Difference between revisions of "Scarborough"

Latest revision as of 06:15, 14 March 2016

1782 – Built by John Fowler & Ben Heward, Scarborough for Thomas Hopper.

West Indies

6 November 1784 – It was reported that the Scarborough, Marshall had arrived at Elsineur from Petersburg. (Felix Farley’s Bristol Journal, 6 November 1784)

Early November 1784 – The Scarborough, Marshall, entered Bristol from Petersburg, Virginia. (Felix Farley’s Bristol Journal, 13 November 1784)

15 April 1785 – Navigation Licence. No.1226. 420 tons. John Marshall. 20 British crew. To Grenada. Listed as returning 8 December 1786. (ADM7/104)

4 July 1785 – The Scarborough, John Marshall, entered at Port Antonio, Jamaica. 450 tons, crew of 15. British-built, 1782. Registered at Scarborough, 18 May 1782. Owned by George Hooper. Carrying ballast only from Scarborough. (Jamaica NOSL, Reel 3, pp.1290-1)

7 September 1785 – The Scarborough, Marshall, outward at Savanna La Mar. Bound for London with logwood and fustock, mahogany, pimento, and a little sugar and rum. (Jamaica NOSL, Reel 3, pp.1306-7)

23 November 1785 – Scarborough, Marshall at Gravesend from Jamaica. (General Evening Post, 24-26 November 1785)

1786 – Lloyd’s Register. Scarborough 1782. 600 tons. Sheathed 1782. Single deck with beams. Owner: T. Hopper. Master: J. Marshall. Granada. (Lloyd’s Register, 1786)

1786 – Measured by the EIC’s Master Attendant. 2 decks. 109’3” x 29’10”. 41191/94 tons. (L/MAR/C/529)

13 February 1786 – The Scarborough, Marshall, at Deal for Jamaica. (General Evening Post, 14-16 February 1786)

10 April 1786 – The Scarborough, Marshall, inward at Savanna La Mar, Jamaica. 420 tons, 19 crew. Owned by George Hopper & Co. With plantation stores and ballast. (Jamaica NOSL, Reel 5, pp.30-1)

22 July 1786 – The Scarborough, Marshall, outward from Savanna La Mar, to London with timber. (Jamaica NOSL, Reel 5, pp.63-4)

12 September 1786 – Arrived at Deal from Jamaica and sailed for the River the Scarborough, Marshall. (General Advertiser, 14 September 1786)

Botany Bay and China

19 September 1786 – William Richards Junr, London, to [the East India Company]. (The letter is simply dated Sept. 1786’ but the date is noted in IOR D/1 of 21 September.)

Hon’ble Gentlemen,

"I beg leave to tender to your Hon’ble Court the undermentioned ships to bring home teas &c from China at the rate of ten pounds per ton (subject to the usual conditions that the ships are liable to that are taken up this season to load in China) the freight to be ascertained in the manner that is usual in the Company’s charter.

"The ships are now in the service of the government and are to be discharged from that employ in New Holland. I am with respect

Hon’ble Gentlemen Your most Obedient Servant. . .

 Scarborough	        425 tons measurement at Deptford. Scarbro’ built. 3 years old
 Brothers	        330 tons meast at Princes Stairs, River built. 4 years old
 William and Mary	350 tons meast Stone Stairs. Scarbro’ built, 18 months old
 Britannia	        300 tons meast Wapping Old Stairs. Copper sheathed & bolted. 2 years old
 Britannia	        300 tons meast Wapping (Bell Dock). 4 years old

(Richards to [Court of Directors], September 1786, Home Correspondence, India Office Records, London, IOR E/1/79, Volume 4, No.193; Minutes of the Court of Directors, British Library, IOR B/103, 19 September 1786, p.570)

21 September 1786 – The EIC Correspondence Committee considered the three letters – from Sydney, Rose and Richards. Present were the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, and Messrs Cheap, Manship, Robarts, Sparkes, Bensley, Hall, Travers, Le Mesurier, Mills and Robert.

"Pursuant to a reference of Court on the 19th instant the Committee proceeded to take into consideration a letter from the Right Hon’ble Lord Sydney one of His Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman dated the 15th instant recommending to the Court’s consideration a plan for sending a number of convicts from this country to Botany Bay on New South Wales which is within the limits of the Company’s Charter, also

"Letter from George Rose Esq. at the Treasury dated the same day signifying the opinion of the Lords Commissioners that if the ships which are to convey the convicts to Botany Bay can have a freight of tea home from China advantages may arise therefrom to the State and the Company; likewise

"Letter from Mr William Richards Junr tendering 5 ships to bring home tea from China as abovementioned at ten pounds per ton.

"On a motion

"Resolved unanimously, That it is the opinion of this committee that the following ships be licensed by the Company to proceed to Botany Bay in New South Wales and to return from thence to England in pursuance of the request of the Right Hon’ble Lord Sydney one of His Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State for the purposes aforementioned in his Lordship’s letter of the 15th instant addressed to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman:

 Scarborough		425 tons
 Brothers		330 tons
 William & Mary         350 tons
 Britannia		300 tons
 Britannia		300 tons

"Mr Richards was then called in and question’d as to the number of men intended to navigate those ships and on other particulars respecting the same and having withdrew

"It was on a motion

"Resolved unanimously That it is recommended to the Court to take up the following ships provided the surveyors shall on inspection report them to be proper for the service.

 Scarborough		425 tons
 Brothers		330 tons
 William & Mary         350 tons
 Britannia		300 tons
 Britannia		300 tons

"which ships have been tendered to the Company by William Richards Junr on the 19th instant to load home teas from China at the rate of ten pounds per ton builder’s measurement also provided the owners engage that the said ships shall be mann’d at their departure from Gravesend with 9 men and boys (including officers) to each 100 tons and that they be at China ready to receive cargoes on or before the 15th January 1788 – that they shall not sail from China with less than 8 men and boys for each 100 tons and they shall bring such surplus tonnage as shall be laden on board those ships at half the above freight.

"Mr Richards was again called in and the resolution was read to him and at his request a copy thereof was ordered to be delivered him.

"Ordered that the proper officers do survey the said ships and report whether they are fit to be employed in the Company’s service for the purpose of bringing home teas from China." (Court of Directors, Minutes of 19 September 1786, Court Minutes, India Office Records, London, IOR B103/570; Whole Court, Minutes of 21 September 1786, Correspondence Committee, India Office Records, London, IOR D/1)

Four of these vessels were not taken up. They had been identified by Richards in his letter to the EIC:

 Brothers	        330 tons meast at Princes Stairs, River built. 4 years old
 William and Mary	350 tons meast Stone Stairs. Scarbro’ built, 18 months old
 Britannia	        300 tons meast Wapping Old Stairs. Copper sheathed & bolted. 2 years old
 Britannia	        300 tons meast Wapping (Bell Dock). 4 years old

(Richards to [Court of Directors], September 1786, Home Correspondence, India Office Records, London, IOR E/1/79, Volume 4, No.193)

25 September 1786 – Navy Board minute:

"Messrs Richards & Fernie of this day tendering the undermentioned ships, viz:

 Brothers			Gowland
 Britannia			Wade
 Friendship		        Wintringham
 Scarboro’			Hopper
 Lady Penrhyn

"The above to go to Botany Bay & from thence to China having been surveyed & approved by the East India Company officers.

 Britannia			Blyth
 Columbus			McNaughton
 George                         Henderson

"For Botany Bay & back again.

Give orders to Deptford officers to survey & measure the above ships and report if they are fit ships to carry convicts to Botany Bay." (Navy Board Minutes, Transport Service, 25 September 1786, Public Record Office, ADM106/2622)

- Captain John Oliver and Mr Gabriel Snodgrass wrote to the EIC Court of Directors stating that in their opinion, the following ships were fit to be employed in bringing home teas.

 Scarborough				425 tons
 Brothers				330 tons
 Friendship				330 tons
 Lady Penrhyn			        320 tons
 Britannia				300 tons

(Minutes of the Court of Directors, British Library, IOR B/103, 27 September 1786, p.589)

27 September 1786 – The Court resolved that the following ships be licensed to proceed to Botany Bay and return to England in pursuance of a request from Lord Sydney:

 Scarborough			425 tons
 Brothers			330 tons
 William & Mary                 350 tons
 Britannia			300 tons
 Britannia			300 tons

They also resolved that the same ships be taken up, provided the surveyors gave a favourable inspection. These ships had been tendered by William Richards to bring home teas from China at £10 per ton, builders’ measurement. The ships were to be manned at departure from Gravesend with 9 men and boys (officers included) for each 100 tons. They were to be in China to receive cargoes on or before 15 January 1788. They were not to sail from China with less than 8 men and boys per 100 tons. They shall bring such surplus tonnage as shall be laden on board those ships at half the above freight. (Court of Directors, Minutes of 27 September 1786, Court Minutes, India Office Records, London, IOR B/103, p.588-9)

2 October 1786 – Deptford officers: the Lady Penrhyn and the Scarboro were fit. Also reported on tonnage of Lady Penrhyn – no Master’s name given, 34713/94, 33813/94, new, 6’4”, 6’2”, 6’3” between decks. The Lady Penrhyn would be launched about the 10th.

