Built in 1788 as wooden merchantmen by Thomas King at Dover, for his own account.
12 February 1788 bought by the British Admiralty for £1.015.
Launched under the name HMS CHATHAM.
Tonnage 131 ton (bm), dim. 65 x 21.6 x 10.1ft., (19.81 x 6.58 x 3.07m.) length of keel 53.1ft. (16.18m).
From April till May 1788 fitted out as tender at Deptford.
Armament 4 – 3pdrs. guns, and 6 swivels.
Brig rigged.
Crew 12 men.
18 June 1789 registered.
December 1790 commissioned under Lieut. George Sayer, relieved January 1791 by Lieut. William R. Broughton.
December 1790 till December 1790 refitted for Vancouver’s expedition first at Deptford, later at Woolwich.
01 April 1791 she sailed with a crew of 45 men under command of Lieut. Broughton as tender of the DISCOVERY from Falmouth.
Her voyage is already given under the DISCOVERY.
29 November 1791 men from the CHATHAM landed on Chatham Island, and named the island Chatham Island not after the ship but after the political head of the Royal Navy (coincidentally also named Chatham.)
September 1792 Broughton sent home with despatches, he travelled overland to Mexico before boarding a ship for England, he was relieved by Lieut. Peter Puget (Puget Sound was named after him).
17 October 1795 arrived at Deptford.
1796 In ordinary at Deptford.
1797 Under repair at Deptford.
1830 Reported sold in Jamaica.
Fate unknown.
New Zealand 1991 80c sg1586, scott1021
Source: Wikipedia. British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793-1817. by Rif Winfield.