DUCHESS OF BEDFORD

Date5 May 1804

Object NameSHIP

MediumWOOD

ClassificationsShip

DimensionsGross tonnage: 315 tons.

Object numberABDSHIP003030.106

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeShipbuilder: George Tower & Co., Aberdeen

Fate: ashore near Moro 29 January 1824, while on passage from Jamaica for London

Propulsion: Sail
Description: Ship rigged, single deck with beams for another. While in government service armed with 12 or 16 guns.

Owners:
1804: George Tower & Co., Aberdeen (Aberdeen register list 1804)
1818-24: Herring & Co. (Lloyd's underwriters)

Masters:
1804: Master John Coutts (Aberdeen register list 1804)
1805: Captain Richard Thwaits (Newspaper reports).
1817: Master Dormor
1818: Master Williamson
1819: Master J. Lacy
1820-24: Master Hawkins.

Voyages (Lloyd's underwriters):
1818: London - Nevis.
1819-20: London - Jamaica.
1821: London - Quebec
1823-24: Liverpool - 'St. Mar'. [Location uncertain]

General History:

05/05/1804:
Thursday Se'ennight, a beautiful vessel, 314 tons register, called the DUCHESS OF BEDFORD, was launched from the building yard of Mess George Tower and Co. Aberdeen, Major-General the Marquis of Huntly, Right Hon, the Earl of Caithness, and a large concourse of spectators were present at the launch, which went well off.
(Caledonian Mercury)

From September 1804 it served as a hired armed vessel with the Royal Navy.

19/09/1804:
The Downs squadron is to be immediately augmented by sixteen armed ships, which have recently been commissioned. Among these is the DUCHESS OF BEDFORD, a very fine armed vessel, lately launched at Aberdeen.
(Aberdeen Journal)

05/11/1804:
Early this morning, in a hard gale of wind, the DUCHESS OF BEDFORD armed defence ship, after breaking an anchor, drove on shore between Sanderson Castle and No. 1 battery; the ship lost her rudder. If the weather moderates, it is hoped she will be saved, as every assistance for preservation is given.
(The Naval Chronicle)

06/06/1814:
The MARTHA, Williams, from Waterford to London; and the DUCHESS OF BEDFORD, Morrison, from Vigo to St Michael's, ' have been taken by the AMERICA privateer of Salem, which arrived at Portsmouth NH on 31 March from a cruize of four months, during which she captured ten other British vessels, which have been before reported. The MARTHA sent to America and the DUCHESS OF BEDFORD scuttled
(Caledonian Mercury (Edinburgh))
[the information about it being scuttled seems to have been in error]

13/02/1824:
Havannah, 28 Dec. The DUCHESS OF BEDFORD, Hawkins, from Jamaica to London which was driven on shore near the Moro 29th ulto. has been condemned, it having been found impracticable to get her off. 110 puncheons of rum, about 70 hhds. of sugar, and part of the logwood, has been saved; also her rigging, spars, sails, anchors, cables & c.
(Lloyd's List)

(Aberdeen Register of Ships (CE87/11/5))