History | |
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Name | Zephyr |
Owner | Kensington & Co. [1] |
Builder | Thames |
Launched | 1790 |
Captured | 1798 |
General characteristics | |
Tons burthen | 286, [2] [1] or 300 [3] (bm) |
Propulsion | Sail |
Complement | 18 [3] |
Armament |
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Zephyr was built on the River Thames in 1790 as a West Indiaman. From c.1796 she started to serve the British East India Company (EIC) as a packet ship. However, a French privateer captured her in 1798.
Zephyr entered Lloyd's Register in 1791 with T. Scott, master, and trade London-St Vincent. [2]
After the commencement of the French Revolutionary Wars in 1793, Captain Thomas Scott received a letter of marque on 9 March. [3]
On 30 December 1795, Messrs. St Barbe, Green, and Bignell offered Zephyr, and another brig, Aurora, to the Committee of Shipping of the EIC. [5] The next day the Committee replied that as the EIC had decided not to engage any vessels of under 400 tons burthen, it would decline the offer. [6]
Lloyd's List reported on 11 October 1796 that Zephyr had arrived at Dover from Demerara. As she arrived in English waters she saw a brig founder at Lands End. [7]
The next year the EIC reversed its earlier policy and engaged Zephyr as a packet. Lloyd's Register for 1797 shows her trade changing from Cork—San Domingo to London—East India. [4]
On 20 February 1798 as Zephyr was returning to Britain from Bengal and the Cape of Good Hope, the French privateer Vengeance captured her at 45°35′N37°10′W / 45.583°N 37.167°W . Zephyr, which was under the command of Captain John Scott, was no match for Vengeance, which was armed with 24 guns and had a crew of 215 men. [a] Vengeance sent Zephyr into Bordeaux. [9] The EIC valued its cargo on Zephyr at £2,554. [10]