Queen (1785 ship) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
.svg){kind=small} East India Company |
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| Name | Queen |
| Owner |
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| Builder | Randall, Rotherhithe |
| Launched | November 1785 |
| Fate | Burned and exploded 9 July 1800 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | East Indiaman |
| Tons burthen | 801, or 80136⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m) |
| Depth of hold | 14 ft 9 in (4.50 m) |
| Complement | 100 |
| Armament | 26 x 9 & 12-pounder guns |
The Queen was a large sailing ship launched in 1785. She was an East Indiaman, which means she was built to carry goods and passengers for the British East India Company. This powerful company traded between Britain, India, and China.
The Queen completed four long trips for the Company. Sadly, during her fifth trip in 1800, a fire destroyed her. This happened while she was docked at St. Salvador in Brazil.
Exploring the World: Queen's Voyages
The Queen made several important journeys across the oceans. Each trip was long and challenging, taking months or even years to complete.
First Journey: India and China (1786-1788)
Captain Peter Douglas commanded the Queen on her first voyage. She left England in February 1786, heading for Bombay, Bengal, and China. The ship sailed past Africa's Cape of Good Hope.
She visited many places in India, like Tellicherry and Kedgeree. Then, she sailed to China, arriving at Whampoa anchorage in October 1787. After loading goods, the Queen began her journey home. She stopped at St Helena and finally reached England in August 1788.
Second Journey: India's Coasts (1790-1792)
Captain Douglas was still in charge for the second voyage. The Queen departed England in April 1790, bound for Madras, Bengal, and Bombay in India. She reached Madras in September.
The ship carried interesting cargo, including 'Small's beer and porter' and 'Bells beer and pale ale'. These drinks were advertised for sale in Calcutta. The Queen sailed along India's coasts, visiting places like Masulipatam, Cannanore, and Cochin. She returned to England in May 1792.
Third Journey: War and Delays (1793-1795)
For her third voyage, Captain Milliken Craig took command. This was during the French Revolutionary Wars, so the Queen carried a special permit called a letter of marque. This allowed her to defend herself or capture enemy ships.
The British government briefly held the Queen 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 paid the Queen's owners for the delay.
The Queen finally left England in May 1794. She sailed to Madras and Bengal, arriving in India in September. After loading her cargo, she returned to England in November 1795.
Fourth Journey: Long Trip to Bencoolen (1796-1798)
Captain Craig again led the Queen on her fourth voyage. She left England in August 1796, heading for St Helena and Bencoolen (in Sumatra, Indonesia). She stopped at the Cape in South Africa.
The ship reached Madras in February 1797 and then Bencoolen in May. From there, she sailed to Diamond Harbour in India. Her return journey was long, and she did not arrive back in Britain until February 1799.
Fifth Journey: The Final Voyage (1800)
Captain Craig and the Queen began their fifth voyage in May 1800. They were sailing to Madras and China. This would sadly be her last journey.
The Tragic Loss of the Queen
The Queen was sailing with another East Indiaman, the Kent. They stopped at Salvador, Bahia in Brazil to get more fresh water.
Fire on Board
During the night of July 8-9, 1800, a fire started on the Queen. Most of the ship's officers and passengers were ashore. Lookouts on the Kent saw smoke before the Queen's own crew did. The Kent quickly sent boats and firefighting gear to help. However, strong ocean currents made it hard for them to get close.
The fire was discovered in the gun-room around 3 AM. No one had been in that area since 8 PM. It was thought that a Portuguese gunboat, which had come alongside the Queen, might have accidentally caused the fire. They reportedly threw something with fire into the Queen's gun-room opening.
Ship Explodes
The fire quickly grew out of control. Luckily, winds and currents pushed the burning Queen away from the Kent. This prevented the fire from spreading to the other ship. At 7 AM, the Queen exploded.
Many people on board the Queen were lost. An officer from the Kent wrote that many drowned after jumping into the water. He estimated that six passengers, about 30 soldiers, and 70 crew members were lost. Because the fire happened at night, and boats couldn't be launched easily, survivors lost everything they had. The East India Company lost goods worth about £30,421 on the ship.
After the Disaster
The Kent stayed in Salvador for over a week. She then took the surviving soldiers and passengers to Calcutta (now Kolkata) in India. The Kent carried about 300 extra people, making a total of around 440 people on board.
Kent Captured
On October 7, near the mouth of the Ganges River, the Kent met a French privateer ship called Confiance. This ship had 18 guns and 150 men, led by a famous captain named Robert Surcouf. Surcouf's crew managed to board the larger Kent and take control of it.
During the fight, 14 British sailors were killed, including the Kent's captain. 44 others were wounded. The French lost five men and had ten wounded. Surcouf later released the passengers on another merchant ship he stopped.