The Scarborough was discharging her cargo and would be cleared Saturday and measured when laid ashore. (Deptford Yard Letterbooks, Series 2, 1786-1790, ADM106/3364/74b-75; ADM 106/3321/92; Series 4, ADM106/3407/2-3)

16 October 1786 – Deptford Officers to Navy Board. The Scarborough was fit to carry convicts to Botany Bay. Surveyed and measured. Master – Hopper. 3.5 years old. 41836/94 tons. 6’1”, 6’2”, 5’11” between decks. Built at Scarborough. Bottom sheathing. Lowered, laying, and getting ready to undock next springtide. (ADM 106/3321/92-93; Series 4, ADM106/3407/7)

25 October 1786 – The EIC Court of Directors approved the draft of the Company’s licence for the Scarborough to proceed to Botany Bay. (Minutes of the Court of Directors, British Library, IOR B/103, 25 October 1786, p.656)

3 November 1786:

Yesterday the Scarborough was entered outward at the Custom House for Botany Bay. Those concerned in the knowledge of vessels do not scruple to say that she is in a very bad condition to undertake such a voyage; and that it is more than probable she will never reach her destined port. This vessel is to carry the convicts. (Morning Herald, 3 November 1786)

29 November 1786 – Navigation Act Pass. No.3559. Scarborough. Ship. 411 tons. 6 guns. John Marshall. 27 British and 8 foreign crew. For Botany Bay. (ADM7/104)

7 December 1786 – Teer to Navy Board.

"The hatchway of the Scarborough the only ship I understand to have been lessened by the directions of the East India Company, is at present the ordinary size. Before it was remarkable large. I have recommended to the masters to cut scuttles, at least three of a side, fore and aft, which they intend to do, one of which will be of more use for air than all the hatchways in a ship for air; the Lady Penrhyn has two of a side already. The two largest ships, viz, the Alexander and Scarborough, quarterdecks are near three feet above the main deck, which I think sufficient with a marine guard to prevent any danger. The other two ships carry so few convicts, in proportion to the marines and ship’s company, there does not appear to me any occasion for barricades. The masters and company express no kind of fear about it . I do not understand that any part of the gratings are closer than usual, nor do I know that my iron hoops are to be put on them. The bed places are contrived in the best manner they possibly can be aboard of a ship as there are not any cabins between the fore part of the fore hatchway and the after part of the main hatch in midships; so that any one or half the cabins may be cleaned at a time.

"I have secured to fore and main hatchways with bars, which can be taken off in a minute. . ." (ADM106/243)

8 December 1786 – The EIC Court of Directors approved draft instructions to Captain John Marshall of the Scarborough. (IOR/B/104/773)

13 December 1786 – The EIC Court of Directors approved the final instructions to:

 Captain John Marshall of the Scarborough
 Thomas Gilbert of the Charlotte
 William Cropton Sever of the Lady Penrhyn
 & Duncan Sinclair of the Alexander.

Fair transcripts of the said instructions were to be signed and six general letters to Canton. (Minutes of the Court of Directors, British Library, IOR B/103, 13 December 1786, pp.786-787)

The EIC Court of Directors wrote to the Supernumeraries in Canton, advising them that in consequence of an application to them by Lord Sydney, they had licensed the undermentioned ships to proceed to Botany Bay in New South Wales with the intention of forming a settlement there:

 Scarborough		418 tons		Captain John Marshall
 Charlotte		345 tons		Captain Thomas Gilbert
 Lady Penrhyn	        338 tons		Captain Wm Cropton Sever
 Alexander		452 tons		Captain Duncan Sinclair

They had also taken up these ships for bring home teas at the rate of £10 per ton builder’s measurement, provided they be in China ready to receive cargoes by 15 January 1788. They were also taken up on the condition that they did not sail from China with less than 8 men per 100 tons and surplus tonnage was to be at half freight. They enclosed a copy of the licence, the charter parties and the instructions. (IOR R/10/33)

According to the EIC, her measured tonnage on this voyage was 418 tons. (IOR L/MAR/C/325)

15 December 1786 – Teer to Middleton. The Lady Penrhyn sailed from Deptford for Galleons on Tuesday morning and the Alexander on Wednesday. This morning the Scarborough, Fishburn, Golden Grove and Borrowdale sailed for Spithead. The Friendship and the Charlotte will sail tomorrow. . . (ADM106/243)

- Scarborough relocated from Deptford to Gravesend. First entry in log book. (Scarborough Log)

- Joshua Thomas (Navy Board) to Thomas Morton (EIC), forwarding the list of ships going to Botany Bay and desiring him to move the Court of Directors to grant the necessary papers or licences to enable them to proceed eastward of the Cape of Good Hope.

 Scarborough			Friendship
 Lady Penrhyn		        Fishburn
 Charlotte			Borrowdale
 Alexander			Golden Grove (US Naval Archives 45/446)

16 December 1786 – Scarborough paid the people river pay and one month’s advance. (Scarborough Log)

17 December 1786 – 5am: The Scarborough made sail with the Friendship. (Scarborough Log; Friendship Log)

19 December 1786 – Noon: At Deal, the Scarborough weighed anchor, sent the pilot on shore and sailed down the channel. Initially in company with the Friendship but then parted company. (Scarborough Log)

21 December 1786 – Scarborough arrived at Spithead (Scarborough Log)

27 February 1787 – Marine Private John Easty joined the Scarborough with his detachment. (Easty, p.3) 34 marines and officers joined the Scarborough. They were victualled from this date. (Scarborough Log)

Sunday 4 March 1787 – Weather calmer. 185 convicts embarked on the Scarborough – taken out to the Mother Bank in lighters. (Easty, p.3 and Bradley) The Scarborough log records that 185 convicts were embarked, and searched and secured. (Scarborough Log)

- 7am: Hunter’s logbook reports 210 convicts were embarked on the Alexander and Scarborough. (ADM51/832A, Pt.3)

13 March 1787 – The carpenter on the Scarborough building a house on the quarter deck for the Captain to sleep in. (Log)

6 April 1787 – Scarborough received 19 male convicts from the Charlotte – to bring to 208. (Easty, p.4) The Scarborough logbook also records these 19 being brought across with their handcuffs. (Scarborough and Charlotte Logs)

12 April 1787 – 2 convicts from Charlotte to the Scarborough. (Easty, p.4)

13 May 1787 – Sailed with the First Fleet.

First Leg

18 May 1787 – Easty notes that the convicts attempted to rise to take the ship. They were punished with 2 dozen lashes and double irons. Names of convicts on the Scarborough and their names, ages, crimes and trades were taken down. (Easty, p.7)

21 May 1787 – The log of the Sirius records that two convicts were brought on board from the Scarborough and punished with two dozen lashes each for mutinous behaviour and then put on board the Prince of Wales. (Sirius Log, ADM51/832A Pt.2 & Pt.3)

- The Scarborough’s log names them as Phillip Farrell and Thomas Griffiths and says they were taken on board the Commodore as ringleaders in a mutiny planning to take the ship. (Scarborough Log)

Tenerife

3 June 1787 – Arrived at Tenerife with the fleet.

10 June 1787 – Weighed anchor and sailed.

Second Leg

28 July 1787 – The Scarborough split the main topsail in a storm. Easty wrote: ‘unbent it and bent a new one’.

Rio de Janeiro

5 August 1787 – Entered the harbour with the fleet.

11 August 1787 –The Scarborough was fitted out and repairs done to the rigging. (Easty, p.30)

4 September 1787 – The fleet weighed anchor and sailed.

Third Leg

8 September 1787 – Strong winds and rain. When the wind swung round, the Scarborough came close to striking the Fishburn. Several days of dirty weather followed. The heaviest rain Easty had seen in his life. (Easty, p.36) The log of the Scarborough – ‘wind round the compass’. (Scarborough Log)

The Cape

13 October 1787 – Arrived at the Cape with the fleet.

24 October 1787 – The seamen on the Scarborough were given shore leave. (Easty, p.52)

Letter from an unnamed officer on the Scarborough at the Cape:

"We left Rio Janeiro the 4th of August [sic] 1787, nothing material happened until the 19th, when a convict fell overboard from the Charlotte transport, and in despite of [sic] every effort to save him, was drowned. From that time to the 25th, we had bad weather, rain and heavy lightning. On the 3rd of September, we discovered an intent among the seamen of our ship to mutiny; but by the timely exertions of the Commodore and officers, the ringleader was punished, and we were happily relieved from danger. At this time the Charlotte had 30 sick, and the rest of the ship’s crews, marines, and convicts had many ill; but by the blessing of God, soon after, the weather clearing up, the sick were sent upon deck, which method, with the cleanliness preserved throughout the fleet, proved restorative, health was reinstated among us, and we prosecuted our voyage in high spirits; about this time some female convicts on board different ships increased the number of souls by an addition of seven children; our Doctor baptized them on the appointed day, and the weather being exceeding fine, the christenings were kept on board the respective ships with great glee, an additional allowance of grog being distributed to the crews of those ships where the births took place.

