Severn was launched at Bristol in 1806. She spent most of her career as a West Indiaman. In 1813 she ran down and sank another merchantman. In late 1838 Severn's crew had to abandon her in the Atlantic in a sinking condition.

Severn, c.1835; Joseph Walter (1783–1856), Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
History
United Kingdom
NameSevern
NamesakeRiver Severn
BuilderHilhouse, Sons and Co.,[1] Bristol, Gloucestershire
Launched1806
FateAbandoned at sea late 1838
General characteristics
Tons burthen478,[2][3] or 4785094[1] (bm)
Length113 ft 5 in (34.6 m)[1]
Beam31 ft 6 in (9.6 m)[1]
PropulsionSail
Sail planShip-rigged; later barque
Complement30[2]
Armament12 × 9&4-pounder guns[2]
NotesTwo decks, three masts, square stem, quarter galleries, and figure head[1]

Career

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Severn first appeared in Lloyd's Register (LR) in 1806.

Year Master Owner Trade Notes and source
1806 Etheridge Protheroe Bristol–Jamaica Lloyd's Register (LR; 1806)[4]

Captain Richard Drew acquired a letter of marque on 5 April 1810.[2]

On 11 February 1813 Severn ran down and sank Wargrave. HMS Cressy rescued Wargrave's crew. Wargrave, Ostler, master, was on a voyage from Dublin to Surinam.[5][a]

Year Master Owner Trade Notes and source
1810 J. Drew R. Claxton Bristol–Nevis LR
1815 J. Arew R. Claxton Bristol–Nevis LR
1820 E.J. Power R. Claxton Bristol–Nevis Good repair in 1815; LR
1825 Christopher Claxton R. Claxton Bristol–Nevis Good repair in 1815 & small repair 1821; LR
1830 F. Foster J. Irvine Bristol–Trinidad Thorough repair in 1828; LR
1835 Brown J.Irving Bristol–Quebec LR
1838 Brown J.Irving Bristol–New York Damages repaired in 1836 and small repairs in 1837; LR

Other masters: Christopher Claxton; Gabriel Forster (9 Sept. 1825); Richard Radford (3 Feb. 1831); Thomas Sandon (24 Oct. 1831); Adam Dixon (25 July 1833 (London)); Charles Timothy Stewart (25 Aug. 1834 (London)); Thomas Brown (26 Mar. 1835); Charles Skirling (29 Sept. 1834); Edward Purse (1 May 1837); and William Johns (30 August 1838).[1]

On 10 December 1833 Captain Adam Dixon was sailing by the Chagos Archipelago when he sighted an uncharted island or islands at 5°30′N 72°24′E / 5.500°N 72.400°E / 5.500; 72.400 that he named Severn Island.[7]

Fate

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In late 1838 her crew abandoned Severn in the Atlantic Ocean at 48°N 31°W / 48°N 31°W / 48; -31 as she had 16 feet of water in her hold. She was on a voyage from Miramichi, New Brunswick, to Bristol. Russell, of New York, which was sailing from New Orleans to Havre, rescued Severn's crew.[8]

Notes

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  1. ^ Wargrave, of 175 tons (bm), had been launched in Denmark in 1801.[6]

Citations

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References

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  • Farr, Grahame E., ed. (1950). Records of Bristol Ships, 1800-1838 (vessels over 150 tons). Vol. 15. Bristol Record Society.
  • Hackman, Rowan (2001). Ships of the East India Company. Gravesend, Kent: World Ship Society. ISBN 0-905617-96-7.
  • Horsburgh, James (1826). India Directory, Or Directions for Sailing to and from the East Indies, China, New Holland, Cape of Good Hope, Brazil and the Interjacent Ports. Vol. 1. Kingsburg.