Eddystone (HBC Vessel)

''Eddystone'' (or ''Eddistone'') was launched at Hull in 1802. She then sailed for the North West Company. The French Navy captured her in 1806 but an armed ship of the Royal Navy recaptured her within weeks. She next sailed for the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) from 1807 to about 1824. She then traded generally until May 1843 when she was wrecked.

Career

''Eddystone'' first appeared in ''Lloyd's Register'' (''LR'') in 1802 with Featherstone, master and owner, and trade Hull–Baltic.''LR'' (1802), Supple.pages "E", Seq.№E103.
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In 1803 John Fraser, one of the founders of the North West Company, purchased her. At the time, the North West company was challenging the HBC's monopoly on the fur trade at Hudson's Bay. The North West Company sent an overland expedition to the southern end of the bay, and sent ''Eddyston'' to meet it there. The Company then established a post on Charlton Island, on James Bay.

The French frigates and captured ''Eddystone'', Sarman, master, on 13 September 1806 as she was sailing from Quebec to London. The French took out her captain, crew, and furs, which were the most valuable part of her cargo. recaptured ''Eddystone'' off Cape Finisterre and sent her into Plymouth, where she arrived in early October.

By 1807 the North West Company had given up its operations at Charlton Island. The problem was not the HBC's opposition but rather was one of lack of trade. In 1807 the HBC purchased ''Eddystone'' and appointed Captain Thomas Ramsey as her master. Thereafter, ''Eddystone'' and were the main vessels supplying the HBC's posts in Hudson Bay. Captain Thomas Ramsey acquired a letter of marque on 2 May 1808.

In 1811 and 1813 ''Eddystone'' and carried settlers to Hudson Bay. In 1815, ''Eddystone'' became trapped in the lower part of Hudson Bay and had to overwinter there.

On 21 October 1817, ''Eddystone'', Davis, master, came upon the waterlogged and abandoned ''Rover'', of Newcastle, at . ''Eddystone'' could not approach because of the state of the sea. ''Eddystone'' was carrying a cargo of timber and furs.

On 16 July 1821, ''Eddystone'', ''Prince of Wales'', and were sailing in company to York Factory in Hudson Bay when they encountered and at . The two British warships were under the command of Commander William Edward Parry. This was ''Fury''s first Arctic journey, but Parry's second in search of the Northwest Passage.

On 24 July, an iceberg struck ''Prince of Wales'', staving in her starboard side. ''Eddystone'' and ''Lord Wellington'' narrowly escaped. ''Prince of Wales'' began to take on water at an alarming rate. To lighten her, ''Eddystone'' took on her cargo. Consequently, the damaged timers rose above the water line, making temporary repairs possible.

In June 1836 ''Eddystone'', Kearsley, master, grounded in the river at Newport, Wales, at the outset of a voyage to Savannah. It appeared her bottom might have been broken and she had to discharge and effect repairs.

Fate

''Eddystone'' was wrecked on 19 May 1843. She was driven ashore and wrecked at Point May, Newfoundland. Her crew were rescued. She was on a voyage from Liverpool, Lancashire to Quebec City. Her entry in ''Lloyd's Register'' for 1843 carried the annotation "LOST".''LR'' (1843), Seq.№E119.
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Notes

Citations

References

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* {{cite book , last1=Houston , first1=Stuart , year=1994 , title=To the Arctic by Canoe 1819-1821: The Journal and Paintings of Robert Hood, Midshipman with Franklin , publisher=McGill-Queen's Press , isbn=9780773512221

1802 ships
Age of Sail merchant ships of England
Captured ships
Hudson's Bay Company ships
Migrant ships to Canada
Maritime incidents in June 1836
Maritime incidents in May 1843
Ships sunk with no fatalities
Ships in art
Maritime paintings