"On the 7th of October the Alexander transport threw out three signals of distress, upon which the Commodore ordered the boats to be manned and sent on board. The Captain of the Alexander informed the commanding officer that his men had mutinied and attempted to release the convicts, in order to strengthen themselves, but our well-timed assistance prevented these desperadoes from effecting their evil intention. Our people secured four of the most daring, and sent them in irons on board the Sirius. The principal part of the marines on board the Alexander being ill, and therefore unable to prevent any attempts they might make after our departure, the next day the Alexander sent two convicts on board our ship, they having been very disorderly the preceding night.

"On the 12th of October, to our great joy, we made Table Bay, and our Commodore having ordered the signal to be thrown out for all the ships to come in his wake, the Captains received their instructions for the disposition in which the fleet was entered and moored.

"They immediately hoisted their colours, saluting the Commodore as they passed by sailing into the Bay. Joy now beamed in every countenance, and we congratulated each other on the pleasing prospect of plenty of fresh provisions, with abundance of herbs, roots, and fruits, the production of this fine country. Judge then, after a run of 1094 leagues, our happiness at the pleasing scene before our eyes.

"In passing into the Bay our satisfaction was allayed by the loss of the second mate of the Friendship, a worthy character and a good seamen; he fell overboard and perished.

"On the first of November, one of the Lady Penrhyn’s women, a convict, fell overboard, but was saved by our boat; the next day we had the further satisfaction of preserving some Dutch seamen belonging to an East Indiaman, whose boat was overset in a gust of wind and lost.

"Our worthy Commodore, and our agent, to whom the greatest praise is due for their humanity and attention to ourselves, have given public notice to the Masters of the different ships, to hold themselves in readiness to receive sailing instructions on the 10th of December, as it is intended to quit the Cape of Good Hope on the 11th day of December.

"We have plentiful provision of live stock and other necessaries for the new settlement, an enumeration of which I here subjoin, viz, three bulls, ten cows, three stone-horses, twelve mares, 120 rams and ewes, four make, 20 female goats, 80 dozen fowls, 20 dozen ducks, six dozen of geese, and four dozen of turkeys. Corn, wheat flour, garden seeds, spirits, and other necessaries (independent of the livestock) to the amount of £2000.

"Whilst we remain here every person is allowed one pound and a half of meat, one pound and a half of bread, and one gallon of beer per diem; and I can assure you our agent has purchased plenty of belly timber for the remainder of the voyage.

"The only place proposed to stop at between the Cape and Botany Bay is the island of Desolation, so called from its being a rock on which no herbage grows, in the centre of which rock is a beautiful lake of fresh water, a supply of which will be necessary to preserve our livestock. The island was discovered by Captain Cook, and of course named by that gallant Commander; it has but one port, called Christmas Harbour, so called from being discovered and entered into on that day.

"To be brief, our fleet will be in good repair; our seamen, soldiers, and convicts are in high spirits. The provision made by government has filled the hearts of the new settlers with gratitude; the more rational part of them are convinced that on their arrival at Botany Bay, by industry and attention they will enjoy all the requisites reasonable beings can desire; that the disgrace they suffered in England, due to their crimes, will by good behaviour at Botany Bay be buried in oblivion; that removed from their wicked companions in London, they will have no seducing opportunities to swerve from the cause of virtue; and that in all probability they may be the founders of an empire greater than that from which they are banished." (London Chronicle, 29 May 1788)

13 November 1787 – The fleet weighed anchor and sailed.

Fourth Leg

25 November 1787 – The fleet divided. At 9.30, the Sirius made the signals for the Supply, Alexander, Scarborough and Friendship. She subsequently made the signals for the Prince of Wales and Charlotte. At 11am, Captain Phillip, with P.G. King, and Lieut. Dawes embarked on board the Supply and took with them the timekeeper. Major Ross and Adjutant Long embarked on board the Scarborough. At noon, Captain Phillip in the Supply, with the Alexander, Scarborough and Friendship, parted company.

Hunter hoisted in the boats, and made sail in company with the 6 remaining transports and store ships. At noon, the Alexander, the Scarborough and the Friendship were about 4 leagues ahead and the Supply was out of sight. Hunter reduced the ships to 3 pints per day. (Sirius Log, 25 & 26 November, ADM51/832A Pt.3)

3 December 1787 – Strong winds which damaged the masts of the Scarborough. (Easty)

23 December 1787 – Easty records the Scarborough carried away the fore top gallant yard. (Easty)

5 January 1788 – The Scarborough made the south cape of New Holland. Heavy rain. (Easty)

19 January 1788 – Scarborough made the mouth of Botany Bay. The Supply had arrived the day before. (Easty)

26 January 1787 – Sailed from Botany Bay to Sydney Cove with the fleet.

Sydney Cove

27 January 1787 – Easty (on the Scarborough) wrote: ‘100 convicts went on shore at 2 o’clock. . .’ (p.94)

28 January 1787 – Easty wrote that the last of the convicts from the Scarborough were debarked that morning at 10 o’clock. (Easty, p.94)

- In the afternoon, the Governor sent on board John Fawley, a seaman from the Scarborough, to be punished with 12 lashes for disobedience to orders and insolence to an officer. (Sirius Log, 28 & 29 January, ADM51/832A Pt.4)

4 May 1787 – The Lady Penrhyn and the Scarborough dropped down the harbour. (Prince of Wales Log)

NSW to China

6 May 1788 – Sailed from NSW.

18 May 1788 – Off Lord Howe Island. (Scarborough Log)

20 May 1788 – Sailed in company with the Charlotte. (Scarborough Log)

From 18 June 1788 – Discovered and named some of the Gilbert Islands.

From 25 June 1788 – Discovered and named some of the Marshall Islands.

31 July 1788 – Reached the island of Tinian in the Marianas.

9 September 1788 – Off Macau.

China

14 October 1788 – The Canton supercargoes reported having agreed to make the following payments:

 Captain Gilbert, advanced him - Taels 352,941
 Captain Marshall, advanced him - Taels 352,941 (IOR G/12/89, pp.139-140)

The Canton supercargoes wrote to the Governor and Council of Bombay and the Governor-General and Council at Bengal advising of the arrival of a number of ships, including the Scarborough and Charlotte from Botany Bay. (IOR G/12/89, pp.141-2, 144-5)

22 October 1788 – At Whampoa. (L MAR/A-B Catalogue of East India Company Ships’ Journals & Logs, 1600-1834, British Library)

- People employed repairing the sails and making rope. Carpenter and caulkers at work on the ship’s sides. Came alongside Boat No.1 with 80 half chests of china. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

23 October 1788 – People employed in storing the 80 half chests of china. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

24 October 1788 – Came alongside Boats No.2 & 3 with 180 chests of Bohea tea. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

25 October 1788 – Stowing the tea. Received on board 100 matts on the ship’s account. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

27 October 1788- People involved in stowing the tea. Carpenter and caulkers still at work on the sides. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

28 October 1788 – As before.

29 October 1788 – Got the main and fore topmast up and hung the rigging. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

30 October 1788 – Employed getting up the main and foreyard and setting up the topmast rigging. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

31 October 1788 – People still employed in stowing the tea. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

1 November 1788 – People employed about the rigging and repairing the sails. Carpenter and caulkers still employed caulking the sides. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

3 November 1788 – People employed scraping the ship’s paint work, repairing the sails and fitting the rigging. Caulking the sides. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

4 November 1788 – The supercargoes recorded having made the following payments (among others):

 Captain Marshall on charter party terms - Taels 494,117
 Captain Gilbert on charter party terms - Taels 352,941
 Captain Sever on charter party terms - Taels 494,117 (IOR G/12/89, pp.178-9)

- People employed staying the main mast and setting up the main rigging and repairing the sails. Caulking the sides. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

5 November 1788 – People employed repairing the sails and staying the foremast and setting up the main topmast rigging. Caulking the sides. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

6 November 1788 – People employed repairing the sails and setting up the fore rigging. Caulking the sides. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

7 November 1788 – People employed repairing the sails and about the rigging. Caulking the sides. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

8 November 1788 – As before.

10 November 1788 – People employed painting the inside of the ship and other jobs about the side. Carpenter and caulkers still caulking the ship’s sides. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

11 November 1788 – People employed scraping the ship’s sides. Carpenter caulking the quarter deck. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

