Melville Castle (1786 EIC ship) facts for kids
Melville Castle was a large sailing ship built in 1786. She was known as an East Indiaman, which means she was designed to carry goods for the British East India Company (EIC). This powerful company traded spices, tea, and other valuable items from places like India and China. Melville Castle made seven long journeys for the EIC. In 1802, she was sold to Dutch owners and renamed Vreede or Vryheid. Sadly, she was wrecked later that year on her very first trip for her new owners, and many lives were lost.
Quick facts for kids History |
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.svg){kind=small} United Kingdom |
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| Name | Melville Castle |
| Namesake | Melville Castle |
| Owner |
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| Builder | William Barnard, Deptford |
| Launched | October 1786 |
| Fate | Sold 1802 |
 Batavian Republic |
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| Name | Vreede or Vryheid |
| Acquired | 1802 by purchase |
| Fate | Wrecked 23 November 1802 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 799, 806, or 80623⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 36 ft (11.0 m) |
| Depth of hold | 14 ft 9 in (4.5 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement |
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| Armament |
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Contents
Journeys of the Melville Castle
The Melville Castle completed seven important voyages for the East India Company. These trips took her to distant lands like India and China, bringing back valuable goods to Britain.
First Voyage (1787-1788)
Captain Philip Dundas started the first journey on January 6, 1787. The ship sailed to Bombay (now Mumbai) in India and then to China. She reached Bombay on May 22 and arrived at Whampoa anchorage in China on September 21. The return trip began in January 1788, and Melville Castle arrived back in England on June 24.
Second Voyage (1789-1790)
Captain Dundas set sail again on February 26, 1789, heading for Bengal, India. The ship reached Diamond Harbour on June 27. After loading goods, she began her journey home in December. Melville Castle arrived back in England on May 31, 1790.
- A Special Passenger: On this voyage, Captain Dundas brought a rhinoceros back to England. It was a gift from a ruler in India to a British politician, Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville. The rhinoceros was later sold for £700 to be shown to the public. Sadly, it died in 1793.
Third Voyage (1792-1793)
Captain Dundas began the third voyage on March 8, 1792. This time, the ship went to Madras (now Chennai) and Bengal in India. She reached Madras on July 21 and Diamond Harbour on August 15. After visiting several ports, the ship started her return journey in January 1793 and arrived in England on July 6.
War and Delays (1793-1794)
While Melville Castle was returning from her third voyage, a war broke out between Britain and France. This was part of the French Revolutionary Wars.
- A Change of Captain: Because of the war, Captain John Alexander Haldane took over command of the ship. He even got a special license called a letter of marque, which allowed him to attack enemy ships if needed.
- Ship Detained: The British government planned to invade a French island called Île de France (now Mauritius). They held many East Indiamen, including Melville Castle, to use as transport ships for soldiers. This plan was later canceled, and the ships were released in May 1794. The owners of Melville Castle were paid £2,562 10s for the delay.
- A Mutiny Averted: While waiting, a nearby ship, the Dutton, had a mutiny (a rebellion by the crew). Captain Haldane bravely went aboard and talked to the angry sailors, convincing them to go back to work.
- A New Path: During this waiting period, Captain Haldane started reading the Bible, which changed his life. He decided to leave his job as a ship captain. Luckily, he found someone who could buy his command and was approved by the East India Company.
Fourth Voyage (1794-1795)
Captain John Lambe took command for the fourth voyage. He sailed from Portsmouth on May 2, 1794, heading for Madras and Bengal. The ship reached Madras on September 11 and Diamond Harbour on October 15. The return journey began in January 1795, and Melville Castle arrived back in England on November 29.
Fifth Voyage (1796-1797)
Captain Lambe started the fifth voyage on June 27, 1796, bound for Madras. He had another letter of marque because the war was still going on. The ship reached the Cape of Good Hope on September 19 and Madras on January 9, 1797. She arrived back in England on December 13.
Sixth Voyage (1798-1799)
The sixth voyage began on April 29, 1798, with Captain Lambe sailing to Bombay. Melville Castle reached Rio de Janeiro on July 6 and Bombay on September 30. She returned to England on July 13, 1799.
Seventh Voyage (1800-1802)
For her final voyage with the EIC, Melville Castle was chartered by William Hamilton. Captain Lambe sailed from Portsmouth on June 28, 1800, heading for Bengal. She reached Kedgeree on January 4, 1801, and then sailed to Bombay. The ship arrived back in England on January 19, 1802.
- Rice Cargo: After this voyage, the East India Company offered a large amount of rice for sale. This rice had been brought to England by Melville Castle and three other ships: Travers, Skelton Castle, and Mornington.
The Sad End of the Melville Castle
After her last voyage for the East India Company, Melville Castle was sold to Dutch owners in 1802. They renamed her Vreede (or Vryheid). The government of the Batavian Republic (which was the Netherlands at the time) hired her to carry soldiers to the Cape of Good Hope and Batavia (now Jakarta) in the Dutch East Indies.
The ship sailed from Amsterdam on November 21, 1802. Just two days later, on November 23, she was tragically wrecked near Hythe, Kent, in England. Out of 474 people on board (crew and passengers), only 20 survived. This included eight soldiers and 12 sailors. A total of 454 people lost their lives in the disaster.
