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Hercules (1771 ship)

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History
Province of Georgia
BuilderGeorgia
Launched1771
FateTransfer to British registry c.1777
Great Britain
NameHercules
NamesakeHercules
Acquiredc.1777
Captured1797
General characteristics
Tons burthen190,[1] or 230[2] (bm)
Armament6 × 4-pounder + 4 × 2-pounder guns[1]
NotesBuilt of live oak and pine

Hercules was launched at Georgia in 1771. She appeared in Lloyd's Register in 1778 and became a West Indiaman. Between 1792 and 1796 she made three voyages as a whaler in the Southern Whale Fishery. In 1797 the French captured Hercules as she was on her fourth voyage.

Career

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Hercules appeared in Lloyd's Register in 1778 with H.Russell, master, Capt. & Co., owner, and trade London–Antigua.[1] She underwent a good repair in 1785.[2]

In 1790 Hercules's trade was London–New York. In 1792 her master changed from Russell to Coleman, and her owner from Capt. & Co. to Wilton.[3]

1st whaling voyage (1792–1793): Hercules had arrived from Antigua on 12 July 1792.[4] She underwent a good repair in 1792.[5] Captain Coleman sailed from London in 1792. It is not clear when Hercules returned.[6] In March 1793 Lloyd's List reported that Hercules had been at the Falkland Islands.

2nd whaling voyage (1793–1794): Captain Coleman sailed from London in 1793, bound for Peru.[6] In May Hercules was at Rio de Janeiro needing food and water.[7] She returned to London on 22 July 1794 with 48 tuns of sperm oil, seven tuns of whale oil, and 7500 seal skins.[6]

3rd whaling voyage (1794–1796): Captain Henry Delano sailed from London in 1794, bound for the Brazil Banks.[6] Hercules was at Rio in May 1796 with scurvy among her crew.[7] She returned to London on 12 July 1796 with three tuns of sperm oil, 112 tuns of whale oil, and 70 cwt of whalebone.[6]

Fate

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Lloyd's Register for 1797 showed Hercules's master changing from H. Delano to G. Hales.[5]

Captain George Hales sailed from England in 1796. On 3 March 1797 Lloyd's List reported that the French had captured Hercules, Hale, master, and taken her into Bordeaux.[8]

Citations

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References

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  • Clayton, Jane M (2014). Ships employed in the South Sea Whale Fishery from Britain: 1775–1815: An alphabetical list of ships. Berforts Group. ISBN 9781908616524.