12 November 1788 – People employed scraping the ship’s sides and painting the ship. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

13 November 1788 – People painting the ship and other necessary jobs. Carpenter still caulking the quarter deck. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

17 November 1788 – At 5pm, came alongside boats 4, 5 & 6 with 1,180 chests of Congo tea. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

18-20 November 1788 – The people were employed taking in the Congo tea and stowing it in the holds. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

20 November 1788 – The supercargoes reported having made the following payment:

 Captain Marshall on charter party terms - Taels 352,941 (IOR G/12/89, p.191)

23 November 1788 – At 2am, came alongside boats 7 & 8 with 950 chests of Congo tea. People employed in taking it on board. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

24 November 1788 – The people employed in stowing the tea and in bending the three top sails and the mains. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

25 November 1788 – The people employed in setting up the rigging. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

26 November 1788 – Came alongside boats 9, 10 & 11 with 1,297 chests of Congo tea. People employed in receiving and stowing. The carpenter in caulking down the fore and after hatchway of the lower decks. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

27 November 1788 – People employed in bending the mainsails. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

28 November 1788 – Came alongside boats 12 & 13 with 80 chests of Congo tea. Carpenter employed in caulking the tween decks. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

29 November 1788 – People employed in stowing the ship’s provisions in the gun room. Carpenter caulking down the main hatchway in the lower deck. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

30 November 1788 – Stowing the tea. Received 100 matts on the ship’s account. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

1 December 1788 – Came alongside boats 14, 15, & 16 with 1,228 chests of Hyson skins. Died John Farrer, seaman. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

2 December 1788 – Carpenter employed in caulking down the main and fore hatchway. People getting in the long boat and yawl. Came alongside the Captain’s and officers’ private trade.

 IM    Tea 1 @ 26 chests; do Cassia 1 @ 25 chests; do Nankeen 1 @ 4 chests
 ID	Tea 1 @ 6 do; Cassia 1 @ 5 chests
 TP	Tea 1 @ 4 do; Whangees 1 chest
 SA	Tea 1 @ 4 do; Whangees 2 chest
 IT	Tea 1 @ 4 do; Whangees 1 chest
 IF	Tea 1 @ 2 do; Bamboo 1 chest
 FS	Tea 1 @ 2 do; Whangees 1 chest
 WL	Tea 1 @ 2 do; Bamboos 1 chest (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

3 December 1788 – People employed clearing the decks and getting all clear for going to sea. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

4 December 1788 – People employed repairing the steering sails and other jobs as needful. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

5 December 1788 – People employed lashing the water casks and spars. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

6 December 1788 – At 5am came alongside Boat No.17 with 339 chests of Hyson tea and one small box of china called the Muster Box. Employed taking on board the tea and stowing it. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

8 December 1788 – Came alongside Boat No.18 with 95 chests of Hyson Skins. People employed in taking it on board and stowing it. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

9 December 1788 – People employed setting up the rigging. Carpenter caulking down the after hatchway. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

10 December 1788 – The carpenter caulking down the after hatchway, the ship having completed her lading. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

13 December 1788 – The supercargoes considered a letter from Captain Marshall of the Scarborough, asking permission to take Mr John Watt on board and carry him to England. (IOR G/12/94, p.6)

15 December 1788 – Unmoored the ship and got the stream anchor on board and carried the kedge anchor and hawser out to steady the ship. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

16 December 1788 – The Minerva, Earl Talbot, Barwell, Scarborough and Charlotte were dispatched by the supercargoes at 9pm. (IOR G/12/94, p.6)

Canton supercargoes to the Court of Directors, which said, in part:

"We have the further satisfaction to inform the Honourable Court of the safe arrival of the ships Scarborough, Charlotte and Lady Penhryn from New South Wales. . ." (IOR G/12/94, p.7)

Manifest of Private Trade on the Scarborough (13 December 1788, IOR G/12/95, p.52)

17 December 1788 – The Canton supercargoes wrote to the Court of Directors, which was sent by the Scarborough and the Charlotte, advising them that they had advanced the Commander of the Scarborough 2,400 dollars, and the Charlotte, 3,300 dollars for defraying the expenses of their respective ships, the receipts for which were enclosed. (IOR G/12/94, pp.30-31)

– The Captain and the Pilot came on board with the Company packet. At 10am got under way and warped down below all shipping. Then set sail and ran down to the 1st Bar and came to an anchor in 4 fathoms of water, ‘being whery dark’. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

18 December 1788 – At 4am got under way and ran down to the 2nd Bar. At 7am, came to an anchor about 2 miles above the 2nd Bar, not having water to go over. At 1pm, got under way and ran down to the Bocca Tigris. At 10pm came to anchor in 12 fathoms of water, 2 miles below the Bocca Tigris. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

19 December 1788 – At 4am got under way and at noon got down to Macau. Sent the pilot on shore and made sail. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

29 December 1788 – The Canton supercargoes wrote to the Court of Directors concerning the blue and white chinaware sent on some of the ships, including the Scarborough and the Charlotte. It was made for them last year but came down too late. Consequently, the teapots, milk pots, sauce boats and mugs were of the same 3 sizes and the sets of dishes of the same 5 sizes as those sent last year. But care had been taken not to send any of the common tea sets or other things that are said not to answer. The figured chinaware takes longer in painting and none is yet ready. (IOR G/12/94, pp.52-3)

The Scarborough would be paid for 418 measured tons at £10 per ton and 145 surplus tons at £5 per ton. (IOR L/MAR/C/325)

China to England

17 December 1788 – Smyth wrote that the Charlotte and the Scarborough sailed for England this day. (Smyth, British Library)

20 December 1788 – The Scarborough was at sea. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

30 December 1788 – Saw the Charlotte, Captain Gilbert on their starboard quarter. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

31 December 1788 – Saw the Charlotte, Gilbert astern. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

1 January 1789 – Made her way through the Straits of Banca. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

7 January 1789 – 6pm, Princes Island 5 leagues to the SW. At 8pm, died Patrick Collins, seaman. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

8 January 1789 – At 6am, got up her anchor and made from Princes Island. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

12 & 14 January 1789 – Carpenter employed caulking the bulkhead on the main deck. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

4 March 1789 – At noon, saw the Table Land on the Cape of Good Hope. (IOR MAR/B/335G)

20 March 1789 – At anchor off St Helena. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

21 March 1789 – People getting in water. People repairing the sails and rigging. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

24 March 1789 – Sailed from St Helena in company with the Admiral Hughes. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

She had a very easy voyage home with very little stormy weather. She had all sail set on 53 days during the passage..

20 May 1789 – The Court of Directors ordered that a bill of exchange drawn by Captain Marshall of the Scarborough from St Helena for £59.19.6 in favour of the Company be tendered for acceptance and paid when due. (Minutes of the Court of Directors, 20 May 1789, IOR B/109/137)

28 May 1789 – The EIC reported a letter of this date from Captain Thomas Gilbert, Scarborough (sic) off the Wight. (IOR B/109/199)

- The ship’s log reported that at 3pm they saw the Isle of Wight. At 4pm, came alongside a cutter, and the log reads, ‘in which I sent my sirgen on shore with the Honourable Company’s packet’ and John Watts, passenger.

29 May 1789 – The Edinburgh Advertiser carried a story that the Scarborough had been passed by the Olive Branch on the 17th of May lying at Lat. 45º, Long. 23º 30’. (EA, 29 May 1789, p.5)

- The Scarborough was lying off the Wight. (LL of this date)

- The Ship’s log reports her working up into the Queen’s Channel in company with the Diligence, the EIC yacht. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

31 May 1789 – At 7pm came too in 7 fathoms of water abreast of Chalk Wharf at Gravesend. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

1 June 1789 – The Scarborough and the Alexander arrived at Gravesend. (LL, 2.6.89)

- At 7am, came too in 8 fathoms of water in the middle of Long Reach. Employed getting out the boats and clearing the decks. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

3 June 1789 – Sending on shore empty water casks and clearing the decks. At 10am, came on board Captain Oliver and Captain Coggan to examine the hatches ‘and found them full & dry’. At 5pm, came alongside the Bengal hoy, Matthew Barrett Master, and the Providence, J. Estridge Master, to take out the Hon’ble Company’s goods. Strong gales. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

4 June 1789 – Strong gales and squally, uncertain weather. Employed delivering into the Bengal hoy, 600 quarter chests of tea and one box of china, [‘musters’ or ‘masters’], and the private trade. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

5 June 1789 – Employed delivering into the hoy, 460 quarter chests on account of the Hon’ble Company, the passenger’s chest. Delivered into the Providence, J. Estridge, 380 quarter chests of tea on account of the HC. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

6 June 1789 – Delivering into the Charming Sally, J M[?] Master, 509 quarter chests of tea, and into the Good Intent, Abraham Harbottle Master, 250 quarter chests. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

7 June 1789 – Employed unmooring the ship. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

8 June 1789 – At 7am, made sail. At 2pm, brought up at Blackwall in 5 fathoms of water. At 10pm, made sail. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

9 June 1789 – At 5am, came to at the Red House, Deptford. Unbending the sails. At 8am, came alongside the Robert, David Henderman Master. At 6pm, came alongside the Bengal, Matthew Barrett Master. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

10 June 1789 – Employed delivering into the Good Intent, Abraham Harbottle Master, 168 quarter chests of tea and the Robert, David Henderman, 700 quarter chests. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

11 June 1789 – Delivered into the Robert, 98 quarter chests, and into the Bengal hoy, 462 quarter chests. Received on board for 20 empty bags for the use on the Hon’ble Company. Came alongside the Clopton hoy, Thomas Webb Master. Hired 8 men and paid off the ship’s company. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

12 June 1789 – Employed delivering into the Bengal hoy, 758 quarter chests and into the Clopton lighter, 100 quarter chests. Came alongside the Providence lighter, J. Estridge Master. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

13 June 1789 – Employed delivering into the Clopton lighter, 917 quarter chests. St 1pm, came alongside the Bombay hoy, William Widgin Master. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

Sunday 14 June – Employed as needful.

