Amelia (1796 ship)

For other ships with the same name, see Amelia (ship).

See also: Transport vessels for the British Government's importation of rice from Bengal (1795–1796)

History
Name	Amelia
Operator	East India Company
Fate	Captured
General characteristics
Tons burthen	1,000 or 1,400

Amelia was a ship of 1,000 or 1,400 tons (bm), built at Demaun. ^[1] In 1796 the British East India Company (EIC) engaged her in India to carry rice from Bengal to Britain for the account of the British government, which was importing grain to address high prices for wheat in Britain following a poor harvest.

As Amelia approached Britain a French squadron captured her. By some reports the capture took place in the Bay of Biscay. ^[1] However, Lloyd's List reported that a squadron of French frigates had captured an East Indiaman, "supposed to be the Amelia, from Bengal", with a cargo of rice and sugar. The capture apparently took place off the Western Isles, and the captors sent their prize into Corunna. ^[2] The next issue of Lloyd's List confirmed that Amelia had been sent into Corunna, and identified her master as "Crawford". ^[3] Her master was Coutts Crawford. ^{[4] [a]}

The EIC charged the loss of the cargo to "his Majesty's Government". ^[6]

Reportedly, a Bombay house later purchased Amelia and sold her to the Portuguese at Macao. ^[1]

Notes

1. Hackman conflates this Amelia with Amelia. ^[5]

Citations

1. Phipps (1840), pp. 172 & 188.
2. Lloyd's List №2854.
3. Lloyd's List №2855.
4. Hardy (1800), p. 225.
5. Hackman (2001), p. 222.
6. House of Commons (1830), p. 977.

References

• Hackman, Rowan (2001). Ships of the East India Company. Gravesend, Kent: World Ship Society. ISBN   0-905617-96-7. OCLC   51316017.
• Hardy, Charles (1800). A Register of Ships, Employed in the Service of the Hon. the United East India Company, from the Union of the Two Companies, in 1707, to the Year 1760: Specifying the Number of Voyages, Tonnage, Commanders, and Stations. To which is Added, from the Latter Period to the Present Time, the Managing Owners, Principal Officers, Surgeons, and Pursers; with the Dates of Their Sailing and Arrival: Also, an Appendix, Containing Many Particulars, Interesting to Those Concerned in the East India Commerce. Charles Hardy.
• House of Commons, Parliament, Great Britain (1830). Reports from the Select Committee of the House of Commons appointed to enquire into the present state of the affairs of the East India Company, together with the minutes of evidence, an appendix of documents, and a general index. Vol. 2.
• Phipps, John (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.