| History | |
|---|---|
 Great Britain | |
| Name | Caledonian |
| Owner | Hunter & Robertson, Greenock [1] [2] |
| Builder | John and William Scott, Greenock [2] |
| Launched | 1 May 1794 [2] |
| Captured | 1795 |
| Notes | This ship is often conflated with Caledonian (1797 ship), and occasionally with Caledonia of Greenock [a] |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 647 [3] [4] (bm) |
| Length | 137.4 ft (41.9 m) [1] |
| Beam | 34.9 ft (10.6 m) [1] |
| Draught | 18 ft (5.5 m) [1] |
| Depth | 20.8 ft (6.3 m) [1] |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Complement | 30 [4] |
| Armament | 22 × 12&6-pounder guns + 4 swivel guns [4] |
| Notes | Three decks |
Caledonia (or Caledonian), was launched at Greenock, Scotland, in 1794. The French captured her in 1795.
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John and William Scott, of Greenock, were the premier shipbuilders in Scotland. When they built the 650-ton Caledonia she was the largest vessel built in Scotland up to that time. They built her as a "Timber ship" to carry timber to the naval dockyards in Britain. [5] The order for Caledonia was possibly the first naval order for a ship built in Scotland. Her role was to service the naval dockyards and the private shipbuilders working on orders from the Admiralty, especially in Hampshire. [6]
Caledonian first appeared in Lloyd's Register with Jn. Fish, master, Hunter & Co. owner, and trade Greenock—North Scotland. [3] Captain John Fish acquired a letter of marque on 30 May 1794. [4]
On 17 February 1795 Lloyd's List reported that Caledonian, Fish, master, was returning from New Brunswick to Plymouth with masts when the French captured her. Her captors took her into Brest. [7]
In 1791, Scott & Co. had built Brunswick, of 600-ton (bm), for the Newfoundland trade. She and Caledonia were the largest ships built in Scotland in their years. They marked the beginning of increased activity by Scott & Co., particularly with respect to large, ocean-going ships. [8] [b]