Wolfe's Cove (1812 ship)

Wolfe's Cove sailed to England and entered Lloyd's Register in 1813 with T. Kirby, master, changing to J. Cobb, Redsedle & Hamilton, owners, and trade London–Liverpool, changing to Liverpool–Quebec.[3] The Register of Shipping for 1814 had her master changing from J. Kirby to S. Stephenson, her owner from Risdale & Co. to C. Waltham, and her trade from Liverpool–Quebec to Liverpool–Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Wolf's Cove, William Compleman (or Campleman), master, was on her way from Quebec to England when on 16 November 1813 the American privateer Grand Turk captured her at 42°30′N 8°37′W.[4] American records state that Wolfe's Cove had two guns and 20 men. Her captor valued her at $60,000, put a prize crew aboard her, and sent her for New Orleans.[5]

On 1 December 1813 HMS Briton recaptured Wolf's Cove, which arrived at Scilly on 10 December.[4] At the time a number of other British naval vessels were in sight and so shared in the salvage money for Wolf's Cove.[Note 1]

On 24 March 1815 as Wolfe's Cove was going down the Thames River on her way to Halifax, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick, she grounded and fell on her side at George's Stairs, Deptford. The next tide refloated her. She was hauled to the King's Moorings, Deptford, and there was surveyed. The survey revealed that she had sustained no damage and she resumed her voyage.[7]

In 1814 the British East India Company (EIC) lost its monopoly on the trade between Britain and India. A number of ship owners then commenced trading east of the Cape of Good Hope under licenses from the EIC. In 1816 Wolfe's Cove's trade changed from London−Halifax to London–Île de France. She also had some damages repaired that year.[8]

Wolfe's Cove appeared on a list of licensed ships as having sailed for Bombay on 26 February 1816 under the command of Captain Stephenson.[9]

She again appears as having sailed to Bombay 31 March 1817 under the command of Captain C. M'Gregor.[10] This information may not be entirely correct as Wolf's Cove, Stephenson. master, was reported to have been at 21°30′N 69°30′E on 16 April 1817 while on her way back to England from Bengal.[11]

On 25 April 1818 Wolfe's Cove, Stephenson, master, sailed for Île de France.[12]

When a violent gale hit Mauritius on 24 January 1819, Wolfe's Cove was driven on shore at Île aux Tonneliers. She had come from Java and as a result of being driven on shore the great part of her cargo was damaged.[13] Wolfe's Cove was refloated but her masts and cargo were removed and she was sold as a hulk.[14][2]

Notes

Citations

References

• Essex Institute historical collections (1943), Vol. 79.
• Hackman, Rowan (2001). Ships of the East India Company. Gravesend, Kent: World Ship Society. ISBN 0-905617-96-7.
• Marcil, Eileen Reid (1995). The Charley-Man: a history of wooden shipbuilding at Quebec 1763-1893. Kingston, Ontario: Quarry. ISBN 1-55082-093-1.