List of vessels of the Bengal Pilot Service to 1834

Last updated

The Bengal Pilot Service (BPS) was an arm of the British East India Company (EIC). Its pilot boats were responsible for guiding East Indiamen, and other vessels, up and down the Hooghly River between Calcutta and the sea. The BPS vessels and their role were transferred to the Indian Navy in 1834.

Contents

The information in the tables below comes primarily from Phipps (designated with a "†"), [1] or Hackman (designated with a "‡"). [2] The vessels listed are those one source or the other identified as serving the Bengal Pilot Service. Where the two sources disagree with respect to some datum such as year of launch, or burthen, the first datum mentioned is from Phipps and the second is from Hackman.

A & B

NameTypeTons burthen (bm)Year builtWhere builtRemarks
Abercromby1471794 Fort William (Calcutta) [3] Converted to a buoy vessel; [3] condemned and sold out of the service 1807
AmazonCruiser1381769CalcuttaStationed at Chittagong; dispatched to Cochin China April 1778
ApolloYachtSold 4 January 1769
ArrivalSloop1676
Asseergurh1971819 Kidderpore Sold 1839, or still in BPS in 1851 [4]
BalasoreSloop1689
BeaconLight vessel1801831 Howrah Stationed at the Sand Heads; still in BPS in 1851 [4]
BlessingSloop801670London
BombaySloop1742Not in the BPS in 1766†
Bonetto† or BonettaSloop1071748 or 1746BombaySold November 1786
BrilliantBrigantineJuly 1743Bombay DockyardMadras Pilot Service

C

NameTypeTons burthen (bm)Year builtWhere builtRemarks
Caranga† (equally Caranja)Schooner1301775BombayDestroyed by a fire April 1779 [5]
CalcuttaSloop1746PeguAuthorized 14 April 1755 to be sunk to end white ant infestation; sold 1756 for breaking up
Calcutta Snow 1757CalcuttaNot in the BPS in 1766†
Carnac†‡Schooner1762, or 1761, or 1763Bombay, or ChittagongSold 3 March 1767
CarolinaSloop1739Pegu
Cartier†‡ Brig 150, [6] or 170†‡1787BombayCaptured 21 January 1796 in Balasore Roads; recaptured February and taken into Madras [7]
Cassimbazar (equally CossimbazarFitted out October 1712Out of service c.1731, but rebuilt c.August 1733
Cavery†, or CauveryBrig2001838Bombay DockyardStill in BPS in 1851 [4]
CeciliaShip1911813BombaySold at Calcutta into country service 1828; Lengthened at Moulmain 1838
ChandernagoreSchooner85 Chandernagore French pilot vessel seized at Calcutta on 5 July 1793; Condemned and sold at Calcutta on 27 June 1795
ChangeSchooner1441799Fort WilliamTransferred to the Residency at Ambonya September 1810. Participated in the 1810-11 British invasion of Java and the Moluccas.
CharlesSloop1683London
CharlesRiver transport1151796CalcuttaSold 1808
CharlotteYacht1741794CalcuttaConverted to an agent vessel 1802; condemned and sold 1808
Chaser1601778Batavia
ChittagongSloop1755MauritiusSold 22 April 1767
Colleron†‡ (or Coleroon)Brig2001838Bombay DockyardStill in BPS in 1851 [4]
CometFloating light vessel1391777CalcuttaSold 1788
ConimereSloop1682IndiaPurchased April 1683 at Madras for the BPS
Cornwallis†‡Brig1701787Bombay Dockyard10 or 19 December 1796 the French privateer Enterprise captured her and she arrived at Mauritius in January 1797. [lower-alpha 1]
Cudbert Thornhill1601804CalcuttaSold 8 April 1818 into country service
Cuddalore†‡Sloop, or schooner1752Bombay DockyardLost 1775

