Beaver (1805 ship) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 United States |
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| Name | Beaver |
| Owner | John Jacob Astor |
| Operator | Cornelius Sowle |
| Builder | Eckford & Beebe |
| Laid down | 1803 |
| Launched | 1805 |
| Acquired | 1806 |
| Fate | Broken up around 1850 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | bark |
| Tonnage | 427 tons |
| Length | 107 ft (33 m) |
| Propulsion | Sail, 3 masted |
The Beaver was a large merchant ship. It weighed 427 tons. The ship was owned by John Jacob Astor, a famous businessman. It sailed the seas from 1806 until about 1850.
Contents
Adventures in the Qing Empire
The Beaver was built for John Jacob Astor. It was designed by Eckford & Beebe. The ship was finished in 1805. In 1806, the Beaver sailed to the Qing Empire (which is now China). Its captain was Isaac Chauncey.
When the Beaver entered the Bocca Tigris (a waterway), a British ship stopped it. This ship was called HMS Phaeton. A British sailor was forced to join the Phaeton's crew. This was called impressment. It meant British citizens could be forced into the Royal Navy.
Trading in Guangzhou
After this, the Beaver reached the port of Guangzhou. There, the crew bought many goods. They bought "a full load of Teas, Nankeens & China". These goods were very valuable.
Another Encounter
Soon after leaving, another British ship, HMS Lion, stopped the Beaver. Captain Chauncey refused to let any more of his crew be taken. Luckily, the Beaver was allowed to leave that evening. It sailed back to New York City. This trip was a big success. It earned Astor a lot of money.
Voyages to the Pacific Northwest
The Beaver was later planned to be a supply ship. It would help John Jacob Astor's new Pacific Fur Company (PFC). The Beaver and another ship, the Tonquin, were very important. They helped Astor expand his fur trading business. This was part of the Maritime Fur Trade.
Journey to Fort Astoria
The Beaver left New York City on October 10, 1811. Cornelius Sowle was its captain. The ship carried new employees for the company. These included Ross Cox and Alfred Seton. On May 9, 1812, the Beaver reached Fort Astoria. This was after crossing the difficult Columbia Bar. At the fort, they heard sad news. The Tonquin had been destroyed by members of the Tla-o-qui-aht nation.
Trading with Russians
After unloading supplies, the Beaver had new orders. Astor wanted it to go north to Russian America. The goal was to buy more furs. W. Price Hunt, the PFC manager, joined the ship. He would negotiate with the Russian governor, Alexander Andreyevich Baranov.
The Beaver arrived at New Archangel on August 19. The Russians bought goods worth about ₽124,000 (Russian rubles). They paid with valuable seal skins. These furs were at a Russian-American Company station. It was on Saint Paul Island. Bad weather kept them from loading the furs until November.
Unexpected Detour
Astor's orders were for the Beaver to return to the Columbia River. But Captain Sowle and Hunt found the ship needed repairs. So, they sailed to the Kingdom of Hawaii instead. Hunt stayed there. The Beaver then sailed west to the Qing Empire.
While in Guangzhou, Captain Sowle learned about the War of 1812. This was a war between the United States and Great Britain. The Beaver stayed in the port for the rest of the war. Finally, the ship returned to New York City. It arrived on March 22, 1816.
