Caerwent was built at Rotherhithe and launched in 1799. She was a West Indiaman that the French captured in 1803 and the British Royal Navy recaptured shortly thereafter. She made one voyage as a whaler, but then returned to the West Indies trade. She was lost at Jackmel, Hayti, in May 1810.

History
Great Britain
NameCaerwent
NamesakeCaerwent
BuilderRotherhithe
Launched1799
FateLost 1810
General characteristics
Tons burthen269,[1] or 270,[2] or 273,[3] or 276 (bm)
Complement36[3]
Armament16 × 6-pounder guns + 4 swivel guns[3]

Career

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Caerwent entered Lloyd's Register in 1799 with Robinson, master, J. Thompson, owner, and trade London–Jamaica.[1]

On 4 July 1803, shortly after the resumption of war with France, HMS Acasta recaptured Caerwent.[4] Caerwent, Robinson, master, was sent into Portsmouth.[5]

Whaling voyage (1804–1807): Captain Job Anthony acquired a letter of marque on 30 January 1804.[3] At the start of the voyage Caerwent's owner, or part owner, was Lord Camelford, a particularly violent former naval officer. When Camelford died three days after being wounded in a duel on 7 March 1804, his whalers, Caerwent, Wilding (or Willding), and Cambridge passed to Lord Grenville, a relative by marriage, who sold them when they returned from their voyages.[6]

Anthony sailed from London in February, bound for the Galápagos Islands. On 29 May Caerwent and Cambridge were at Rio de Janeiro.[7] They were later reported to have arrived at Hood Island.[8]

On 5 December 1806 Lloyd's List reported that Caerwent, Anthony, master, and Cambridge, Thompson, late master, were at the Cape of Good Hope,[9] Both returned to London on 12 May 1805.[7]

The Register of Shipping for 1809 showed Caerwent with J.Stafford, master, Annen, owner, and trade London–Curacoa.[2]

Fate

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Caerwent, Browmer, master, was lost on 31 May 1810 as she was coming out of the harbour at Jacmel in 1810.[10] She was on her way to London.[11]

The Register of Shipping for 1810 showed Caerwent with Massingham, master, Annen, owner, and trade London–Curacoa. However, it has the annotation "LOST".[12]

Citations

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  1. ^ a b Lloyd's Register (1799), Seq.№596-599.
  2. ^ a b Register of Shipping (1809), Seq.№C9.
  3. ^ a b c d "Letter of Marque, p.54 - accessed 25 July 2017" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  4. ^ "No. 15658". The London Gazette. 17 December 1803. p. 1788.
  5. ^ Lloyd's List №4366.
  6. ^ Jackson (1978), p. 89.
  7. ^ a b British Southern Whale Fishery – Voyages: Caerwent.
  8. ^ Lloyd's List №4206.
  9. ^ Lloyd's List №4105, Ship arrivals and departures (SAD) data.
  10. ^ Lloyd's List №4475.
  11. ^ Marx (1987), p. 374.
  12. ^ Register of Shipping (1810), Seq.№C7.

References

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