Caerwent (1799 ship) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 Great Britain |
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| Name | Caerwent |
| Namesake | Caerwent |
| Builder | Rotherhithe |
| Launched | 1799 |
| Fate | Lost 1810 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 269, or 270, or 273, or 276 (bm) |
| Complement | 36 |
| Armament | 16 × 6-pounder guns + 4 swivel guns |
The Caerwent was a ship built in Rotherhithe, England, and launched in 1799. She was known as a West Indiaman, which means she was a merchant ship that sailed to and from the West Indies. In 1803, during the Napoleonic Wars, French forces captured her. However, the British Royal Navy quickly recaptured her.
After this, Caerwent went on one trip as a whaler, a ship that hunts whales. But she soon returned to her usual job of trading with the West Indies. Sadly, the ship was lost in May 1810 near Jacmel, which is in Haiti.
Contents
The Ship's Journey
Caerwent first appeared in Lloyd's Register in 1799. This register was like a big book that kept records of ships. It showed that Robinson was her captain and J. Thompson was her owner. Her main route was between London and Jamaica.
Captured and Recaptured
On July 4, 1803, a short time after a big war with France began again, a British warship named HMS Acasta took Caerwent back from the French. Captain Robinson was still in charge of Caerwent. The ship was then sent to Portsmouth, a major port in England.
Whaling Adventure (1804–1807)
On January 30, 1804, Captain Job Anthony got a special permission called a letter of marque. This allowed his ship to act like a private warship and capture enemy ships. At the start of this journey, a nobleman named Lord Camelford partly owned Caerwent.
When Lord Camelford passed away in March 1804, his ships, including Caerwent, Wilding, and Cambridge, were passed to his relative, Lord Grenville. Lord Grenville later sold these ships after they returned from their voyages.
Captain Anthony set sail from London in February 1804. His destination was the Galápagos Islands, which are far away in the Pacific Ocean. On May 29, Caerwent and another ship, Cambridge, were seen in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Later, they were reported to have reached Hood Island in the Galápagos.
On December 5, 1806, Lloyd's List reported that Caerwent, with Captain Anthony, and Cambridge were at the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Both ships returned to London on May 12, 1805.
The Register of Shipping for 1809 showed that Caerwent had a new captain, J. Stafford, and a new owner, Annen. Her trade route was now between London and Curaçao.
The End of Caerwent
On May 31, 1810, Caerwent, with Captain Browmer in charge, was lost. She was leaving the harbor at Jacmel, Haiti, on her way back to London when the accident happened.
The Register of Shipping for 1810 still listed Caerwent with Massingham as captain and Annen as owner, sailing between London and Curaçao. However, it also had a sad note: "LOST," meaning the ship was gone.
