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MALVINA
MALVINA
MALVINA

MALVINA

Date1810
Object NameSNOW
MediumWOOD
ClassificationsShip
DimensionsDepth 14'
Gross tonnage 204 tons
Object numberABDSHIP002949
About MeYard: unknown

Fate: Captured c.200 miles west of Lisbon, 13 March 1813 (but see note).

Propulsion: Sail
Description: Snow rigged, single deck with beams

Owners:
1811: Lumsden
1812-13: Captain & Co., (i.e. Smith & Co.)

Master:
1811-13: Master J. Smith

Voyages:
1811-13: London - Gibraltar

General History:
11/12/1813:
‘GALLANT DEFENCE: LETTER FROM MR WALSH, LATE CHIEF MATE OF THE MALVINA OF ABERDEEN, Barbados 14 August 1813.
Sir,
It becomes my duty in consequence of the death of Captain Smith, to inform you of the capture of the MALVINA, by the armed schooner NED, of Baltimore, on the 13th of March last, in lat 40.10 N. long. 14 W. after an action of one hour and twelve minutes, in which Captain Smith was unfortunately killed.
On the 10th February, we sailed from Majorca, loaded with wine and cork, for Falmouth and London; arrived at Gibraltar the 25th, and finding no convoy appointed to sail soon, got under weigh the 29th, and continued our course with light and variable winds to the 17th March; when at 7 am observed a sail to the southward, standing to the northward and westward, until getting into our wake, she bore up and made all sail in chace; she came up with us, hand over hand, at 40 minutes past 2 pm and when within hail, shewed American colours. We immediately commenced firing our stern chacers, and carried away her fore yards in the slings; after she had lost her fore-yard, she sheered alongside (within pistol shot), and opened a tremendous fire of round and grape shot, and musquetry, which so disabled us, as to prevent us working to advantage, our top sail ties being all shot away, our rigging very much cut.
After being upwards of half an hour thus closely engaged on both sides, she stood off from us to clear her decks, and make preparations to renew the action; we instantly hoisted our jib, and clapped the helm a-weather, in order to run her down; but we were so near together, our vessel had not sufficient distance to gather way to effect our purpose; and in the attempt our jib-boom rove in under her main-topping lift, and was carried away close by the cape; this likewise threw us head and stern alongside each other, and we passed in this direction. She then hove about and came on our starboard quarter, continuing a desperate fire of musketry, &c.; at this time, Captain Smith fell: he was shot through the head, and died instantly; soon after, our ammunition being entirely expended, our sails and rigging cut to pieces, and further resistance of no avail, we were compelled to haul down the MALVINA's colours.
After repairing damages, both vessels stood for America, and I arrived in New York, along with eight of the crew, on 24th of April last, in the NED; on board of which vessel, one man was killed, and six badly wounded; the MALVINA had the master killed, and one of the boys slightly wounded, but he is since entirely recovered.
The NED mounts six six-punders, two swivels, a great quantity of small arms, and 43 men.
The MALVINA carried 10 guns, but only 13 men and boys on board, one of the hands being left sick at Palma.
I came here in a cartel sloop from New York, 10th of June, and will embrace the first opportunity I can find of returning to Britain.
I am Sir, &c.
W. Walsh ’
(Caledonian Mercury (Edinburgh), Issue 14353.)

18/10/1813:
‘The MALVINA, late Smith, of Aberdeen, captured on her voyage from the Mediterranean to London with a cargo of Wine by the NED, American letter of marque, has been carried into Elizabeth Town, New Jersey; where the vessel has been sold at 7000 dollars and the cargo at a very inferior value ’
(Caledonian Mercury (Edinburgh))

Note: The fate of MALVINA after her capture is unclear, clouded the vagaries of early Lloyd's recording. In the Lloyd's underwriters 1815 (M supplement 154) there is an Aberdeen MALVINA recorded with the same tonnage, but later launch date (1812), with J. Barrett as owner/master. From 1819 to 1831 there is an Aberdeen MALVINA of 1813 but of slightly lower tonnage. Since MALVINA of 1810 was sold in New Jersey while Britain was at war with the US (concluded by the Treaty of Ghent effective from Feb. 1815) it seems unlikely, but not impossible, that she would have found her way back to British owners plying European trade in time to be re-listed as Mr. Barrett's in 1815.
Note: Carried 12 guns from 1812.
MALVINA – A feminine name from the Gaelic Mala Mhin – Smooth brow. Popularised in the 18th Century “Ossian” poetry cycle by James Macpherson as the bride of Oscar.