15 June 1789 – Employed delivering into the Providence lighter, 374 quarter chests, and into the Bombay hoy, 70 quarter chests of tea [Congo?] and 116 whole chests of Bohea. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

16 June 1789– Delivering into the Bombay hoy, 41 quarter chests, 2 bags of sweepings (‘NB query 2 chests’), 64 whole chests of Bohea, 8 half chests of china. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

17 June 1789 – At 11am, came on board the King’s officers and cleared the ship. Latter part employed clearing the hold. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

18 June 1789 – Employed clearing the ship, discharged the Second Mate and boatswain. (IOR L/MAR/B/335G)

19 June 1789 – This was the date of discharge of the last of the crew, according to the return of Greenwich sixpences. There were two entries, one for Botany Bay and one for ‘India’. 418 tons. The crew was listed as 25 from Botany Bay and 23 from China, suggesting she might have lost two men. (ADM68/206)

Botany Bay and China (2)

27 August 1789 – Contract awarded to (and signed with?) George Whitlock for the Lord North, Scarborough and Surprize. (‘Accounts and Papers Relating to Convicts on Board the Hulks, and Those Transported to New South Wales’, Ordered to be Printed 10th and 26th March 1792, House of Commons Sessional Papers of the Eighteenth Century, (83) 1791-92, pp.259-368, p.311ff)

7 September 1789 – The Navy Board directed its officers to write to Mr Bowen to report whether the Scarborough, Surprize and Lord North were proper to carry convicts to NSW. (ADM106/2631)

9 September 1789 – Bowen to Navy Board. In obedience to their directions of the 7th, he had been on board the ships and found them in the following state:

"The Scarborough, lying in Church Hole, was a good ship, very fit for the service, could be completed with the cabins and bulkheads in a few days, and was ready to receive stores and provisions immediately. . .

"These last two ships (the Scarborough and the Lord North) could not be prepared to receive stores and provisions in less than a month and it would require great exertion to get them ready even in that time." (ADM106/243)

29 September 1789 – Bowen to the Board. The Neptune at Deptford and the Scarborough at Church Hole, Rotherhithe, would be ready to receive provisions on Friday 2 October. He provided details of the provisions to go on both. (ADM106/243)

9 October 1789 – Navigation Licence for the Scarborough. No.8216. 411 tons, 6 guns. John Marshall. 26/8 crew. To Botany Bay & China. (ADM7/108)

12 October 1789 – Navy Board to Treasury. The Neptune and the Scarborough would be ready to receive convicts by the latter part of this week. They sought an answer to their letter of the 29th, fearing that the ships would soon come in heavy demurrage. (ADM106/2631)

22 October 1789 – Embarked in the Scarborough – 2 commissioned officers (2 Lieutenants) and 30 men. (CO201/5/230 & 237)

2 November 1789 – Bowen issued a certificate stating that George Whitlock had caused the bulkheads and cabins to be fitted complete for the accommodation of 1,000 convicts to be transported in the Neptune, Scarborough and Surprize, by which he was entitled to his first imprest by his contract of 27 August. (ADM106/243)

- Bowen to Navy Board. The Neptune was lying at Long Reach and the Scarborough at Deptford ready to receive their convicts. (ADM106/243)

4 November 1789 – The Court of Directors, according to an order of 28 October, taking into consideration a report of the Committee of Shipping, resolved that the Neptune, Surprize and Scarborough be freighted by the Company to being home teas from China, provided on a further survey under the supercargoes in Canton, they were found tight and in good condition. They were freighted on the same terms as the Lady Juliana. (Minutes of the Court of Directors, 4 November 1789, IOR B/110/765)

10 November 1789 – The first of the convicts (84 men) were loaded on the Scarborough at Deptford. (The Argus, 11 November 1789, p.2; English Chronicle of Universal Evening Post, 10-12 November 1789; Whitehall Evening Post, 10-12 November 1789)

15 November 1789 – The Scarborough, Marshal, sailed from Gravesend. (LL, 17.11.89)

18 November 1789 – The Scarborough, Marshall, arrived in the Downs. (General Evening Post, 19-21 November 1789)

19 November 1789 – The Scarborough, Marshal, sailed from the Downs. (LL, 20.11.89)

22 November 1789 – The Scarborough, Marshal, arrived at Portsmouth. (LL, 24.11.89)

13 December 1789 – The remainder of her convicts had been embarked at Portsmouth by this date. (‘Some Early Records of the Macarthurs’, pp.6-7)

17 January 1790 – Sailed from Portsmouth with the fleet.

First Leg

12 February 1790 – The convicts began planning an uprising on this day, when the Scarborough was separated from the other ships. (Burt to a gentleman of Lincoln’s Inn, 18 April 1790, published in Public Advertiser, 18 October 1790; Whitehall Evening Post, 8-10 June 1790; Edinburgh Advertiser, 10 October 1790, p.5)

25 February 1790 – The Scarborough crossed the Equator with a light wind. (Sibella Macarthur Onslow (ed.), 'Some Early Records of the Macarthurs of Camden', Sydney: Angus & Robertson, 1914, p.13)

The Cape

13 April 1790 – The ships arrived at False Bay.

14 April 1790 – Elizabeth Macarthur reported that after a severe gale, the Scarborough anchored in False Bay. ('Some Early Records of the Macarthurs’, p.13)

29 April 1790 – Shapcote wrote to the Navy Board. The ships were just getting under way. (‘Accounts and Papers', p.327)

Second Leg

Elizabeth Macarthur wrote that the passage could ‘be truly called a tempestuous one’, and her husband was ill for much of the time. ('Some Early Records of the Macarthurs’, p.14)

Arrival

28 June 1790 – Arrived at Port Jackson. (Phillip to Navy Board, 6 August 1790, Accounts and Papers, p.327; Phillip to Nepean, 6 August 1790, TNA CO201/5/200)

29 June 1790 – Anchored in Sydney Cove. (Phillip to Navy Board, 6 August 1790, Accounts and Papers, p.327)

27 July 1790 – She was discharged from government service. (Phillip to Navy Board, 6 August 1790, Accounts and Papers, p.327; Phillip to Nepean, 6 August 1790, CO201/5/200a)

NSW to China

8 August 1790 – Scarborough sailed for China and England. (Easty, p.118)

Based on Robertson’s Chart No.2, she sailed with the Lady Juliana for most of the voyage:

"This track is shown as beginning well west of ‘Wallis’s Island’, just south of a shoal at about longitude 173º E, latitude 12º S. It continues northward until it follows closely a chain of islands, or perhaps two chains of islands, from latitude 5º N to 10º N and longitudes 173º to 174º E. This group is named ‘Lord Mulgrave’s Range’ and from south to north individual islands are named ‘Byrons Island, Hoppers, Woodville, Clarks, Gillespy’s and Allen’s Island’. The second group is really four clusters of very small islands between latitude 6º and 10º N and longitudes 171º and 175º E. Two further, larger, islands at latitude 12º N are called ‘Piscadores, Wallis’. Thereafter the track veers west and north to latitude 16º N, and then on to pass between ‘Seypan Island’, Tinian and ‘Aguygan’ at about latitude 15º N, longitude 145º E." (Richards, Great Circle, 8:1, p.56)

Wallis Island (Uvea) is between Fiji (to the south-west) and Tuvalu (to the north-west), and Samoa (to the east). Thus, they will have sailed to the east of Fiji, turning north and sailing almost direct north, passing well to the west of Wallis Island.

It is obvious that they tracked northward from there, remaining in the same longitude, from 12 degrees south to around 6 degrees north.