D — G

NameTypeTons burthen (bm)Year builtWhere builtRemarks
Diamond Harbour [3] Anchor boat1796Fort William
Diana Ketch The EIC purchased her on 4 July 1704 for the BPS
DiligenceSchooner101Bombay
DolphinSloop1748Bombay
Eliza†‡Schooner189; 251 after lengthening1813Bombay DockyardCondemned and sold September 1831 out of the service at Calcutta; local buyers renamed her Will Watch. Lengthened and registry transferred to London. Last listed 1844. [9]
ExpeditionSloop1703 Fort St. George, India (Madras)
FannySnow1757
FlySloopSold February 1772
Flora†‡Brig1891814BombaySold into the country service 1836
Fort St GeorgeSloop1739PeguGrounded 20 April 1751 and possibly wrecked
FordSloop1750JavaSold 1 October 1770
FriendshipKetch1705
GangesSloop1676
GangesSloop1703
GangesBrig1301794Bombay DockyardDestroyed by fire in the Saugor Roads 11 January 1797. An explosion in the magazine killed eight crew members; six hours later Laurel rescued the survivors. [10] [11]
GeorgeRiver transport1151796CalcuttaSold 1807
GeorgeRiver transport1091807 Kidderpore Sold into the country service 13 May 1819
GillettSchooner1401793CalcuttaCaptured by a gang of French parole violators at Kedgeree 29 October 1795 [12]
GingaliSloop or brigantineAlso Gingalle; destroyed by pirates at Anjengo June 1696
Grampus†‡ Sloop 1051748Bombay DockyardSold September 1775 to local buyers
Guide1501799Fort WilliamSold 23 July 1814
GuideBrig1891817Bombay DockyardIn 1822 she rescued the passengers and crew of Matilda. Guide was sold 1837 to local buyers and renamed Sir William Wallace

H & I

NameTypeTons burthen (bm)Year builtWhere builtRemarks
HaldaneSchooner1631797Fort WilliamSold 28 June 1816; possibly sold at Port Jackson 1821
Harland1321772Bombay DockyardDispatched to sea October 1776 and lost
HarriettAgent vessel701795CalcuttaSold into the country service
Harrington1501796CalcuttaThe French privateer Apollon, Captain Jean-François Hodoul, captured her on 9 November 1797 off Sand Heads (equally, Balasore Roads). Harrington arrived at Mauritius on 21 December. [13] The same privateer also captured Trial that same day. [14]
Hastings†‡Schooner1701787, or 1785Bombay DockyardConverted to a buoy vessel May 1818; sold to local buyers 11 October 1820. A fire destroyed her in the night on 17 April 1823 while she was at Pulau Pasang, off Padang.
Hattrass† (or Hatras)1971819KidderporeStill in BPS in 1851 [4]
Hawk1801778BataviaSold March 1783
HawkeSloop1749Bombay Dockyard
Hawke Gallivat 1773Bombay Dockyard
Hay1501796CalcuttaOn 21 December 1796 the French privateer Enterprise captured her in Balasore Roads. [lower-alpha 2]
Henry Meriton†‡Brig1901817Bombay DockyardSold 1838 to local buyers and renamed William
Hertford†‡Sloop1752PeguSold 1 July 1767
HopeLight vessel1801834 Howrah Stationed at the Sand Heads. In 1842 she caught fire whilst at Saugor, but was saved. There was suspicion against some of the crew. [16] Still in BPS in 1851. [4]
Hooghly†‡ (or Hooghli, or Houghley)Schooner130, or 147, or 1501794Bombay DockyardCaptain Humphrys, rescued, with John Bebb, the passengers and crew of Asia, Captain Tremenheere 1 June 1809; condemned and sold out of the service at Calcutta. Lost.
Hughley AnnaKetch1705
HunterSchooner1758
Indus (later Industry†‡Schooner1401776Bombay DockyardTaken by the French 1782
IntelligenceSchooner1601780CalcuttaTransferred to the Fort Marlborough Residency 1782

