Lady Mary Pelham (1811 ship) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
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| Name | Lady Mary Pelham |
| Builder | Falmouth |
| Launched | 1800 |
| Captured | 9 February 1815 |
 United States |
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| Name | Lady Mary Pelham |
| Acquired | March 1815 by purchase of a prize |
| Fate | Last press mention 1824 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 180 (bm) |
| Sail plan | Brig |
| Armament | 10 × 9&6-pounder guns |
Lady Mary Pelham was a sailing ship launched in 1811. She started her life as a packet ship for the Post Office Packet Service, based in Falmouth, Cornwall, England. Packet ships were important because they carried mail, passengers, and valuable goods across the seas. Lady Mary Pelham was known for bravely fighting off attacks from privateers (private ships allowed to attack enemy ships) in 1812 and 1813. In 1815, an American privateer captured her. After this, new owners kept her name. She continued sailing to Europe and South America until at least 1824.
Serving as a Packet Ship
Lloyd's Register, a record of ships, first listed Lady Mary Pelham in 1812. This was when the Falmouth packet ships began to be included in their records.
James A. Stevens became her captain on March 4, 1811. On October 14, 1812, the Lady Mary Pelham Packet faced an attack. This happened off Cape Pallas by a privateer ship. The privateer had 14 guns and 75 men. Lady Mary Pelham successfully fought off the attack. She arrived back in Falmouth on December 5.
Battle with Globe
On November 2, 1813, Lady Mary Pelham was under the command of Perring. She and another ship, Montagu, met an American privateer named Globe. This happened off Teneriffe. During the fight, Captain Norway and three others on Montagu were killed. Eleven sailors were also wounded. Lady Mary Pelham had two men wounded, including Captain Perring.
After the battle, Globe sailed to Grand Canary. She was badly damaged. Globe had lost 33 men and 19 were wounded. Six men were captured during attempts to board Montagu.
There were different stories about this battle in Britain. Some people criticized Captain Perring. They said he was not experienced enough. However, a later investigation cleared Captain Perring. It showed that Lady Mary Pelham's actions had saved Montagu from being captured. Her intervention also helped drive Globe away.
Captain Richard Moon of Globe also reported on the battle. He said his ship fought two British brigs (sailing ships) on November 1 and 2. He claimed Globe managed to silence the larger brig. He thought it had surrendered. However, Globe was badly damaged and sinking. She had taken seven cannon shots below the waterline. Moon decided to sail away to fix his ship. He believed the larger brig had 18 guns and the smaller one 16 guns.
Captain James Graham took command of Lady Mary Pelham on June 21, 1814.
Capture of the Ship
Captain Graham sailed from Falmouth on November 20, 1814. He arrived in Suriname in January 1815. Lady Mary Pelham then sailed to Barbados and Antigua. She left Antigua on February 1.
The American privateer Kemp captured Lady Mary Pelham on February 9, 1815. Captain Graham and seven of his men were wounded. Two men were killed before the ship surrendered. The fight lasted 40 minutes. Kemp had one man killed and three wounded. Kemp had six guns and 135 men. Lady Mary Pelham had 10 guns and 42 people, including five passengers. Before sending Lady Mary Pelham away with a prize crew, Kemp's captain took two brass cannons and most of her small weapons.
Kemp sent Lady Mary Pelham to Wilmington, North Carolina. There, she was officially taken as a prize on March 31, 1815. She was then sold.
An American Merchant Ship
Lady Mary Pelham was sold in Wilmington. Her new owners decided to keep her name. The money from the sale, about $4488, went to Kemp's owners.
After being sold, Lady Mary Pelham became an American merchant ship. Captain Sanders sailed her between the US and Buenos Aires. In 1818, under Captain Gillander, she arrived in New York from Havana.
On April 14, 1818, the French frigate French frigate Néréide accidentally sank an American ship named Noma. Lady Mary Pelham, under Captain Schouyler, later brought the mate and steward of Noma to New York from Bordeaux.
On June 14, at 43°12′N 14°20′W / 43.200°N 14.333°W, Lady Mary Pelham was fired upon. Two armed ships flying Spanish flags attacked her. Captain Schoyler thought war had started between Spain and America. He surrendered his ship. After it was clear there was no war, the Spanish ships released Lady Mary Pelham. She arrived in New York on July 22.
On January 24, 1824, Lady Mary Pelham arrived in Charleston. She was coming from Campechey and heading to Gibraltar. She continued her journey. Later that year, she was reported to be in Buenos Aires. This is the last time she was mentioned in news reports.