He then tracked north-west, through the northern part of the Marshall Islands, passing Ailuk Atoll, known then as Piscadore Island, at 10.20N, 169.52E. They then turned slightly to the north, and headed for the Northern Marianas.

Saipan is one of the larger islands in the Northern Marianas. It is located at 15.25N, 145.75E, 120 miles to the north of Guam. Tinian is the third major island in that group.

From there they will have tracked almost directly west to Macau.

China

27 October 1790 – The Scarborough, Justinian and Lady Juliana anchored at Whampoa. (IOR G/12/98, p.69; IOR G/12/99, p.81)

With the exception of the Lady Juliana, the Botany Bay ships had arrived unexpectedly, so that the committee of supercargoes had no documentation other than the charterparties and instructions brought by the Captains. In the absence of such documentation, they resolved to take them into service on the same terms as the First Fleet ships. (Committee to Court of Directors, 7 January 1791, IOR G/12/98, pp.118-119)

The log of the Marquis of Lansdown reported that four ships from Botany Bay had anchored at Whampoa. (IOR L/MAR/B/373B)

31 October 1790 – The Quan Che Fou measured the following ships:

 Surprize		Munqua is her security
 Justinian		Puan khequa is her security
 Scarborough		Chowqua is her security
 Lady Juliana		Shykinqua is her security (IOR G/12/98, p.72)

3 November 1790 – The ‘measurage’ of the Surprize, Justinian, Scarborough and Lady Juliana. The Scarborough:

 Broad – 21.4
 Long – 69.3
 Measurage – Tales 741,510
 Present – Tales 1950,000

Security was provided by Chowqua. (IOR G/12/99, p.15)

12 November 1790 – The Canton supercargoes appointed Captains John Woolmore and Essex Henry Bond to survey the five Botany Bay ships:

"To Captains John Woolmore & Henry Essex Bond (sic).

"Gentlemen,

"We request that you will repair on board the ships, Lady Juliana, Justinian, Scarborough, Surprize and Neptune, taking with you your carpenters & caulkers, and after holding a survey on the said ships, report to us your opinion whether they are in a proper state to receive cargoes for Europe on account of the Hon’ble Company." (IOR G/12/98, pp.83-84)

14 November 1790 – Canton supercargoes made payments on charterparty terms to Captain Marshall and Captain Aitkin – Taels 352,941 each. (IOR G/12/99, p.22)

Lloyd’s List of 21 May 1791 reported the following ships at China:

 Surprize, Amstie
 Justinian, Maitland
 Scarborough, Marshal
 Lady Juliana, Aitkin
 Neptune, Trail (LL, 21.5.91)

17 November 1790 – The supercargoes read a letter from Woolmore and Bond:

"The Scarborough is the only ship as yet in condition to receive the Hon’ble Company’s cargo. The Surprize was not ready for our survey, the Justinian, Lady Juliana and Neptune’s lower decks, waterways, spirketings, mast wedges etc not being sufficiently well caulked, are not yet in condition." (IOR/G/12/98, p.85)

18 November 1790 – Payments by the supercargoes to

 Captain Marshall on charterparty terms - Taels 352,911
 Captain Aitkin on charterparty terms - Taels 352,911 (IOR G/12/98, p.86)

Throughout the period when these ships were at Canton, there were ongoing disputes with the Chinese merchants over the quality of the tea being supplied.

21 December 1790 – No shipping off this day due to a great festival with the Chinese. (IOR G/12/98, p.109)

24 December 1790 – 60 half chests of Chinaware packed at Exchins for the Scarborough – the first mention of cargo for the Scarborough. (IOR G/12/99, p.57)

8 January 1791 – The supercargoes made a payment to Captain Marshall on charterparty terms of Tales 352,941. (IOR/G/12/98, p.120; IOR G/12/99, p.71)

24 January 1791 – The Committee came to the resolution to send on board the Lord Walsingham, Surprize, Justinian, Scarborough and Lady Juliana, 100 chests of Bohea tea & 200 on the Neptune. They were concerned from the great scarcity of Congo that they should be under the necessity of loading the Henry Dundas exclusively with Bohea. (IOR G/12/98, p.132)

28 January 1791 – 2pm: The Marquis of Lansdown mustered the ship’s company for Captain Marshall of the Scarborough who came on board in search of deserters. (Log of the Marquis of Lansdown, IOR L/MAR/B/373B)

31 January 1791 – Minerva, Barwell, Francis, Marquis of Lansdown, Royal Charlotte, Belmont, Hillsborough, Royal Admiral, Osterly, Triton, Hindoostan and Admiral Sir Edward Hughes sailed. (IOR G/12/98, p.135)

6 February 1791 – The trade opened again this day (possibly after Chinese New Year) and it was appointed the last shipping day in private trade for: Surprise, Justinian, Scarborough and Lady Juliana. For the Neptune, it was to be the 20th. (IOR G/12/98, p.152)

18 February 1791 – No shipping due to a Chinese festival. (IOR G/12/98, p.154)

23 February 1791 – Captain Marshall informed the Committee that the Scarborough required 600 chests of Singlo to complete her loading. (IOR G/12/98, p.157)

26 February 1791 – The Surprize, Scarborough, Lady Juliana and Neptune were loaded. (IOR G/12/98, p.161)

27 February 1791 – Supercargoes made payments to Captain Aitkin (Tales 705,882), Captain Maitland (Tales 352,941) and Captain Marshall (Tales 494,117). (IOR G/12/98, p.162; IOR G/12/99, p.148)

12 March 1791 – At 7am, the supercargoes dispatched the following ships: Lord Thurlow, Woodcot, Earl Talbot, Earl of Abergavenny, Ceres, Belvedere, Surprize, Justinian, Scarborough, Lady Juliana, Lord Walsingham, Neptune, Henry Dundas. (IOR G/12/98, p.165; IOR G/12/99, p.191)

She sailed with:

 60 chests of Chinaware
 5,363 peculs of black teas
 988 peculs of green teas.

The total value was Tales 78,367,683. Of the teas:

 Bohea – 1,188,82 peculs
 Best Bohea – 2,276,61 peculs
 Congo – 469,81 peculs
 Singlo – 625,74 peculs. (IOR G/12/99, pp.153 & 160-161)

The Scarborough would be paid for 418 measured tons at £10 per ton and 145 surplus tons at £5 per ton. (IOR L/MAR/C/325)

China to England

20 March 1791 – The Surprize sailed with: HMS Leopard and Thames, Abergavenny, Belvedere, Walsingham, Ceres, Henry Dundas, Neptune, Justinian, Woodcot, Talbot, Juliana, Scarborough and Lord Thurlo. (Anstis, Journal of the Surprize, IOR L/MAR/B/447B & C)

[Where they sailed together, Antis' Journal provides some detail on the voyage of the Scarborough.]

21 March 1791 – The five Botany Bay ships sailed in a convoy with the Earl of Abergavenny, Lord Thurlow, Ceres, Earl Talbot, Woodcot, Henry Dundas, Lord Walsingham, Belvedere, under the protection of HMS Leopard, 50 guns, and HMS Thames, 32 guns. (LL, 19.8.91)

4 April 1791 – Woodcot took the Scarborough in tow. (Anstis)

14 April 1791 – 7am: The Commodore made the signal to anchor. The convoy at anchor next Pulo Ling. (Anstis)

[Over the next few days, they anchored and made sail a number of times – the reasons are not clear.]

18 April 1791 – 3pm: Commodore made signal to anchor. (Anstis)

29 April 1791 – AM: Anchored at Angra (or Angree) Point. Watering. (Anstis)

30 April 1791 – Completed watering. (Anstis)

2 May 1791 – Signal to officers to repair on board their ships. (Anstis)

3 May 1791 – Made sail. (Anstis)

4 May 1791 – Straits of Sunda. (Anstis)

5 May 1791 – Saw Princes Island. (Anstis)

6 May 1791 – The Royal Navy vessels parted company from the fleet. (LL, 19.8.91)

- PM: Parted company with the Leopard and Thames. Captain Thompson of the Lord Thurlo was now Commodore. (Anstis)

- AM: Thompson signalled for an officer from each ship. (Anstis)

16 May 1791 – AM: Saw a strange sail. (Anstis)

17 May 1791 – PM: The strange sail was the Carnatic from London.

- AM: Thompson made the signal for all commanders. Based on information from the Carnatic, the different ships of the convoy were to make the best of their way to St Helena. (Anstis)

18 May 1791 – AM: 8 sail in sight. (Anstis)

- 11am: Surprize reported the last sight of Neptune and Scarborough. (Anstis)

17 July 1791 – The Scarborough sailed from St Helena. She was one of many Botany Baymen in the region at the time.

When the Warren Hastings sailed from False Bay on 19 July 1791, she left behind the following:

 • The Albemarle, Admiral Barrington, Queen, Active and Britannia of the Third Fleet.
 • The Neptune, on her way back from China, of the Second Fleet.
 • HMS Gorgon which had lately arrived from Europe.

