Britannia (1774 ship) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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| Name | Britannia |
| Owner |
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| Builder | Bombay Dockyard |
| Launched | 1774 |
| Fate | Last listed 1809 in Register of Shipping and 1810 in Lloyd's Register |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 305, 500, or 500 74⁄94, (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 27 ft 3 in (8.3 m) |
| Depth of hold | 12 ft 0 in (3.7 m) |
| Complement | 60-80 |
| Armament |
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| Notes |
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The Britannia was a ship launched in 1774 in Bombay. It played a part in an important protest against the Tea Act in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1774. Later, in 1796, it carried convicts from Ireland to Australia. This journey was notable because of the captain's harsh behavior. The ship then sailed to China to pick up goods for the East India Company. On its way, it explored four islands in what is now the Marshall Islands. The Britannia worked for the East India Company (EIC) until 1799. After that, it traded with India for several years. It even carried goods back to England for the EIC twice. Between 1808 and 1809, it was a whaler in the South Seas Fishery.
Contents
Key Journeys of the Britannia
The Charleston Tea Party Incident
In November 1774, the Britannia sailed from London to Charleston, South Carolina. It carried passengers and "seven chests of East Indian tea." The captain, Samuel Ball, Jr., stated he did not know the tea was on board. Local people strongly opposed the British tax on tea. So, on November 3, 1774, the tea was thrown overboard. This event is known as "The Charleston Tea Party." It was similar to the famous Boston Tea Party that happened a year earlier.
Voyage to Australia with Convicts
The Britannia was officially registered in Great Britain on June 20, 1796. On August 5, 1796, Captain Thomas Dennett received a special permission. This allowed him to capture French ships if he had the chance.
Under Captain Thomas Dennett, the Britannia left Cork, Ireland, on December 10, 1796. It arrived in Sydney Cove, Australia, on May 27, 1797. The ship carried 144 male and 44 female prisoners. Sadly, ten male convicts and one female convict died during the trip. An investigation into Captain Dennett's actions was held in Sydney. The report mentioned his very harsh treatment of the convicts. This report was sent to England. As a result, Captain Dennett never worked on a convict ship again.
Exploring the Marshall Islands
After its convict voyage, the Britannia left Sydney on August 2, 1797. It was heading to China to collect a cargo of tea. The ship sailed north into the area of the Marshall Islands. On September 19, Captain Dennett saw an island he named "Hunter Island" (Kili Island). Local people came out in canoes to trade breadfruit.
The next day, the ship saw another island in the Ailinglaplap Atoll. Dennett named it "Lamber Island." More natives came out to trade, but the Britannia kept sailing. Later that day, the ship stopped at an island in Namu Atoll, which Dennett called "Ross Island." This time, the Britannia stopped and traded with the local people. One native even pulled off a part of the ship's railing and took it. On September 21, the Britannia sighted "Princess Island" at 8°21′N 167°25′E / 8.350°N 167.417°E. This island is likely Lib Island.
Captain Dennett arrived at Macao on October 16, 1797. He was at Whampoa by December 2. For its return journey to Britain, the Britannia was in Macao on March 28, 1798. It stopped at False Bay on July 25, the Cape on September 8, and St Helena on November 17. The Britannia reached the Downs on February 4, 1799. It arrived in London on February 7.
Captain Dennett left the Britannia and passed away around 1800. The Lloyd's Register for 1800 shows Lambert as the owner and "Palmer" as the master.
Trading Between London and India
Captain Edward Hanoner Palmer took command of the Britannia on May 1, 1799. On May 28, the ship sailed from London to Madras. On September 24, it left the Cape with an American ship called Atlantic. They planned to sail together for a while. On October 8, another ship appeared to be chasing them. However, they managed to separate and escape.
Palmer and the Britannia left Madras on April 16, 1800. They reached St Helena on July 8 and arrived at The Downs on September 23. The Britannia returned to London on September 30.
The Lloyd's Register for 1801 showed a change in ownership. The Britannia was now owned by "Cleland Co." and its master was "J. Johnson." It also noted that the ship carried two 9-pounder guns and ten shorter 9-pounders.
The Britannia sailed from London on January 21, 1801, heading for Madeira and India. In Portsmouth, Captain Stout took over as captain. Benjamin Stout had received permission to command the Britannia two days earlier. Stout left Calcutta on October 28, 1801. On its way back home, the Britannia was at Kedgeree on January 4, 1802. It stopped at the Cape of Good Hope on February 7 and St Helena on March 26. The ship arrived at The Downs on May 29 and returned to London on May 31.
In 1802, Captain J. Reddy replaced Stout. However, the ship's master was still listed as J. Johnson. Captain James Reddy of the Britannia was reported to have died in Bengal on August 29, 1803.
What Happened to the Britannia?
There are some conflicting reports about the Britannia's final years. One report suggests the ship was still under Captain Reddy's command between 1808 and 1810. It was supposedly used by Cleland & Co. for whaling in the South Sea fishery. However, there is not much evidence to support this.
A record of whaling voyages does not include the Britannia. The Lloyd's Register and the Register of Shipping for 1809 still show it trading on the India-London route, with Reddy as master. The 1810 Lloyd's Register lists the Britannia with J. Reddy as master and Cleland & Co. as owners. Its trade is now listed as London-South Seas. The Britannia is no longer listed in the Register of Shipping after 1809. It also disappears from Lloyd's Register after 1810. This suggests the ship was no longer in service after these dates.
Britannia in Pop Culture
The Britannia's journey as a convict ship to New South Wales is shown in the second episode of the Australian miniseries Against the Wind.
