Maria (1804 ship)

History
United Kingdom
Name: Maria
Owner: Greenway & Co. (1804)
Builder: Hudson and Bacon, Howrah[1]
Launched: 1804
Captured: 1807
Fate: Foundered 1838[1]
Notes: The British Library voyage summaries combines this Maria's EIC voyage with that of Maria (1795 ship)
General characteristics
Tons burthen: 450,[1] or 456[2] (bm)

Maria was launched at Calcutta in early 1804 and immediately sailed for London on a voyage for the Biritish East India Company (EIC). The French captured her in 1807 and sold her to Arab merchants who renamed her Derreak Beggie. In 1810-11 she served as a transport in the British capture of Java. At some point she became Ruby; Ruby foundered in 1838.

Career

EIC voyage (1804-1805): Captain William Brown Greenway sailed from Calcutta on 1 March 1804, bound for England. She was at Kedgeree on 22 July. She visited Penang on 29 July and reached Saint Helena on 22 October. She arrived at The Downs on 5 March 1805.[3] Her owners paid c.£4210 for fitting out for her return voyage.[4]

Maria was one of the EIC vessels that were part of the expedition under General Sir David Baird and Admiral Sir Home Riggs Popham that would in 1806 capture the Dutch Cape Colony. They would carry supplies and troops to the Cape, and then continue on their voyages.

The French frigate Piémontaise captured Maria on 27 September 1807.[2] Between September and October, Piémontaise captured Caroline, Eggleton or Eggleson, master, Sarah, Henderson, master, Maria, James, master, Udny, Walteas or Wallis, master, Danneberg or Danesburgh, Winter, master, Highland Chief, Mahapice or Makepiece, master, Eliza, Sparkes, master, and Calcutta.[5][6] Calcutta was a "native ship". Captain James, of Maria, died aboard Piémontaise on 29 September.[6]

French records report that Maria was carrying toile, saltpêtre, and 8,500 sacks of rice. The value of the prize was 240,195.02 French francs.[7]

In a process that currently remains obscure, Maria ended up in non-French hands under the name Derie Beggi (or a variant spelling).

The country ship Derie Beggi (of 500 tons (bm)) participated in the expedition to the Moluccas and Java in 1810-11.[8] In 1810 Derriah Beggie (500 tons (bm); Captain Thomas Ross) embarked 70 horses belonging to His Majesty's 22nd (Light) Dragoons. She was caught the tail end of a heavy storm with the result that 42 of the horses had to be destroyed.[9]

At some point Derreak Beggie/Deriah Beggie/Derie Beggi became Ruby.[1]

Fate

In 1838 at least three vessels named Ruby were lost. One, which was lost on 22 June, was lost north of the Chagos Islands. Ruby, Randle, master, was carrying specie from China to Bombay. Her crew took to her long and jolly boats and survived.[10][11]

Citations and references

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 Phipps (1840), pp.101 & 138.
  2. 1 2 Hackman (2001), p.237.
  3. ↑ British Library: Maria.
  4. ↑ Select Committee (1814), p.616.
  5. ↑ Lloyd's List №4243.
  6. 1 2 Asiatic Annual Register, Vol. 10, p.123.
  7. ↑ Roman (2007), p.223.
  8. ↑ Select Committee... (1815), p.656.
  9. ↑ Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Volume 44, Part 1 - Volume 45, Part 2, fn. 34, p.8.
  10. ↑ "Ship News". The Times (16863). London. 18 October 1838. col A, p. 8.
  11. ↑ Asiatic Journal and Monthly Miscellany (1838), Vol. 27, p.241.]

References

  • Hackman, Rowan (2001). Ships of the East India Company. Gravesend, Kent: World Ship Society. ISBN 0-905617-96-7.
  • Phipps, John, (of the Master Attendant's Office, Calcutta), (1840) A Collection of Papers Relative to Ship Building in India ...: Also a Register Comprehending All the Ships ... Built in India to the Present Time .... (Scott).
  • Roman, Alain (2007) Robert Surcouf et ses frères. ISBN 9782844210500
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