Sovereign (1800 ship) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids History
Great Britain
Name	Sovereign
Owner	1800:John Locke 1817:T.Ward
Builder	Randall, Gray & Brent, Rotherhithe
Launched	26 March 1800
Fate	Broken up in 1822
General characteristics
Tons burthen	650, or 671, or 67164⁄94 (bm)
Length	Overall: 132 ft 6 in (40.4 m) Keel: 107 ft 9 in (32.8 m)
Beam	32 ft 10 in (10.0 m)
Depth of hold	12 ft 3 in (3.7 m)
Complement	1800:60 1801:58 1804:55 1806:35
Armament	1800:4 × 9-pounder + 2 × 6-pounder guns + 20 × 18-pounder guns ("of the New Construction") 1801:14x18&9 1804:18 x 18&9 1806:16 x 18

The Sovereign was a sailing ship built in 1800. She started her life carrying goods from the West Indies. Later, she became an "East Indiaman" for the British East India Company (EIC). This meant she sailed all the way to India and back, making seven big trips! After 1817, she kept trading with India, but not directly for the EIC. The Sovereign was taken apart, or "broken up," in 1822.

The Ship's Journey

The Sovereign first appeared in Lloyd's Register in 1800. This was a list of ships. Her first captain was Mitchell, and her owners were Lock & Co. She was set to sail from London to Suriname.

Captain Gilbert Mitchell got a special paper called a letter of marque on September 17, 1800. This paper allowed him to arm his ship and capture enemy ships if he met them. The Sovereign left England on October 11 and returned on March 17, 1801.

In March 1801, the East India Company (EIC) decided to hire the Sovereign for one trip. They paid a certain amount per ton for her cargo space. Before she left, the ship was carefully checked by Randall for the EIC.

First Trip for the EIC (1801–1803)

Captain Gilbert Mitchell got another letter of marque in July 1801. He sailed from Portsmouth on September 9, heading for Bombay and Bengal in India.

The Sovereign arrived at Cochin on January 26, 1802, and then at Bombay on February 10. She also visited Surat before returning to Bombay. She continued her journey, reaching Anjengo and then Calcutta by May 28.

On her way back home, she stopped at Culpee and Madras. She then reached St Helena in December and finally arrived back in England at the Downs on February 15, 1803.

In March 1804, the EIC hired the Sovereign for four more trips!

Second Trip for the EIC (1804–1805)

Captain Richard Meriton took over and got a letter of marque in June 1804. He sailed from Portsmouth on July 10, heading for Madras and Calcutta.

The Sovereign stopped at Madeira and arrived in Calcutta on December 8. For her return journey, she was at Kedgeree and Madras. She reached St Helena in July 20, 1805, and arrived back in England on September 12. Sadly, Captain Meriton passed away sometime before August 1805.

Third Trip for the EIC (1806–1807)

Captain Alexander Campbell became the new captain. He got a letter of marque in January 2006. He sailed from Portsmouth on March 30, heading for Madras and Bengal.

The Sovereign visited São Tiago and arrived at Madras on August 27. She reached Calcutta on September 27. On her way back, she was at Saugor and Point de Galle. She reached St Helena in June and arrived back in England on September 6, 1807.

Fourth Trip for the EIC (1808–1809)

Captain Campbell sailed again from Portsmouth on April 15, 1808. This trip was also to Madras and Bengal.

The Sovereign arrived at Madras on August 23 and Calcutta on September 14. For her return journey, she stopped at Saugor and Point de Galle. She reached St Helena in April and arrived back in England on July 13, 1809.

Fifth Trip for the EIC (1810–1811)

Captain Campbell continued his voyages. He sailed from Portsmouth on April 13, 1810, again heading for Madras and Bengal.

The Sovereign stopped at São Tiago, then arrived at Madras on August 28, and Calcutta on October 3. On her way home, she was at Saugor. She reached St Helena in March 1811 and arrived back in England on July 13.

In October 1811, the EIC hired the Sovereign for one more trip.

Sixth Trip for the EIC (1812–1813)

Captain Campbell made his last EIC voyage, sailing from Portsmouth on April 8, 1812. This trip was also to Madras and Bengal.

The Sovereign reached Madras on August 2 and Calcutta on August 19. On her way back, she was in the Eastern Channel. She reached St Helena on April 1, 1813, and arrived back in England on June 5.

Working as a Transport Ship

After her EIC voyages, the Sovereign became a transport ship. This meant she carried people or goods for other purposes. On August 25, 1813, with Bell as her master, she sailed to Quebec, Canada. She arrived there on November 4.

In October 1815, the EIC hired the Sovereign for one last voyage, this time to China.

Seventh Trip for the EIC (1816–1817)

Captain John Alexander Telfer sailed from the Downs on March 26, 1816, heading for China.

The Sovereign stopped at St Helena in June. She reached Batavia (which is now Jakarta, Indonesia) on September 30. She finally arrived at Whampoa Anchorage in China on January 7, 1817.

On her way back home, she crossed the Second Bar on March 1. She reached St Helena in June and arrived back in England on August 8.

Later Life as a Merchant Ship

After her last EIC trip, Lock sold the Sovereign. However, her new owner, T. Ward, continued to use her for trading with India. This was done under a special license from the EIC. On April 21, 1818, Captain R.J. Barton sailed her to Bengal.

The Sovereign returned on June 6, 1819. It's not clear if she sailed again after this.

The End of the Journey

On September 17, 1822, the Sovereign's official record was closed. This means she was taken apart, or "broken up," as her working life was over.