Alexander (ship) facts for kids

Many ships throughout history have been given the name Alexander. This name is popular for vessels, and each ship often has its own unique story, from carrying goods and people across oceans to exploring new lands. Let's learn about some of these famous ships.

Alexander (1783 ship)

This Alexander was a merchant ship built in Hull, England. She became famous for being part of the First Fleet. In 1788, she helped transport convicts to New South Wales, which is now part of Australia. This journey was a very important moment in Australian history.

Alexander (1785 ship)

Launched in Bristol, this ship was first known as Alexander. Later, her name was changed to Prince. Sadly, she was involved in the slave trade, transporting people against their will. She sank in the year 1800.

Alexander (1794 ship)

This ship was built in France in 1791, but under a different name. She was captured by the British and renamed Alexander. She made one trip for the British East India Company, which was a powerful trading company. After that, she made several voyages between 1798 and 1807, also involved in the trade of enslaved people.

Alexander (1796 ship)

Built in Pembroke, Massachusetts, in 1796, this Alexander was a busy ship. She made at least three voyages as part of the maritime fur trade. This meant she sailed to distant places to trade for animal furs.

Alexander (1799 ship)

This ship was likely built in France or Spain around 1797. She was captured and then made longer and taller. Registered in Liverpool in 1801, she completed six voyages transporting enslaved people. After this, she sailed to Brazil and the West Indies. She was last recorded in 1809.

Alexander (1801 ship Shields)

This Alexander was a merchant ship weighing 301 tons, launched in North Shields. She became a whaling ship, meaning she hunted whales. She made one long voyage to New Zealand and the South Seas between 1802 and 1806, searching for whales.

Alexander (1803 ship Bombay)

A large ship, this Alexander was launched in 1803 in Bombay, India. She weighed either 600 or 746 tons. Unfortunately, she was wrecked in 1815.

Alexander (1806 ship)

This ship was built in the United States in 1801, possibly with another name. She became a ship involved in the slave trade, sailing from Liverpool. A French privateer captured her in 1807. However, Alexander later returned to British ownership. She then became a West Indiaman, carrying goods to and from the West Indies, and later a transport ship. She was last listed in 1816.

Alexander (1807 ship)

Launched in 1800, possibly in Hull or Selby, this ship was likely named something else originally. From 1807, she served as a West Indiaman. Sadly, she was wrecked on May 19, 1820, while sailing to Honduras.

Alexander (former HMS Comet)

This ship started her life as HMS Comet, a fireship for the Royal Navy in 1807. Fireships were used to set enemy ships on fire. Later, she was re-rated as a sloop and then a 20-gun ship. Comet took part in several battles. The Navy sold her in 1815.

In 1816, she became the Alexander, sailing for the British East India Company. She traveled between the United Kingdom and Ceylon. On one of these journeys, she was wrecked on the River Thames on August 9, 1828.

Alexander (1811 ship)

This merchant ship was built in the United States in 1811. She was captured during the War of 1812 as a prize. Later, she transported convicts to Port Jackson in 1816, similar to the 1783 Alexander.

Alexander (1813 ship)

Built in Aberdeen, Scotland, around 1813 or 1815, this Alexander first worked as a transport ship based in Plymouth. In 1817, the British Admiralty hired her for an important expedition. She was one of two ships sent to search for a Northwest Passage, a sea route through the Arctic. The expedition was not successful. After returning in 1818, Alexander traded between Britain and North America.

Alexander (yacht)

This Alexander has a different story. She was originally built as a cruise ship, designed to carry passengers on vacations. Later, she was transformed into a superyacht, which is a very large and luxurious private yacht.

See also

• HMS Alexander
•  Alexander (East Indiaman)
• French ship Alexandre