List of ships of the Poyais scheme

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The Scottish adventurer and fabulist Gregor MacGregor promoted a settlement in Honduras that he called Poyais. In 1823, he chartered vessels to take settlers to the settlement. Four vessels actually carried settlers or supplies for the scheme:

Reports also exist that five more vessels set out for Poyais but that when word reached Britain that Poyais had no foundation in reality, the British Royal Navy intercepted them and turned them back.

By 20 August 1823 reports were appearing in The Times confirming earlier reports that Poyais was a fraud. [1] Even so, it took some time for all to agree that the scheme was fraudulent. There are five vessels for which sailing advertisements and movement reports exist with Poyais as a destination, but that do not appear among the vessels that arrived at Poyais. One was wrecked.

Citations

  1. "Catherine" Times[London, England] 20 Aug. 1823: 2. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 2 May 2018.
  2. "FOR POYAIS DIRECT, the superior first class Ship ALBION, JOHN WHITE, Commander, copper and copper." The Times (London, England), Friday, Aug 15, 1823; pg. 1; Issue 11951.
  3. Register of Shipping (1824), Seq.№A346.
  4. Lloyd's List №5839.
  5. "FOR POYAIS, to be despatched immediately, the fine fast sailing coppered BRIG ALKNOMACK; N. WILLIAMS,." The Times (London, England), Thursday, Mar 20, 1823; pg. 1; Issue 11824.
  6. Register of Shipping (1824), Seq. №A494.
  7. Lloyd's list №5814.
  8. "FOR POYAIS Direct, the SCHOONER MARY.-Notice is hereby given to the SETTLERS, who have engaged." Times [London, England] 5 Feb. 1824: 1. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 2 May 2018.
  9. "FOR POYAIS, to sail immediately, the fast-sailing BRIGANTINE OPORTO PACKET, JOHH MILES, Commander,." The Times (London, England), Thursday, Mar 03, 1825; pg. 1; Issue 12591.
  10. Lloyd's List №6022.
  11. Lloyd's Register (1826), Seq.№J474.
  12. 1 2 Lloyd's List №6000.
  13. Lloyd's List №6035.

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