Caledonia (1807 ship)

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For other ships with the same name, see Caledonia (ship).

History
United Kingdom
BuilderChester
Launched1807
FateLast listed 1847
General characteristics
Tons burthen445[1][2][3] (bm)
Complement
  • 1807:40
  • 1811:30
Armament
  • 1807: 20 × 18&9-pounder cannons + 6 swivel guns
  • 1811: 8 × 9-pounder guns + 12 × 18-pounder carronades

Caledonia was launched in 1807 in Chester. She sailed as a letter of marque West Indiaman, trading between England and Demerara. She captured or recaptured two vessels, and repelled an attach by a US privateer in a single ship action. In 1833 she made a voyage to India, sailing under one of the last licences that the British East India Company (EIC) issued before it gave up its shipping activities. Caledonia then continued to trade with India, Africa, and Peru. She suffered a maritime incident in 1840. She was last listed in 1847 after having returned to Lima in April 1846 in a highly leaky state.

Career[]

Caledonia first appeared in Lloyd's Register (LR) in 1807.[1] Captain John Thomson acquired a letter of marque on 4 November 1807.

Year Master Owner Trade Source
1807 Thompson M'Inroy Greenock–Demerara LR

In January 1808 Lloyd's List (LL) reported that Caledonia, Thomson, master, coming from Clyde, had detained the Danish vessel Neutrality, Ellison, master, which was coming from Vera Cruz. Neutrality foundered soon after. Caledonia arrived at Kinsale.[4] She arrived at Demerara in 22 days after leaving Kinsale.

In April 1808 LL reported that Caledonia, Thompson, master, had recaptured Olive Branch, which had been sailing from London to Berbice when a privateer had captured her. Olive Branch arrived in Demerara.[5]

On 18 October Caledonia was in the Mersey, preparing to leave for Demerara, when she had to cut her cables and get under weigh to escape a gale. She was resupplied the next day and was safe at anchor.[6]

On 9 November Caledonia, Thompson, master, was "all well" at

 WikiMiniAtlas
43°20′N 27°00′W / 43.333°N 27.000°W / 43.333; -27.000 on her way from Liverpool to Demerara. She boarded the schooner Amity, from Newfoundland to Lisbon. A sea in a heavy gale had struck Amity and washed her boats and everything from her deck.[7]

Year Master Owner Trade Source
1812 Thompson
Cameron 		M'Inroy Greenock–Demerara LR

Captain John Cameron acquired a letter of marque on 19 December 1811.[2] He had captained Caledonia before then. He had returned from Demerara to Liverpool, arriving on 25 June 1812 with sugar, rum, and bales of cotton.

On 2 November 1812 Caledonia, Cameron, master, as to windward of Demerara, on her way there from Liverpool. She encountered the US privateer Retaliation and an engagement ensued. Eventually, Retaliation, much damaged, withdrew to the mouth of the Orinocco River, where she watered and underwent repairs. On 10 November, Retaliation sailed to cruise off Berbice.[a]

Year Master Owner Trade Source & notes
1813 Cameron
Thompson 		Sanbach Liverpool–Demerara LR
1818 Tyrer Sanbach & Co. Liverpool–Demerara LR; large repair 1817
1822 D.Tyler
D.Tyrer 		Sanbach & Co. Liverpool–Demerara LR; large repair 1817
1823 D.Tyrer
J.Bispham 		Sanbach & Co. Liverpool–Demerara LR; large repair 1817, small repairs 1821, & thorough repair 1823

On 7 February 1825, as Caledonia, Bispham, master, was endeavouring to go to sea, she missed her stays and grounded on the North Bank. She rested there till the morning tide the next day when a steam tug got her off. She came into the Princes Dock Basin. Her cargo was being unloaded and it was expected that the dry cargo was undamaged. She had six feet of water in her hold and gave the appearance of being broken.[8] By one report the accident occurred as Caledonia tried to avoid running into a sloop ahead of her. Columbia was not broken and returned to the Demerara trade.

Year Master Owner Trade Source & notes
1829 J.Bisham
J.Town 		Sanbach Liverpool–Demerara LR; thorough repair 1823 & damages repaired 1825
1830 J.Town
W.White 		J.Tobin Liverpool–Africa LR; thorough repair 1823 & damages repaired 1825
1831 W.White
T.Stroyan 		J.Tobin Liverpool–Africa LR; thorough repair 1823, damages repaired 1825, & thorough repair 1831
1833 T.Stroyan J.Tobin Liverpool–Bombay LR; thorough repair 1823 & large repair 1831

In 1832 Caledonia returned from Bombay with 2494 bales and 180 half-bales of cotton, 1000 bags of pepper, 16 bages of cowries, 6585 deer horns, and 10 bags of mother-of-pearl shells.

Year Master Owner Trade Sources & Notes
1836 T.Stroyan Sir J.Tobin Liverpool–Bombay LR; almost rebuilt 1831
1841 J.Stroyan
Lawson 		Bold & Co. Liverpool
Liverpool–Bombay 		LR; almost rebuilt 1831 & small repairs 1840

On 2 July 1840 Caledonia, Stroyan, master, put into Mauritius. A gale had cost her her rudder and left her leaky. She then had to unload her cargo. In subsequent voyages under Captain Lawson, Caledonia visited both Calcutta and China.

Year Master Owner Trade Sources & Notes
1843 Lawson
Bibby 		Bold & Co. Liverpool–Bombay LR; almost rebuilt 1831 & small repairs 1840
1844 Bibby
Cumming 		Bold & Co. Liverpool–Bombay
Liverpool–Lima 		LR; almost rebuilt 1831 & small repairs 1840

On 9 March 1846 Caledonia, Cumming, master, sailed from Lima, bound for Liverpool. On 11 April she returned to Lima, leaky. Water was entering at a rate of 10 inches per hour.

Fate[]

Caledonia was last listed in 1847.

Notes, citations, and references[]

Notes

  1. ^ Retaliation was a brig of 194 tons (bm), seven guns, and 114 men under the command of Captain Samuel Newson.

Citations

  1. ^ a b LR (1807), Supple. pages "C", Seq.No.40.
  2. ^ a b "Letter of Marque, p.58 - accessed 25 July 2017" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  3. ^ Hackman (2001), p. 258.
  4. ^ "The Marine List". Lloyd's List (4221). 19 January 1808. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  5. ^ "The Marine List". Lloyd's List (5245). 19 April 1808. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  6. ^ "The Marine List". Lloyd's List (4294). 21 October 1808. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  7. ^ "The Marine List". Lloyd's List (4309). 13 December 1808. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  8. ^ "The Marine List". Lloyd's List (5985). 11 February 1825. Retrieved 3 May 2021.

References

  • Hackman, Rowan (2001). Ships of the East India Company. Gravesend, Kent: World Ship Society. ISBN 0-905617-96-7.
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