Built as a wooden ship by Fowler & Heward, Scarborough for account of Thomas Hopper.
1782 Launched under the name SCARBOROUGH.
Tonnage 410 91/94 ton (bm). Dim. 111.6 x 30.2ft. Height between decks 4.5ft. Loaded draught 17.5 ft.
Registered at London.
A two-decked three masted vessel barque rigged.
Used first in the Baltic and North America timber trade under command of Capt. James Marshall until 1786.
1786 According Lloyds Register repaired, but most probably fitted out as a convict transport to Australia.
17 Nov. 1786 Chartered by the British East India Company (EIC) for a voyage to Botany Bay and China.
1786 Chartered by the British Admiralty as transport. Under supervision of Capt. Teer, Agent for the Transport, later by Lt. John Shortland fitted out at Deptford.
Embarked at Portsmouth 208 male convicts, she was at that time still under command of Capt. Marshall, surgeon that voyage Dennis Conssiden.
On the Sunday morning of 13 May 1787 at three o’clock the fleet (First Fleet) under which the SCARBOROUGH weighed anchor from Portsmouth road, and set sail for Australia.
Capt. Marshall believed that a plot was formed by the convicts to seize the ship, after an informer alleged that a rising was planned a few days after sailing. Two ringleaders were transferred to HMS SIRIUS and given 24 lashes, then heavily ironed send to the PRINCE OF WALES.
The ships sailed via Tenerife and Rio de Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town, sailing from the latter on the 13 November. On 20 January 1788 the SCARBOROUGH arrived at Botany Bay, without any loss of life under the convicts.
Early May the SCARBOROUGH sailed out from Port Jackson bound for China for a cargo of tea. She made a call at Lord Howe Island, and waited there for the CHARLOTTE, after the CHARLOTTE arrived both vessels sailed in company.
On 18 June three atolls were sighted, Capt. Marshall named one island Hopper island (Abemama), most probably after the owner of the vessel. the other two he named Hendersville (Aanuka) and Woodle ( Kuria) Island. Thereafter she sighted Tarawa and three groups of islands, which were named Marshall, Gilbert and Knoxs islands.
The crews on both ships got scurvy during the voyage, both ships arrived 9 September at Macao and proceeded then to Whampoa to load tea.
Her charter ended with the EIC on 01 June 1789 after arrival in England.
Again chartered by the EIC on 15 Nov. 1789 for an other voyage to Port Jackson. December the 253 male convicts were embarked, still under command of Capt. Marshall and as surgeon on board that voyage Augustus Jacob Beyer.
On 19 January 1790 three ship the SCARBOROUGH, SURPRIZE and NEPTUNE ( Second Fleet) set sail from England, the three vessels arrived at Cape Town on 13 April, and after a stay for new provisions and repair the three vessels sailed out on 29 April.
The SCARBOROUGH arrived at Port Jackson on 28 June. 73 Convicts died during the voyage and 96 men were sick on arrival. Due to reported attempts the convicts on board were closely confined. The ringleaders flogged, and the more dangerous of them stapled to the deck. The convicts given insufficient access to the deck, and mostly to this fact that there was a high dead rate on board that voyage.
On arrival most were not more able to stand of walk and had to be carried on shore.
Governor Philips informed the British Government that the mortality had been caused “by the contractors having crowded to many on board”.
After sailing from Port Jackson the SCARBOROUGH headed again for China for a cargo of tea, she returned to England and her charter with the EIC terminated on 13 October 1791.
She was not again chartered by the EIC, but used as a West Indiaman until 1800.
Again chartered in 1800 by the EIC for a voyage to Port Jackson and Bengal, but I am not sure she ever reached Port Jackson the book The Convict Ships 1788-1868 does not mention her more. When she did make this voyage it was as a cargo vessel without convicts.
Her charter ended on 11 April 1802.
The same year sold to Charles Kensington. Sailed out under Capt. John Scott.
10 Oct. 1802 register cancelled. Sold to foreign buyers.
1803 Bought back by Charles Kensington, thereafter used in the trade to the West Indies.
April 1805 Foundered off Port Royal, Jamaica, after springing a leak.
Marshall Islands 1993 75c sg503 scott459. 1993-5 SSsg?, scott466Cg. 1996 32c sg676, scott 605h.
Sources: The Convict Ships 1788-1868 by Charles Bateson. Ships of the East India Company by Rowan Hackman. Some websites.
See also http://www.shipstamps.co.uk/forum/viewt ... =2&t=10907