When she sailed from St Helena on 6 August, she left there the Lady Juliana, on her way back from China. And the Scarborough and the Justinian, of the Second Fleet, had sailed several weeks earlier. (London Chronicle, 4 October 1791)

9 October 1791 – The Scarborough, Marshall, arrived in the Downs. (LL, 11.10.91)

13 October 1791 – The Scarborough arrived at Gravesend. (LL, 11.10.91)

Tender for Botany Bay

28 December 1791 – King to Rose directing that another ship of at least 400 tons burthen be taken up, in addition to the Britannia and the Kitty, for conveying articles that cannot be conveyed in those vessels (as discussed in letters of 15 & 26 December). Also 15 families of Quakers. (T1/703/251-251a)

29 December 1791 – Long to Navy Board directing them to tender for a ship of 400 tons to convey certain articles to NSW. (Referred to in T29/64/158-159)

3 January 1792 – The Navy Board resolved that publication be made for the hire of a ship of 400 tons to carry stores, provisions and clothing and 15 private families to NSW. To treat on Monday 9th January. (ADM106/2640)

9 January 1792 – William Richards tendered the Scarborough. Navy Board instructed the Deptford Officers and Mr Bowen to survey the Scarborough to carry stores and provisions to NSW. (ADM106/2640)

10 January 1792 – Deptford Officers to Navy Board. They had been to Blackwall and surveyed the Scarborough in the best manner they could afloat. She had been tendered to carry stores, provisions and passengers to NSW. She was ten years old, the bottom was sheathed and fitted. Between decks she was 5’4”, but under the beams only 4’4”. Her construction was unfavourable and her height confined. They could not recommend her for a service ‘so remote and so important’. (ADM106/3408/278)

11 January 1792 – The Navy Board advised the Treasury that they had received tenders, the lowest of which was for 9/11 per ton per month, however upon surveying her it was found she was not a proper vessel. The next lowest tender was 10/11 per ton month, however before they sent her to be surveyed, they brought it to their attention that George M. Macaulay had written tendering a ship of 400-500 tons, to be ready in a month, at 40/- per ton. If the conditions were acceptable she would cost half of the lowest tender. (The conditions were that the ship should proceed to India and load home at his option, cotton or sugar, to be sold at EIC sales.) (Navy Board to Long, 11 January 1792, T1/701/328-329; ADM106/2640)

Unaware that the Deptford Officers had advised against taking up the Scarborough, Richards had written to the East India Company, advising that she had been taken up by government to proceed to New South Wales and offering her on the same conditions of freight as the Company had hitherto paid.

– Richards’ letter was considered by the EIC Court of Directors and referred to the Joint Committee of Shipping and Warehouses to examine and report.

- The same day, Richards had also tendered shipping from 400 to 600 tons to bring raw sugars from India at £11 per ton. (Minutes of the Court of Directors, 11 January 1792, IOR B/114/773)

It is probable that the Board spoke to Richards, and that he challenged the report of these officers.

12 January 1792 – The Navy Board wrote back to the Deptford Officers, pressing them:

We send enclosed their report of 16 October 1786 with that of the 10th inst. and direct them to inform us of your reasons for the difference of the two reports. (ADM106/2640)

There is no precedent for the Navy Board producing historical records in such a timeframe, and it is probable that they obtained the earlier report from William Richards, who had been the contractor in 1786.

The Deptford Officers responded the following day, advising the Navy Board that the Scarborough was much older than when she was commissioned in 1786, the bottom having been sheathed and fitted a long while. It would be necessary to take it off and cut out some pieces to conduct a minute inspection of the bottom and the frame. If she was found in a proper state and the owner were to shift the upper deck, she might be reported favourably. The report in 1786 was wrong and the measurements between decks should have been 5’4”, 5’7” and 5’5”, ‘which we deemed (being only 4’4” under the beams) too confined for the comfortable accommodation of families going abroad as settlers’. If they wished them to proceed with a survey of a ship in so doubtful a state, they should signify the same. (13 January 1792, ADM106/3408/282)

(The Scarborough had also been taken up in 1790, and this might have been a more telling comparison. However, Richards would have had no details to hand of this voyage.)

13 January 1792 – Treasury read the Navy Board’s letter of 11 January concerning the tender. They resolved to write to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the East India Company asking whether they had any objection to complying with the terms proposed by Mr Macaulay. (T29/64/158-159)

25 January 1792 – Richards had written to the East India Company again, tendering any quantity of shipping to bring home sugar at £10 per ton, a letter that was also referred to the Committee of Shipping. (Minutes of the Court of Directors, 25 January 1792, IOR B/114/838-839)

27 January 1792 – Long to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the East India Company, reporting that an offer had been made by Mr G.M. Macaulay of a ship of 400 to 500 tons, to be ready in a month, at 40/- a ton, on condition that the said ship could have permission to proceed from NSW to India to load home at his option, cotton or sugar, to be sold at the sale of the East India Company, subject to the payment of all duties and the usual charges. If this was agreed to, the freight of the vessel would not amount to one half of the next lowest tender. The Treasury wished to know whether the Court of Directors had any objection. (T27/42/195)

1 February 1792 – Still unaware that the Navy Board had rejected the Scarborough, the Company offered Richards a contract, albeit on demanding terms. They resolved that the Scarborough be taken up to bring home sugar, saltpetre or any other goods that the Government of Bengal might think proper to lade to the extent of her chartered tonnage, at a freight of £10 per ton, provided she should arrive in the Bengal River on or before 30 January 1793.

The Company would not be obliged to lade any goods until the ship was reported by the Master Attendant or other proper officer to be in a fit condition to receive a cargo for Europe.

If the Company did not lade and dispatch the ship within two months of her being reported fit to receive a cargo, a demurrage would be allowed per diem (the amount was not filled in).

They also resolved that the Company should be at liberty to lade any further quantity of goods the ship may be able to carry beyond her chartered tonnage on half freight, the owners to be answerable for one half of her freight and earnings for any damage that should accrue to the cargo while on ship board. The ship would be manned at her sailing from Bengal with eight men and one boy per 100 tons for which the ship was chartered.

Freight on weighable goods would be paid on the net weight delivered into the Company’s warehouses and if the ship should not arrive in the Bengal River on or before the 30th of January 1793, no part of the above was to be considered binding on the part of the Company. (Minutes of the Court of Directors, 1 February 1792, IOR B/114/869)

Richards had not given up, and had been offering other ships in the place of the Scarborough. However, the Board appeared to have changed its mind.

2 February 1792 - There is a Minute of the Navy Board of this date which reports a letter sent to Mr Richards:

The Board have no occasion for the Scarborough or either of the other ships and therefore decline having anything to do with them. (2 February 1792, ADM106/2640)

9 February 1792 – The EIC Secretary, Mr (Thomas) Morton wrote to the Navy Board inquiring whether the Board had hired the Scarborough to proceed to Botany Bay. He was told that the Navy Board had not taken up the ship – she had been surveyed and found not to be a proper ship. (ADM106/2640)

10 February 1792 – Long to Navy Board, transmitting Morton’s letter on the subject of the offer made by Mr Macaulay. (The letter does not say what his answer was.) (T27/42/215)

14 February 1792 – The Board wrote to Mr Macaulay advising that they had sent to the Treasury a copy of his letter offering a ship to carry certain provisions to NSW on the conditions therein mentioned and the Treasury had sent a copy of the response they had received from Mr Morton, informing them that they will be ready to engage with the owners of any ship that the government may take up to freight home tea from China, but they could not think of permitting any individuals to proceed to India for the purpose of taking on board cargoes on their own account. (ADM106/2640)

15 February 1792 – The Court of Directors considered a letter from Richards signifying the Scarborough was ready for inspection by the Company’s officers. (Minutes of the Court of Directors, 15 February 1792, IOR/B/114/917) Since the Company was known to have more demanding standards than the Navy Board, this strongly suggests that Richards believed something untoward had happened in the surveying process.

16 February 1792 – Something must have been said to Richards, since he wrote back to the Company, complaining at the conduct of the Navy Board in this matter, and asking the Court of Directors to permit the owners to execute the charterparty. The Court declined to do so and a draft response to Richards was read and approved by the Directors. (Minutes of the Court of Directors, 16 February 1792, IOR B/114/930)

16-29 February – He then lodged a complaint with the Treasury by way of a Memorial.

29 February 1792 – The Court of Directors considered a further letter from Richards, advising them of the protest and that the owners of the Scarborough were still awaiting the outcome. He requested that the Court consider the former application in case they engaged any more shipping. (Minutes of the Court of Directors, 29 February 1792, IOR B/114/962-3)

[Given the change of Master, she may well have been sold by the Hoppers at this time, with the change of ownership only registered later.]

