King George (1784 EIC ship) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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| Name | King George |
| Owner |
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| Builder | Perry, Blackwall |
| Launched | 1784 |
| Fate | Destroyed in an explosion in July 1800 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 755, or 776, or 83⁄94, or 800(bm) |
| Length | 143 ft 2 in (43.6 m) (overall); 116 ft 2 in (35.4 m) (keel) |
| Beam | 35 ft 5+1⁄2 in (10.8 m) |
| Depth of hold | 14 ft 9 in (4.5 m) |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Complement |
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| Armament |
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| Notes | Three decks |
The King George was a large sailing ship built in 1784. For many years, she worked for the British East India Company (EIC), making six long trips across the oceans between 1785 and 1798. She also played a part in a military operation to take over the island of St Lucia. Later, in 1798, her owners sold her, and she began trading with the West Indies. Sadly, the King George was destroyed in an explosion in Jamaica in 1800.
Contents
Adventures at Sea: Voyages of the King George
The King George was a busy ship, completing many voyages for the East India Company. These trips were long and often dangerous, taking her to distant lands.
First Voyages to India and China
- First Trip (1785-1786): Captain Jonathan Court took the King George from England to Bombay and Bengal (in India). She sailed through the Indian Ocean, stopping at places like Johanna before reaching India. After trading, she returned to England.
- Second Trip (1786-1787): Captain George Millet then sailed the ship to Bombay and on to China. This was a very long journey, reaching Cochin in India and then Whampoa Anchorage in China. She returned to England the following year.
- Third Trip (1789-1790): Captain John Sherwood commanded the King George on another voyage directly to China. She arrived at Whampoa Anchorage and then sailed back to England.
Later Journeys and Military Service
- Fourth Trip (1792-1793): Captain Richard Colnett took the ship to Madras and Bengal in India. When she was almost back in England, the East India Company got a special document called a "letter of marque" for Captain Colnett. This document allowed the ship to act like a private warship and capture enemy ships if they met them during wartime.
- Fifth Trip (1794-1795): The British government temporarily took control of the King George and other ships. They planned to use them to attack Île de France (now Mauritius). However, the plan was cancelled, and the ships were released. The government even paid the ship's owners for the delay. After this, Captain Colnett sailed the King George to China again, returning to England in 1795.
Helping the West Indies Expedition
In October 1795, the British Navy hired the King George to carry soldiers for an expedition to the West Indies. Her new captain, John Fam Timins, also got a letter of marque. The fleet tried to sail many times, but bad weather kept forcing them back to England. Finally, in April 1796, they sailed to invade St Lucia. The British forces successfully captured St Lucia in May. They then went on to capture Saint Vincent and Grenada as well.
Final East India Company Voyage
- Sixth Trip (1797-1798): Captain Colnett took the King George on her last voyage for the East India Company. She sailed from England to Madras and Bengal. On her way back, she stopped at the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. While there, an argument happened between Captain Colnett and his second mate, Mr. Reid, on shore. Because the ship had a letter of marque, the Navy's rules applied, even on land. Mr. Reid was later sent to prison for two years. From the Cape, the King George sailed to St Helena and then back to England, arriving in July 1798.
Becoming a West Indiaman
After her last EIC voyage, the King George was sold in 1798. Her new owners used her for trade with Jamaica in the West Indies. She was repaired to make sure she was in good condition for these new journeys. Records show that by 1800, J. Cundall was her master and owner, and she continued to sail between London and Jamaica.
The Final Journey and Fate
On July 7, 1800, the King George left Jamaica as part of a group of ships heading to London. She was carrying a cargo of Madeira wine and also had some soldiers who were returning home because they were unwell.
However, the ship ran aground (got stuck on the seabed) near Pedro Point, Jamaica, very soon after leaving. As the crew fired guns to signal for help, a spark from the guns somehow reached the ship's powder room, called the magazine. This caused a huge explosion. Most of the people on board were tragically killed. Another ship's report mentioned that the ship's master was Eilbeck and that some people were saved.