J — M

NameTypeTons burthen (bm)Year builtWhere builtRemarks
Jane†‡Brig1701819Bombay DockyardStill in BPS in 1851. [4]
Jessey (or Jessy)Schooner1631797Fort WilliamLost on the Reef Head 25 May 1815
Johanna‡ (also referred to as Juno†)Snow1701787Bombay DockyardLost on the Andaman Islands expedition 1788
John Bebb1551800CalcuttaCaptain Nash. Rescued, with Hooghli, the passengers and crew of Asia, Captain Tremenheere, 1 June 1809; participated in the 1810-11 British invasion of Java and the Moluccas.
John Shore1671807CalcuttaSold 2 July 1818 to the country trade
JosiahKetch1703
JunoYacht
Juno† (see Johanna)
Krishna†‡Brig2004 April 1837Bombay DockyardStill in BPS in 1851. [4]
Lady William BentinckBrig [17] 2001833, or 1834 [17] HowrahStill in BPS in 1851. [4]
LillySloop1679
LondonSloopFitted out October 1712
Louisa‡ (also referred to as Princess Louisa)Sloop21 December 1741Bombay DockyardSold to local buyers 1755
Lovely SophiaSnow1061775MauritiusSold July 1786
L'Orient801771ChandernagorePilot boat of the French Bengal Pilot Service; captured at Balasore 1778; sold 1785
MarySloop701695 Surat Sold to local buyers 27 March 1705
Megna†‡Brig2011836Bombay DockyardStill in BPS in 1851. [4]
MercurySchooner1667BardarmarghankaSold 24 February 1773
Mergee FrigateShip1689Sold almost immediately to French buyers
MermaidSloop1758Wrecked at Calingapatam February 1759
MermaidDutch pilot vessel captured at Chinsurah 1796; sold and afterwards burnt at Penang
Mermaid1767SuratSold 24 February 1773
Mermaid1778Sold
Mermaid†‡Brig18819941825Bombay DockyardRound stern. In the Pilot Service 1839; lost 1847; However, a Mermaid was still in BPS in 1851. [4]
MinervaCruizer1801770CalcuttaSold February 1774

N — R

NameTypeTons burthen (bm)Year builtWhere builtRemarks
Nerbuddah†, or NerbudaSchooner1061776Bombay DockyardCaptured by the French 1782
NereideYacht2371821KidderporeSold 1824; sent to England
NympheSloop1801778Batavia
PatnaSloop1081778JavaBuoy vessel 1793; sold 1796
Phillip Dundas†‡Brig176 / 1871797, or 1798Bombay DockyardSold. Conflicting reports exist concerning her subsequent career and fate.
PhoenixSchooner1667†Sold for breaking up 30 April 1759
Phoenix†‡Schooner1131770‡Bombay DockyardSold to local buyers June 1788, or in 1778
PhoenixAgent vessel1811808KidderporeSold 18 October 1820
Pilot901835HowrahEmployed in river duties; still in BPS in 1851. [4]
Planet†‡Brig1741816Bombay DockyardActed as a light vessel. Sold to local buyers December 1832 (or 1838) and renamed Bright Planet
Plassey†‡1762BombaySold to local buyers 24 February 1773
Porto BelloSloopJuly 1741Bombay
PrudentSloop1683
Queen Anne‡‡Sloop1702
QueensboroughSloop1752BombaySold 1 October 1770
Ranger†‡Schooner1601780BombayA French privateer captured Ranger on 21 December 1796 in Balasore Roads. The privateer took off the pilot and the European crew members, and put on board a five-man prize crew. The next day the serang (boatswain) and the lascars overpowered the prize crew, killing one. They then took Ranger into Balasore. [8] The EIC in 1805 sold Ranger to local buyers.
RingSchoonerSold 24 February 1772
Rising SunKetch1703
RochesterSloop1684River Thames
Royal JamesSloop1683River Thames
RussellCaptured September 1712
Russell†‡Schooner111 or 1101770Bombay DockyardTaken by the French in Balasore Roads 14 January 1796