Transport Service

6 August 1792 – She was surveyed for the Transport Service. She had been repaired and refitted since her last voyage. Michael Hodgson, Captain. 418 tons. 9 years old. 5’2”, 5’4” between decks. Built at Scarborough. She appears to have been taken into pay on this date. (ADM106/3408/362-3)

10 August 1792 – Navigation Licence. No.2723. 411 tons. 2 guns. Michael Hodgson. 16/5 crew. To West Indies. (ADM7/110)

22 August 1792 – Stephens to Nepean concerning the Pitt and the Scarborough, which would be ready to sail from Deptford tomorrow. The Agent had been ordered to proceed with them to Jersey and Guernsey to embark the 34th Regiment and convey them to Cork. (HO28/8/289)

5 July 1793 – The Scarborough, 418 tons, was included in a list of naval transports. She had apparently been taken into service on 6 August 1792. (HO42/26/42)

20 July 1793 – The Scarborough and the Helmsley arrived at Hull under the supervision of Lieutenant Harrison and under convoy of the Success, to transport troops of the 42nd Regiment to Portsmouth. (HO28/11/150, 152) [Not clear this is the same ship.]

12 August 1793 – Navigation Licence. No.3996. 411 tons. 2 guns. Michael Hodgson. 25 British crew. To Gibraltar. (ADM7/112)

May 1795 – She was taken into the Transport Service. Ordered to the West Indies.

16 May 1795 – Registered. No.97/1795. Owners: Samuel Wharton of Prescott Street, merchant; Michael Hodgson of St Georges East, mariner. Master: Michael Hodgson. Built at Scarborough in 1782. 2 decks, 3 masts. 111’6” x 30’ x 4.5”. 429 tons. Square sterned ship with quarter and forecastle decks. Pierced for 22 guns. No gallery. No figurehead. (BT107/10)

13 July 1795 – William Goudy endorsed as Master. (BT107/10, 16.5.95)

October 1796 – Returned from the West Indies and discharged from the service.

November 1796 – Taken into New Crane Dock, stripped of her sheathing and examined from keel to gunwale and completely overhauled and refitted. (ADM108/48/233)

10 December 1796 – Again taken into the Transport Service (see below.)

20 December 1796 – George Friar endorsed as Master. (BT107/10, 16.5.95)

16 January 1797 – Navigation Licence. No.8146. 429 tons, 6 guns. At South(amp)ton. George Friar. 24/7 crew. To Lisbon. (ADM7/114)

She sailed to Lisbon with horses and their riders.

4 April 1797 – She returned to Portsmouth (see below).

28 April – Sailed to Jersey to collect the Northumberland Fencibles to take them to Dublin. She then sailed to Cork.

August 1797 – Captain Parry (Cork) concerning the removal of French prisoners of war to Spithead. Lieutenant Pemberton reported ‘the discovery of the Scarborough being leaky, but not from defect in her bottom; - that her wooden ends are rotten, her stem broke, and her stomach piece quite decayed – says that he attended with her Master and carpenter, and saw a caulking iron, by a slight stroke, driven up to the top in her bows – that on reproaching the carpenter for not making these defects known sooner, he answered that the owner was told of them last November when the ship was docked – concludes that this ship is unfit to go the voyage. . .’ There were no other vessels and it was proposed to use her for at least some of the prisoners. (ADM108/48/221)

Admiral Kingsmill had written complaining of her condition and charging the surveyors of that vessel with negligence in their duty or of not having the good of the service at heart. Captain Rains and Mr Boyce were provided with copies of this correspondence and they were directed to prepare a full report. (ADM108/48/224 & 225)

26 August – Captain Rains (Agent) and Mr Boyce (shipwright officer at Deptford) reported. She was taken into service in May 1795 and ordered to the West Indies. She returned in the latter part of 1796, discharged and then taken up on the old charter to convey horses to Lisbon, which duty she performed well. The fact that she was selected for the Halifax service out of so many vessels, was an argument against her being as bad as represented. They spoke with confidence of her fitness. She was constructed at Scarborough in 1782 and had repaired and refitted five times since.

She was said to have been damaged by being on shore in Dublin Harbour. And that if her defects were not attributable to that cause, they were willing to leave it to the decision of any impartial person. They rejected the charge of neglect of duty. The failure of this ship was quite contrary to their expectations, as she is not old and has had considerable repairs and stands E1 in the underwriter’s book. A copy of this report was sent to the Admiralty. (ADM1/3734; ADM108/48/233)

- Transport Board to Evan Nepean, in response to his letter of the 22nd with its enclosures relative to the defective state of the Scarborough which sailed under convoy of Captain Pater of HMS Porcupine from Cork, they enclosed the letter from Rains and Boyce in consequence of a direction from them to make a full report on the complaint which had been made through Admiral Kingsmill. Nepean simply forwarded it to Kingsmill. (ADM1/3734)

[On this dispute over yellow fever on board the Scarborough in 1797, see HO30/1/21ff]

October 1797 – It appears that a survey had confirmed her unfit to sail to Halifax. (ADM108/49/370)

16 October 1797 – Transport Board to William Huskisson in response to his letter of the 14th. The Scarborough was taken into service on 25 May 1795 and soon after proceeded to the West Indies and returned to Deptford in October 1796 when she was discharged. Her owners having completely refitted her for service at Crane Dock in the River, she was again taken up on 10 December 1796 for the purpose of conveying horses and their riders to Lisbon. She made the voyage without complaint and returned to Portsmouth on 4 April 1797. The service for Halifax then occurring, she was appropriated for that service with three other ships under Lieutenant Pemberton. She sailed on the 28th of April for Jersey, where she received a detachment of the Northumberland Fencibles for Dublin and having landed them, proceeded to Cork. The adverse winds and heavy gales which the four ships had experienced had been extraordinary, such as to prevent this ship in particular going on a foreign voyage. So she had been ordered to England to be discharged. They rejected the claim that she had been retained in service as an infected ship following her return from the West Indies. She had been back a long time, had undergone a refit and sailed on another voyage since that time without any report of sickness or unfitness. With respect to bedding, it was an invariable rule of the office to destroy it immediately upon return from abroad. (ADM108/19, pp.98-99)

21 October 1797 – Parry (Cork) to Transport Board. He did not know the ship had been in the West Indies or that there had been yellow fever on board. But she had no bedding on board except for 30 new sets received from Kinsale for the guard. (ADM108/19, p.100)

27 October 1797 – Transport Board to Wm Huskisson – further to the claim that there had been yellow fever on the ship at Cork, they enclosed a letter from Captain Parry at that port showing how unfounded the rumours were. (ADM108/19, p.100)

May 1798 – Again being considered for Transport Service. Owners were Samuel Wharton and Michael Hodgson. (ADM108/53/122)

23 October 1798. Registered. No.274/1798. Owners: Charles Kensington and William Wiggen, City Chambers, Bishopgate Street, merchants. Master: John Scott. Built at Scarborough in 1782. 2 decks, 3 masts. 111’6” x 30’ x 4’5”. 429 tons. Square sterned ship with quarter and forecastle decks. Pierced for 22 guns. No gallery. No figurehead. (BT107/10)

18 December 1799 – Thomas Melvill endorsed as Master. (BT107/11, 23.10.98)

20 January 1800 – Registered. No.14/1800. Owners: Charles Kensington and William Wiggen, City Chambers, Bishopgate Street, merchants. Master: Thomas Melvill. Built at Scarborough in 1782. 2 decks, 3 masts. 112’6” x 30’2” x 6’4”. 428 tons. Square sterned ship with flush deck. Pierced for 20 guns. Quarter gallery. A scroll as figurehead. (BT107/13)

10 December 1800 – Letter of Marque. John Scott. 428 tons. 14 x 4 & 6 pounders. 35 men. (ADM7/328)

1802 – Sold to Charles Kensington. Captain John Scott.

10 November 1802 – Sold to foreign buyers. Registration cancelled. (BT107/13, 20.1.00)

1803 – Repurchased by original owners and used as a West Indiaman.

West India Trade

1 December 1803 – Registered. No.420/1803. Owner: Kirk Boott of Artillery Place, merchant. Master: John Scott. Built at Scarborough in 1782. 2 decks, 3 masts. 112’ x 29’9” x 6’4”. 412 tons. Square sterned ship with flush deck. Pierced for 20 guns. Quarter gallery. A scroll as figurehead. (BT107/16)

2 March 1804 – William Peacock endorsed as Master. (BT107/16, 1.12.03)

8 December 1804 – John Scott endorsed as Master. (BT107/16, 1.12.03)

22 April 1805 – The Scarborough, Scott, sailed from Port Royal, Jamaica with the last division of the homeward-bound fleet.

Late June-early July 1805 – She sprang a leak and was deserted by part of her crew. She drifted onshore near Portland where she was lost. It was feared seven of her crew had perished. (Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday 3 July 1805, p.3; Hackman, p.191)