Neptune
809 tons. 116’5”x36’2”x15’2”. The EIC accepted her measured tonnage for this voyage as 750 tons. (IOR/L/MAR/C/325)
7 February 1780 – Launched by Dudman, Deptford for Andrew Moffatt. Captain Robert Scott. (Hackman, p.161)
Contents
East Indies
2 voyages to India, 1780-82 & 1784-85. Sold to Thomas Loughnan. 2 voyages to China, 1786-87, 1788-89. The 5th voyage was to Botany Bay. (Hackman, p.161)
Second Fleet crew members, Thomas Kemp (quartermaster) and Edward Hoare (carpenter), understood (correctly) that the Neptune had done four voyages to India, and had been sold by the East India Company as unfit for further service. Hoare understood that she had been purchased by Timothy Curtis, Anthony Calvert, Thomas King and William Camden. He understood that they had bought her with rigging and stores for £1600. Kemp said she had been put into a dock, but was taken out the next day. (Kemp Examination, TS11/381, 18; Hoare Examination, TS11/381, 23)
14 May 1780 – The Neptune was among a group of East Indiamen that remained at Deal. (London Evening Post, 13-16 May 1780)
3 June 1780 – The Neptune sailed from Spithead with four other ships for Coast and Bay, and five for China. (Public Advertiser, 23 July 1781)
Her master was Robert Scott. Her husband was A. Moffatt. She was built in 1779 and was 758 tons. (London Courant and Westminster Chronicle, 24 August 1781)
8 May 1781 – The Neptune, Scott, had arrived at Bengal. (London Chronicle, 2 February 1802)
15 May 1781 – The Neptune sailed with the Belmont from Bengal, but put back, having sprung a leak. (General Advertiser and Morning Intelligencer, 8 February 1782) Fourteen and a half lacks of cargo were loaded on the Neptune. (London Chronicle, 14-16 February 1782)
Some of the circumstances of this delay were discussed in 1785. (Public Advertiser, 4 February 1785)
Mid-July 1781 – Reports in London that the Neptune, Scott had arrived at Bombay. (Lloyd’s Evening Post, 16-18 July 1781)
23 July 1781 – There was a report in English papers that the Neptune, Scot, was one of five East Indiamen captured by the French on the coast near Madras and taken into Pondicherry. They had touched at Fort St George and unloaded part of their cargo but fell in with French men of war on their way to Bengal. (Public Advertiser, 23 July 1781)
October 1782 – There was a report in the London press that the Neptune, Scott, had been taken soon after she sailed on the way home by the fleet of the French privateer, Suffrein. (St James’s Chronicle or the British Evening Post, 22-24 & 24-26 October 1782)
Another report said that the Grantham had been taken with the letters that the Neptune had been carrying. The Neptune had put back with a leak. (Morning Chronicle & London Advertiser, 24 October 1782)
April 1783 – Reports published in the London press that the Neptune, Scott, and the Royal Admiral, Huddart, from Bombay, had arrived safe at St Helena. (General Evening Post, 5-8 April 1783)
June 1783 – Reports in the London press that the Neptune, Scott, and the Royal Admiral, Huddart, from Bombay, had arrived at St Helena. General Goddard and Colonel Baillie had come as passengers on the Neptune. (London Chronicle, 28 June to 1 July 1783)
Early July 1783 – The Neptune had been spoke in the Channel by a fishing boat. She had sailed from St Helena in company with the Tartar, the Lord Mulgrave, the Rochford, the Deptford and the Royal Admiral. (London Chronicle, 1-3 July 1783)
c.21 July 1783 – The Neptune and the Royal Admiral from Bombay had arrived off Folkestone. (London Packet or New Lloyd’s Evening Post, 21-23 July 1783)
8 August 1783 – The purser of the Neptune, Scott, went to East India House, with the news that the ship had arrived safe off the Start. A number of passengers landed with him. (London Chronicle, 7-9 August 1783; Whitehall Evening Post, 12-14 August 1783)
9 August 1783 – The Neptune, Scott, arrived at Deal and sailed for the River. (London Chronicle, 9-12 August 1783)
14 August 1783 – The Neptune, Scott, passed by Gravesend. (Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser, 15 August 1783)
September 1783 – The Neptune, Scott, was one of the ships taken up by the East India Company for Bombay. (Public Advertiser, 24 September 1783)
15 November 1783 – The Neptune was listed among the ships taken up by the East India Company, to sail before Christmas. 760 tons. Master: Robert Scott. Husband: J. Hyndman. (London Chronicle, 15-18 November 1783)
19 March 1783 – The Neptune and the Royal Admiral sailed from Gravesend. (Whitehall Evening Post, 20-23 March 1784)
25 March 1784 – The Neptune remained in the Downs for the East Indies. (London Chronicle, 25-27 March 1784)
27 June 1784 – The Neptune, Scott, was spoke westward of the Cape. (London Chronicle, 25-28 September 1784)
16 April 1785 – News arrived in London of the safe arrival at Bombay of the Neptune and Royal Admiral. (Daily Universal Register, 16 April 1785)
5 September 1785 – The Neptune, Scott, from Bombay, passed by Portsmouth and sent several passengers on shore. (Whitehall Evening Post, 3-6 September 1785)
6 September 1785 – The Neptune arrived at Deal and sailed for the River. (St James’s Chronicle or the British Evening Post, 6-8 September 1785)
9 September 1785 – The East India Company took up the ships for the next season, including the Neptune, George Scott. For St Helena and China. (London Chronicle, 8-10 September & 1-3 November 1785)
12 September 1785 – The Neptune, Scott, was arrived in the River. (Public Advertiser, 12 September 1785)
14 February 1786 – Navigation Licence. No.2336. 758 tons. No guns. George Scott. Crew numbers not provided. To East Indies. (ADM7/104)
Couldn’t see it in the Lloyd’s Register of 1786.