S — W

NameTypeTons burthen (bm)Year builtWhere builtRemarks
St DavidKetch1742
Saugor†‡Brig2001836Bombay DockyardStill in BPS in 1851. [4]
Sea Horse†‡Sloop1081749 or 1759Bombay1785 or July 1786 transferred to the French at Chandernagore
Sea Horse†‡Brig188, or 18819944 February 1825Bombay DockyardStill in BPS in 1851. [4]
Sophia†‡Brig1891814BombayLost on the Long Sand 1818
Speedwell†‡Schooner1071765Bombay DockyardSold to local buyers 1785
SumatraSloop1742Bombay
SwallowShip2001779BombayMarch 1780 dispatched to England; afterwards transferred to the Bombay Establishment; lost near Fultah c.1824
SwiftSchooner1763Bombay DockyardConverted into a State yacht, or foundered in Balasore Roads 1766
Syren†‡Schooner or snow1753Bombay DockyardSold to local buyers 1769
SyrenSloop1051783CalcuttaCondemned and sold 15 July 1796
TannahSchooner1421775BombayThe French captured her in February 1781; she was lost in 1782
TartarSloop1758
ThomasSloop1684
ThomasSloop1689River Thames
Torch†‡Brig167 or 1741815Bombay DockyardBuilt as a floating light vessel; converted into Harbour Master’s depot at Calcutta 1835; still in BPS in 1851. [4]
Trial†‡ (also Tryal)EIC packet 160 or 1603941780CalcuttaMade at least two voyages for the EIC; [18] She returned to India 1786 and served the BPS; rebuilt 1796; the French privateer Apollon, Captain Jean-François Hodoul, captured Trial and Harrington in Balasore Roads on 9 November 1797. [14]
TritonSchooner1021770BombayCondemned and sold 19 January 1798
Tweed†‡Schooner1701788Bombay DockyardSold 2 September 1815
UdnyBrig1691802CalcuttaSold to local buyers 14 November 1814. In 1821 she was listed with W. Humble, master, and C. Taylor, owner; [19] condemned and broken up at Calcutta 1821
WilliamSmack1705
WilliamSloop1739Pegue

Notes

  1. Enterprise also captured the BPS schooners Hay and Ranger at the same time. [8]
  2. Enterprise also captured the BPS schooners Cornwallis and Ranger at the same time. [8] Phipps states that the French privateer captured Hay on 9 November 1797. [15] The two pilot schooners the French captured on 9 November 1797 were Trial and Harrington. [14] Enterprise, Legere, master, armed Hay and put a crew on board so that she could also serve as a privateer. She captured the English brig Castor, which arrived at Mauritius on 17 February 1797. Hay herself, Perroud, master, arrived at Mauritius on 5 March. [13]

Citations

  1. Phipps (1840).
  2. Hackman (2001).
  3. 1 2 3 New Oriental... (1802), p.64.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Clark (1851), p.204.
  5. Fort William... (1981), Vol. 8, pp. 60 & 488.
  6. Demerliac (1996), p. 309, No.2915.
  7. Austen (1935), p.79.
  8. 1 2 3 Selections... (1865), Vol. 2, pp. 459-61.
  9. Lloyd's Register Seq.№ W199.
  10. Allen (1823), pp. 142–144.
  11. Grocott (1997), pp. 67–8.
  12. Selections... (1865), Vol. 2, pp. 429-30.
  13. 1 2 Piat (2007), p.135.
  14. 1 2 3 EIC (1959), p.330.
  15. Phipps (1840), 133.
  16. "Ships burnt and destroyed" (November 1847) Nautical Magazine: A Journal of Papers on Subjects Connected with Maritime Affairs. Vol.16, p.589.
  17. 1 2 Falconer (1852), p.123.
  18. British Library: Trial (2).
  19. India Office and Burma Office List (1821), p.149.

Related Research Articles

Ganges was a brig launched at Bombay Dockyard for the Bengal Pilot Service, of the British East India Company (EIC). She was burnt in Saugor Roads on 11 January 1797, or 11 January 1799. The accidental fire spread to the powder magazine and the explosion killed eight men. Forty men took to her boat, and 59 to a hastily constructed raft. Six hours after the men took to the raft Laurel rescued all the survivors.

Mornington was a British merchant vessel built of teak and launched in 1799 at Calcutta. She made three voyages under charter to the British East India Company (EIC). On the first of these her non-European crew suffered a high mortality rate on the voyage back to India. On the third French privateers twice captured her and Royal Navy vessels twice recaptured her. She was a transport for the British invasion of Java in 1811. A fire destroyed her in 1815.

Cornwallis was a snow that the Honourable East India Company (EIC) had built in 1787 at Bombay Dockyard for the Bengal Pilot Service. A French privateer captured her in 1796.

Harrington was a British vessel launched at Calcutta in 1796 for the Bengal Pilot Service. A French privateer captured her on 9 November 1797 at Balasore Roads. She returned to British ownership and Calcutta registry c. 1800. She undertook sealing expeditions, captured two Spanish vessels off South America, and was seized by convicts in Port Jackson, before being wrecked in March 1809.

Malartic, was a French privateer ship, famous for her exploits while under the command of Captain Jean-Marie Dutertre. The British captured her in 1800, ending her brief, but productive privateering career.

