Dowson was launched in Hull in 1807 as a West Indiaman. She quickly became a transport and then made one voyage to New South Wales. Later she traded with North America. She underwent two maritime mishaps that she survived, one in 1807 and one in 1821. Her crew abandoned her in the Atlantic Ocean on 19 October 1836.

History
United Kingdom
BuilderThomas Steemson, Paull, Hull
Launched5 January 1807
FateAbandoned in the Atlantic Ocean on 19 October 1836
General characteristics
Tons burthen340,[1] or 352[2] (bm)
Length104 ft 10 in (32.0 m)
Beam28 ft 1 in (8.6 m)
Armament4 × 6-pounder + 4 × 18-pounder guns

Career

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Dowson first appeared in Lloyd's Register (LR) in 1807.[3]

Year Master Owner Trade Source
1807 Proudlove S.Barworth & Co. Hull–Jamaica LR

On 18 February 1807 Dowson was in the Downs when a gale came up that wreaked havoc among the vessels there. Dowson lost her masts.[4] On 30 March she was at Portsmouth on her way to Jamaica; she arrived at Jamaica on 19 June.

Year Master Owner Trade Source
1808 Proudlove S.Barworth & Co. Hull–Jamaica
London transport
LR
1813 Proudlove
Watson
S.Barworth & Co. London transport LR
1815 Watson
E.Gibson
S.Barkworth Hull transport
London–New South Wales
LR

In 1813 the British East India Company (EIC) had lost its monopoly on the trade between India and Britain. British ships were then free to sail east of the Cape to India, the Indian Ocean, or Australia under a licence from the EIC.[5]

On 22 May 1815 Dowson, Gibbons, master, sailed from Deal, bound for the Cape and New South Wales. On 17 July Dowson put into Pernambuco to caulk her upper works. The stress of weather let to Gibbons cutting her cables and putting to sea. She sailed to Perahaba River to continue her repairs. As of 5 August she was still undergoing repairs there.[6] She reached the Cape on 23 October and Van Dieman's Land on 24 February 1816.

Dowson, Gibbons, master, arrived at Sydney on 7 March with merchandise. She left on 30 June, bound for Batavia.[7]

Year Master Owner Trade Source
1816 F.Gibbson
Cunningham
Gibbon & Co.
Barkworth
London–New South Wales
London–Jamaica
LR
1818 A.Neil
W.Robinson
Barkworth London–Jamaica
London–"Merimic"
LR
1819 Robinson J.Boyes Liverpool–New Brunswick LR
1821 Robinson J.Boyes Liverpool–Mrmk LR

On 7 November 1821, Dowson parted from her anchors and ran aground on the Hoyle Bank, in Liverpool Bay. She was on a voyage from Miramichi Bay to Liverpool.[8] Dowson was refloated on 9 November and taken in to Liverpool.

Year Master Owner Trade Source & notes
1822 Robinson J.Boyes Liverpool–Miramichi LR; thorough repair 1822
1825 Robinson J.Boyes Liverpool–New Brunswick LR; thorough repair 1822

In March 1824 John Boyes moved her registration to Whitby.[2]

Year Master Owner Trade Source & notes
1827 Robinson
W.Tickle
J.Boyes Liverpool–Miramichi LR; thorough repair 1822
1828 W.Tickle
H.Boys
J.Boyes Cork LR; thorough repair 1822
1829 H.Boyes J.Boyes Belfast–Quebec LR; thorough repair 1822
1830 H.Boyes J.Boyes Liverpool–Quebec LR; thorough repair 1822 & small repairs 1830
1831 H.Boyes J.Boyes Liverpool–Chaleur Bay LR; thorough repair 1822 & small repairs 1830
1834 J.Lewis

For some years in the 1830s Dowson's master was Gowland. When he traded with Chaleur Bay her backhaul cargo was lumber.

In 1834 Dowson's owners became Henry Boyes (40 shares), Elizabeth Boyes (8), Catherine Boyes (8), and Jane Boyes (8).[2]

Fate

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Her crew abandoned Dowson, Coulson, master, (or Jn.Coupon),in the Atlantic Ocean on 19 October 1836 at 46°N 56°W / 46°N 56°W / 46; -56. Lipton, of Richibucto, rescued the 17 crew members. Dowson was on a voyage from Whitby to Saint John, New Brunswick.[9]

Citations

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  1. ^ Hackman (2001), p. 268.
  2. ^ a b c Weatherill (1908), p. 245.
  3. ^ LR (1807), Supple. pages "D", Seq.No.D4.
  4. ^ "The Marine List". Lloyd's List. No. 4128. 20 February 1807. hdl:2027/uc1.c2735023.
  5. ^ Hackman (2001), p. 247.
  6. ^ "The Marine List". Lloyd's List. No. 5010. 3 October 1815. hdl:2027/uc1.c2735027.
  7. ^ "Arrival of Vessels at Port Jackson, and their Departure". Australian Town and Country Journal, Saturday 3 January 1891, p. 16. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  8. ^ "The Marine List". Lloyd's List. No. 5643. 9 November 1821. hdl:2027/uc1.c2735031.
  9. ^ "Shipping Intelligence". Caledonian Mercury (1808). Edinburgh. 14 November 1836.

References

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  • Hackman, Rowan (2001). Ships of the East India Company. Gravesend, Kent: World Ship Society. ISBN 0-905617-96-7.
  • Weatherill, Richard (1908). The ancient port of Whitby and its shipping. Whitby: Horne and Son.