 1874, after a final dividend payment and the commutation or redemption of its stock . The Times commented on 8 April 1873: </P> <P> It accomplished a work such as in the whole history of the human race no other trading Company ever attempted, and such as none, surely, is likely to attempt in the years to come . </P> <P> The company's headquarters in London, from which much of India was governed, was East India House in Leadenhall Street . After occupying premises in Philpot Lane from 1600 to 1621; in Crosby House, Bishopsgate, from 1621 to 1638; and in Leadenhall Street from 1638 to 1648, the company moved into Craven House, an Elizabethan mansion in Leadenhall Street . The building had become known as East India House by 1661 . It was completely rebuilt and enlarged in 1726--9; and further significantly remodelled and expanded in 1796--1800 . It was finally vacated in 1860 and demolished in 1861--62 . The site is now occupied by the Lloyd's building . </P> <P> In 1607, the company decided to build its own ships and leased a yard on the River Thames at Deptford . By 1614, the yard having become too small, an alternative site was acquired at Blackwall: the new yard was fully operational by 1617 . It was sold in 1656, although for some years East India Company ships continued to be built and repaired there under the new owners . </P>

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