Majestic (1811 ship)

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History
Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svgUnited Kingdom
NameMajestic
Owner
BuilderSunderland
Launched1811
FateWrecked 16 July 1819
General characteristics
Tons burthen393 [1] (bm)
Armament10 guns [1]

Majestic was launched at Sunderland in 1811. In 1812 she became a whaler in the British northern whale fishery, whaling at Davis Strait. She was lost there on 16 July 1819.

Contents

Career

Majestic entered Lloyd's Register (LR) in 1812 with Lawrence, master, Lane, owner, changing to Mellish, and trade London, changing to London–Davis Strait. [1]

On 5 April 1816 Lloyd's List (LL) reported that Majestic, Lawson, master, had sprung a leak and had had to put back to Stromness. She was on her way to Davis Strait and was going to have to discharge to effect repairs. [2] Majestic had arrived at Stromness on 22 March and resumed her voyage on 31 March. [3]

On 3 March 1818 at Lerwick during a heavy gale, Majestic, Lawson, master, drove on board Flora, Swaneson, master. Majestic carried away Flora's rigging and stove in her side. [4]

The following data is from Coltish: [5]

YearMasterWhereWhales Tuns whale oil
1814LawsonDavis Strait9137
1815LawsonDavis Strait670
1816LawsonDavis Strait8128
1817LawsonDavis Strait12170
1818LawsonDavis Strait15201

Fate

On 8 March 1810 Majestic, Lawson, master, sailed from Gravesend, bound for Davis Strait. [6]

On 16 July 1819 Majestic was crushed by ice and sunk in the Davis Strait. Her crew were rescued. [7] Lloyd's List reported on 24 August 1819 that Ocean, Samuels, Equestria of Hull, Majestic of London, Royal Bounty and Thomas & Ann, both of Leith, and Tey of Dundee, had been lost in Davis Strait. Their crews were saved. [8]

Post script

In 1824 a harpoon from Majestic in 1819 was recovered from a whale. The harpoon had gotten embedded in the near left fin. [9]

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 LR (1812), Supple. pages "M", Seq.№M1.
  2. LL №5063.
  3. LL №5066.
  4. LL №5263.
  5. Coltish (c. 1842).
  6. LL №5367, Ship arrivals and departure (SAD) data.
  7. "DAVIS'S STRAITS WHALE FISHERY". Caledonian Mercury. No. 15283. 21 August 1819.
  8. LL №5419.
  9. Dewhurst (1834), p. 107.

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References