Ceres (1787 EIC ship) facts for kids
 The East Indiaman Ceres off the Spithead Depicted in Four Different Views, by Thomas Luny, 1788; Sir Max Aitken Museum, Cowes, Isle of Wight
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Quick facts for kids History |
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.svg){kind=small} East India Company |
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| Name | Ceres |
| Owner | Thomas Newte, Esq. |
| Builder | Perry & Co., Blackwall Yard |
| Launched | 28 November 1787 |
| Fate | Sold to the Royal Navy in 1795 |
 Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Grampus |
| Acquired | 1795 by purchase |
| Fate | Grounded and abandoned January 1799 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Fourth rate in Royal Navy service: Storeship from December 1797 |
| Tons burthen | 118089⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 41 ft 3 in (12.6 m) |
| Depth of hold | 15 ft 6+1⁄2 in (4.7 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
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| Armament |
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Ceres was a large sailing ship built in 1787. She was an East Indiaman, which means she was owned by the East India Company (EIC). These ships were used for trading goods, especially from places like China and India. Ceres made three long trips to China for the EIC.
In 1793, a big war started between Britain and France. The Royal Navy needed more ships quickly. So, they bought many commercial ships, including Ceres. In 1795, the Royal Navy bought Ceres and renamed her HMS Grampus. She became a warship, but later, in 1797, she was changed into a storeship. This meant she carried supplies for the navy.
HMS Grampus faced some challenges with her crew in 1797. She eventually ran aground (got stuck on the seabed) in January 1799 and was destroyed.
Contents
Ceres: An East Indiaman's Journeys
Ceres was a busy ship, completing three important voyages to China for the East India Company. These trips were long and often dangerous.
First Voyage (1788-1789)
Captain Thomas Price was in charge of Ceres for her first journey. She left Portsmouth, England, on 5 April 1788. The ship sailed to Madras (in India) and then to Whampoa, a port in China.
On her way back, Ceres stopped at Saint Helena, an island in the Atlantic Ocean. She finally arrived back in England in June 1789. Sadly, Captain Price passed away shortly after the voyage ended.
Second Voyage (1790-1791)
For her second trip, Captain George Stevens took command of Ceres. She left Torbay, England, on 6 March 1790. Again, she sailed to Madras and then to Whampoa in China.
After loading goods, Ceres began her return journey in early 1791. She stopped at Macao (another port in China) and Saint Helena. The ship reached Long Reach, England, on 1 September 1791.
Third Voyage (1793-1794)
Captain George Stevens was again the captain for Ceres's third voyage. This trip began on 21 May 1793, after the war with France had started. Because of the war, Ceres carried a special document called a letter of marque. This allowed her to capture enemy ships if she encountered them.
Ceres was part of a large group of ships traveling together for safety. This convoy included many other East Indiamen and military ships. On 24 June 1793, the ships captured a French brig (a type of sailing ship) called Franc. The crew of Ceres helped take control of it.
Ceres reached Manila (in the Philippines) and then Whampoa in China. While there, several other East Indiamen were present. Some of these ships, like Warley and Hindostan, were later bought by the Royal Navy, just like Ceres would be. Hindostan had even carried a special British ambassador, Lord Macartney, to China. He was trying to improve trade and relations with the Chinese Empire.
Ceres left China in February 1794. She stopped at Macao and Saint Helena before arriving back in England on 10 September 1794.
In 1795, the Royal Navy bought Ceres and renamed her HMS Grampus. This was because there was already another ship named HMS Ceres. Captain Alexander Christie took command of the new HMS Grampus in December.
The ship spent time getting ready for naval service, including having her hull covered with copper. In September 1795, Captain John Williamson became her commander. He sailed her to Jamaica in March 1796.
Captures and Campaigns
HMS Grampus helped capture a French privateer (a privately owned warship) called Alexander on 1 April. Alexander had ten guns and a crew of 65. Grampus also helped rescue a Portuguese ship that Alexander had captured. Later, the Royal Navy bought Alexander and used her as one of their own ships.
In May, HMS Grampus was part of a group of ships that helped capture the island of Saint Lucia in the Caribbean. This was an important military operation.
Changes and Challenges
In September, Grampus returned to Britain. She was then changed into a storeship. This meant she would carry supplies like food, water, and equipment for other navy ships. Lieutenant Charles Carne took command in December 1796.
In April and May 1797, there were widespread protests among sailors in the British Navy, known as the Spithead and Nore mutinies. HMS Grampus was one of the ships involved in these challenges. The crew had disagreements, and the ship was used by some of the protesting sailors to get supplies. Eventually, the situation was resolved, and the ship returned to normal Royal Navy control by mid-June. After this, Grampus sailed to Jamaica in August.
In Jamaica, the admiral in charge, Hyde Parker, was worried about the crew of Grampus. He took steps to ensure order. By 1798, Captain George Hart was in command, and Grampus was serving as a transport ship, carrying people and goods.
The End of HMS Grampus
On the morning of 19 January 1799, HMS Grampus was sailing in the River Thames in England. She had a special pilot on board to guide her. However, the ship ran aground (got stuck) on a sandbank called Barking Shelf.
Despite efforts for three days, the ship could not be moved. So, the crew worked to remove her supplies, masts, and anything else that could be saved. On 21 January, it was decided to abandon the ship because she had too much water in her hull. A later investigation found that the pilot was to blame for the accident, not the captain or crew.
The wreck of Grampus became a danger to other ships trying to navigate the Thames. So, in April 1799, the navy decided to remove it. On 12 April 1799, the wreck was set on fire and destroyed to clear the river.
