Scarborough (1740 EIC ship) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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| Name | Scarborough |
| Owner | John Raymond |
| Builder | Carter, Limehouse |
| Launched | December 1740 |
| Fate | Sold 1753 for breaking up |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 499, or 545 (bm) |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Complement | 99 |
| Armament | 30 guns |
The Scarborough was a large sailing ship built in December 1740. It was a special type of ship called an East Indiaman. These ships belonged to the British East India Company (EIC). The EIC was a powerful trading company. The Scarborough made four long journeys. It sailed all the way to India and China. This ship is famous because it found a place called Scarborough Shoal. This happened when the ship accidentally got stuck there on September 12, 1748. The Scarborough was used until 1753. Then it was taken apart.
Contents
Getting Ready for Sea
In May 1741, the Scarborough was in Portsmouth, England. It needed some important repairs. Workers had to unload everything from the ship. Then they fixed it. After that, they loaded it all back up again.
Captain George Westcott was in charge of the Scarborough. He was a very experienced sailor. He had already sailed to India twice on an older ship also named Scarborough.
Voyages
First Big Journey (1741-1742)
Captain Westcott started the first journey on May 4, 1741. The ship left Portsmouth, England. Its goal was to reach Madras and Bengal in India. The Scarborough sailed around Africa. It stopped at the Cape of Good Hope on August 14. This is the southern tip of Africa. Then it sailed across the Indian Ocean. It arrived in Vizagapatam, India, on December 15. Finally, it reached Culpee, near Calcutta, on January 11, 1742.
To return home, the ship sailed to St Helena. This is a small island in the Atlantic Ocean. It arrived there on June 21. The Indiamen Scarborough, Northampton, Queen Caroline, Halifax, Royal George, Kent, and the small ship Swift left St Helena on June 26. Two British Navy ships, HMS Argyll and HMS Lynn, protected them. They all sailed together. They reached Dover, England, safely on September 16. The Scarborough finished its journey in Portsmouth on September 19. It arrived at the Downs on September 28.
Second Big Journey (1744-1746)
Captain George Westcott was still the captain. The Scarborough began its second trip on February 28, 1744. It left from Torbay, England. The ship was heading to Madras and Bengal again. It stopped at Madeira on April 27. Then it reached the Cape of Good Hope on August 13. The ship arrived in Madras on December 11.
On its way back, the Scarborough sailed through the Rogues River. This is a section of the Hooghly River in India. This was on January 24, 1745. It stopped at St Helena on July 8. Then it visited Lisbon, Portugal, on October 17. The ship finally arrived back in England on January 21, 1746.
Third Big Journey (1748-1749) - Finding Scarborough Shoal
Captain Philip D'Auvergne took command for this journey. The Scarborough left Portsmouth on January 25, 1748. This time, it was going to Fort St David in India and then to China. It reached Fort St David on June 8. On August 12, it was in Malacca, on its way to China.
The Ship Gets Stuck!
On September 12, a big event happened. The Scarborough accidentally hit some rocks. It got stuck on a shallow area of the sea floor. This place is now called Scarborough Shoal (15°11′N 117°46′E / 15.183°N 117.767°E). A "shoal" is like a hidden underwater mountain or reef. Captain D'Auvergne tried everything to free the ship. He ordered the crew to throw heavy cannons overboard. They also emptied water barrels. This was to make the ship lighter. But it didn't work. They even tried pulling the ship with anchors and small boats. Nothing helped.
Luckily, the ocean tides and waves became stronger. The rising water and big swells finally lifted the ship off the rocks! The Scarborough was free. It continued its journey to China. It arrived at Whampoa on September 21.
Heading Home
To return to England, the ship left China on December 15. It sailed past the Second Bar. This is about 20 miles before Whampoa. It reached the Cape of Good Hope on March 3, 1749. Then it stopped at St Helena on April 1. The Scarborough finally arrived back in England on June 20.
Fourth Big Journey (1751-1753)
Captain Philip D'Auvergne started the fourth and final journey. The Scarborough left the Downs on February 1, 1751. It was heading to Madras and Bengal again. It stopped at São Tiago, Cape Verde, on February 27. Then it reached Fort St David on July 7. The ship arrived in Madras on July 21 and Culpee on August 6.
On its way back, the ship was at Barrabulla. This is a sandbank near Kedgeree in the Hooghli River. This was on February 23, 1752. The Scarborough needed more repairs. So, it stopped at Mauritius on June 15. It stayed there for a long time, leaving only on October 20. It reached St Helena on December 2. The ship finally arrived back in England on February 10, 1753.
The End of the Journey
After its last long trip, the owners of the Scarborough decided to sell it. In 1753, the ship was sold to be taken apart. This means its useful parts were removed and reused. The Scarborough's sailing days were over.
