Union (sloop) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 United States |
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| Name | Union |
| Laid down | 1792, Somerset, Massachusetts |
| Launched | 1792 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | sloop |
| Tons burthen | 94 (bm) |
| Length | 65 ft 5 in (19.9 m) |
| Beam | 19 ft 9 in (6.0 m) |
| Depth | 8 ft 5 in (2.6 m) |
| Decks | One |
| Propulsion | Sail (one mast) |
| Sail plan | Fore-and-aft rig |
| Crew | 22 |
| Armament | 10 cannon (6-pounder and 3-pounder); 8 swivel guns on the rails |
The Union was an American ship called a sloop. It was built in Somerset, Massachusetts in 1792. This ship became famous for sailing all the way around the world between 1794 and 1796. A trader named John Boit was its captain.
Contents
About the Ship Union
The Union was a type of sailing ship known as a sloop. It was about 20 meters (65 feet) long and 6 meters (19 feet) wide. The ship had one deck and one mast, using a fore-and-aft rig for its sails.
The Union had a crew of 22 people. For defense, it carried 10 cannons. These cannons were a mix of 6-pounders and 3-pounders. It also had 8 smaller swivel guns mounted along its rails.
Early History of the Union
The Union was built in 1792. It was officially registered on July 8, 1793. Its first owners were William Burroughs, John Nicolas, Benjamin Hicks, and John Finch.
Later, on August 26, 1794, the ship was re-registered. The new owners included Caleb Garner, Crowell Hatch, and Peter Brooks. Captain John Boit also became an owner at this time. After its big voyage, the Union was sold in Boston on July 22, 1796.
Captain John Boit
John Boit was an experienced sailor. He had served as a mate on another famous ship, the Columbia Rediviva. This was during its second voyage from 1790 to 1793.
Soon after returning to Boston, Boit was given command of the Union. His mission was another maritime fur trade trip. This journey would take him to the Pacific Northwest and China. Boit's brother-in-law, Crowell Hatch, was one of the ship's investors. Hatch had also invested in the Columbia Rediviva's voyages.
Sailing Around the World
Captain Boit and the Union began their journey from Newport, Rhode Island. They set sail on August 1, 1794. They passed the Cape Verde Islands in October without stopping.
By the end of 1794, they reached the Falkland Islands. Boit stayed there for about three weeks. He then left on January 23, 1795. The Union sailed around Cape Horn, reaching its southernmost point on February 4, 1795.
Exploring the Pacific Northwest
On May 16, 1795, the Union arrived at Columbia Cove. This area is near Nasparti Inlet on Vancouver Island's west coast. Boit had been there before with Captain Gray on the Columbia.
He traded for as many sea otter furs as he could. Then he sailed south to Nootka Sound. From there, he went north to Haida Gwaii. He traded with the native Haida for more furs.
After trading near Houston Stewart Channel and the village of Ninstints, the Union sailed north. They went up the eastern side of Haida Gwaii to the village of Cumshewa. Then they returned south to Ninstints. They continued up the western side of Haida Gwaii until June 1795.
Boit traded with the Haida people of Chief Cuneah. This was in the area near Cloak Bay, Langara Island, and villages like Dadens and Kiusta. Next, Boit sailed the Union south. He visited the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Columbia River, and Tillamook Bay. He continued trading for sea otter furs. He tried for nine days to enter the Columbia River. However, bad weather and dangerous conditions at the Columbia Bar forced him to give up.
From Tillamook Bay, Boit sailed north again. He made a brief stop at Nootka Sound. By August 1795, the Union was back cruising the southeast coast of Haida Gwaii. They also visited the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Journey to Hawaii and China
On September 12, 1795, Boit finished his fur trading. He sailed from Columbia Cove towards the Hawaiian Islands and Guangzhou (Canton), China.
The Union reached Hawaii on October 12, 1795. On October 16, along the north coast of the Island of Hawaii, Boit met John Young. Young was a British-American sailor who had stayed on the island since 1790. He had become an important advisor to the Hawaiian King Kamehameha I. Young often helped visiting ships.
Young shared a lot of information with Boit. He told him about other ships that had visited and other trading captains. This included stories about the deaths of John Kendrick and Simon Metcalfe. Boit wrote a very long entry in his journal about everything he learned from Young. This journal entry is now a very important historical record.
Boit offered to take Young to Canton. But Young said no. He felt his life in Hawaii was much better than he could ever hope for as a sailor elsewhere. When Young left the Union, he found one of Boit's crew hiding in his canoe. The crew member wanted to stay in Hawaii. Boit returned the man to the ship. He wrote in his journal that while the man "richly deserved" punishment, he understood why he wanted to stay. Boit only threatened him, saying he didn't "have the heart to flog the poor illiterate devil."
Boit left the Hawaiian Islands for Canton on October 17, 1795. He arrived in the Pearl River Delta area in early December. With the help of a local pilot, he took the Union to Macau. Then he sailed up the Pearl River to Whampoa anchorage near Canton. The Union stayed there until January 12, 1796. During this time, Boit repaired the ship. He sold his furs and bought Chinese goods. He also took on some French cargo and a French passenger going to Mauritius.
The Final Leg Home
Boit sailed the Union from China on January 13, 1796. He sailed south through the South China Sea to Sunda Strait. They arrived there in late January. The Union entered the strait with other ships on January 31. They faced strong winds and tides until February 9. Finally, the sloop reached the open Indian Ocean.
After sailing across the ocean, Boit reached the island of Mauritius. He arrived on March 14, 1796, and stayed until March 29. Continuing his journey, Boit sailed around the Cape of Good Hope in April.
On July 8, 1796, the Union arrived back in Boston. Two weeks later, the ship was sold.
A Historic Voyage
The Union was the first sloop of its kind to sail all the way around the world. When he returned, Captain Boit proudly wrote in his journal: "I believe the Union was the first sloop that ever circumnavigated the globe."