At least two and possibly three vessels have borne the name Philip Dundas, named for Philip Dundas (c.1763–1807), a Scottish British East India Company naval officer, president of the East India Marine Board, and superintendent of Bombay. He returned to Britain and became a Member of Parliament before returning to the Far East to become governor of Prince of Wales Island.

Four ships with the name Henry Addington, named for Henry Addington, Speaker of the House of Commons and Prime Minister of Britain (1801–1804), sailed in the Indian Ocean during the late 18th and early-19th centuries. Two served the British East India Company (EIC) as East Indiamen between 1796 and 1815, and two were country ships. At least two other, smaller vessels named Henry Addington sailed out of Britain. in the early 19th century.

<i>Nonsuch</i> (1781 ship) India-built British merchant ship 1781–1802

Nonsuch was launched at Calcutta in 1781 as the first large vessel built there. She was designed to serve as either a merchantman or a man-of-war. She spent the first 12 years of her career as a merchant vessel, carrying opium to China amongst other cargoes. After the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars in 1793 her owner frequently hired her out as an armed ship to the British East India Company (EIC). She participated in an engagement with a French naval squadron and recaptured an East Indiaman. She also made two voyages for the EIC. After the Peace of Amiens in 1802 the EIC paid her off; as she was being hauled into a dockyard for repairs she was damaged and the decision was taken to break her up.

John Palmer was built at Calcutta in 1810. She made two voyages, the first under charter to the British East India Company (EIC). She wrecked with the loss of all hands in 1814 on the return leg of her second voyage.

Exeter was launched at Calcutta in 1793. She made three voyages from Calcutta to England for the British East India Company (EIC). On the way home from england on the second of these voyages she suffered a high mortality rate from disease among her non-European crew. She was lost in August 1806 in a hurricane while returning to London from Jamaica.

Highland Chief was launched at Calcutta in 1798. She made two voyages for the British East India Company (EIC) before a French privateer captured her in 1802 south of the Bay of Bengal.

Anna was launched at Calcutta in 1793. She was often called Bengal Anna to distinguish her from BombayAnna. Bengal Anna made three voyages for the British East India Company (EIC). She was lost on the coast of Chittagong c.1811, after participating in a military expedition.

Countess of Sutherland was launched in 1801 at Tittaghur on the Hooghly River, about 15 miles upstream from Calcutta. She made one voyage from Calcutta to England for the British East India Company in 1801–1802. The French captured her in 1803 as she was sailing from Bengal to China. They used her as a hulk until she was broken up c.1821.

<i>Upton Castle</i> (1793 ship)

Upton Castle was launched at Bombay in 1793. She spent her career as a "country ship", that is trading in the Far East. She made some voyages to England, including at least one, in 1809, under charter to the British East India Company (EIC). She also participated in two military campaigns as a transport. The French Navy captured her in 1804, but she returned to British hands before 1809. A fire in 1817 destroyed her.

Stirling Castle was built at Calcutta in 1801. She made one voyage from Calcutta to England for the British East India Company (EIC).

Margaret was launched at Calcutta in 1804 and cost 59,000 sicca rupees to build. Shortly after her launch she sailed to England for the British East India Company (EIC). Captain Benjamin Fergusson sailed from Calcutta on 3 December 1805. She was at Saugor on 14 February 1806. She reached Saint Helena on 29 April and arrived at The Downs on 24 June.

Varuna was launched at Calcutta in 1796. She made four voyages as an "extra ship" for the British East India Company (EIC), and then spent two years as a troopship. She returned to India in 1806. She was lost in 1811, probably in a typhoon.

Trial was launched at Calcutta as a packet for the British East India Company. She made two voyages to England. In 1782 she narrowly escaped being seized by mutineers. After her return to Calcutta in 1786 she became a pilot schooner for the Bengal Pilot Service. A French privateer captured her in 1797.

David Scott was launched at Bombay in 1801. She was a "country ship", i.e., she generally traded east of the Cape of Good Hope. Between 1802 and 1816 she made five voyages between India and the United Kingdom as an "extra ship" for the British East India Company (EIC). Thereafter she traded between Britain and India under a license from the EIC. A fire destroyed her at Mauritius on 12 June 1841.

References