9 March 1786 – The Neptune, Scott, sailed from the Gravesend. (Public Advertiser, 11 March 1786)
August 1786 – The Neptune had cleared the Straits of Sunda. (General Evening Post, 13-15 February 1787)
15 January 1787 – The Neptune was supposedly dispatched from China. (St James’s Chronicle or the British Evening Post, 19-21 June 1787)
30 April 1787 – The Neptune arrived at St Helena. (Public Advertiser, 26 June 1787)
5 July 1787 – The Neptune, Scott, arrived at Deal and sailed for the River. (London Chronicle, 5-7 July 1787)
7 August 1787 – The Neptune was on the list of ships to be taken up for the next season, not having undertaken four voyages. (World and Fashionable Advertiser, 7 August 1787)
29 February 1788 – Registered. No.95 of 1788. Owners: William Todd of Dean St., Soho, merchant; James Dewar of Clapham in Surry, Gent; Thomas Loughnan of Russell Street, Bloomsbury, merchant; sub’g owners with James Kew of Manchester Square, spinster; John Kengsington of Lombard St., banker; executors of John Wilkinson, deceased, late of Lombard Street, banker; Mary Oswald of George St., Westminster, widow, John & Alexander Anderson, of Philpot Lane, merchants and Charleton Palmer of that same place, all executors of the late Richard Oswald of Philpot Lane, merchant; Jacob Franco of Wallbrook; Francis Franco & Elias Lindo Jr of the Minories, merchants, executors to the late Raphael Franco of America Square, merchant; Samuel Pole of Bedford Square & Robert Scott of Wimpole St., Cavendish Square, Gents; John Pringle of Haining in North Britain, Gent; William Moffatt of Queens Square, merchant and James Moffatt of Charlotte Street, Rathbone Place, Gent; and the above Thomas Loughnan as trustee to John Pringle and Thomas Cheap, late of Queen St., Cheapside, merchants; and John Scott of Bengal in the East Indies, Gent. Master: George Scott. Built in the River Thames in 1780. 3 decks, 3 masts. 156’3” x 36’ x 5’8”. 799 tons. Square sterned ship with a round house and pierced for 36 guns. Stern and quarter gallery. Figurehead of a man. (BT107/8)
5 March 1788 – Navigation Licence. No.5575. 799 tons, 26 guns. George Scott. 75/25. To the East Indies. (ADM7/106)
29 March 1788 – The Neptune, Scott, was yet to sail for China. (General Evening Post, 27-29 March 1788)
15 April 1788 – The Neptune, Scott finally sailed from the Downs. (World, 17 April 1788)
5 October 1788 – The Neptune arrived at China. The three First Fleet ships were there at the same time. (Diary or Woodfall’s Register, 2 April 1789)
14 January 1789 – She left Canton for Europe. (London Chronicle, 20-23 June 1789)
7 May 1789 – The Neptune arrived at St Helena. (General Evening Post, 9-11 July 1789)
9-11 July 1789 – Report in London that the Neptune, Scott, and the Prince of Wales Colnett had arrived at St Helena. (St James’s Chronicle or the British Evening Post, 9-11 July 1789)
11 July 1789 – The Neptune, Scott, was off Deal. (Public Advertiser, 13 July 1789)
13 July 1789 – The purser of the Neptune, Scott, came to East India House with the news that the ship was anchored in the Downs. (General Evening Post, 11-14 July 1789)
16 July 1789 – An account of the cargoes of the Neptune and the Dutton. (Morning Post and Daily Advertiser, 16 July 1789)
17 July 1789 – The Neptune, Scott, passed by Gravesend. (General Evening Post, 18-21 July 1789)
There are details of the £38,184.8.1 paid for the 4th voyage by the East India Company at IOR/L/AG/1/1/26, p.301.
Botany Bay and China
1789 – Lloyds Register. 809 tons, built in the River in 1779. Owners: Calvert & Co. Master: T. Gilbert. London to S. Wales.
She must have been bought by the firm, in partnership with Timothy Curtis between the 9th and the 28th of September 1789. (The Lord North was rejected by the Navy Board on the 9th of September.)
28 September 1789 – Thomas Kemp joined the ship at Deptford on this date. (Kemp Examination, TS11/381, 18)
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. The Surprize would take the remainder but would not be ready for a fortnight. Mr Davison particularly wished all of his stores to go in the same ship. Bowen thought the Neptune should be appointed to take them. She was much the finest ship in every respect. (ADM106/243)
7 October 1789 – Edward Hoare joined the Neptune as a sailor to serve as carpenter. He said that the ship was in very bad condition, which led the seamen to conclude that the owners had no intention of taking her to China and back, but intended to sell her in India, and they frequently discussed the terms on which they would consent to be paid off when she was so sold. (Hoare Examination, TS11/381, 23)
Hoare claimed to have been told by Mr Calvert and by the mast maker at the Dock where the Neptune was repaired, that the masts had not been taken out to be examined before she proceeded on her voyage and the foremast between the decks and the kelsal was very bad. (Hoare Examination, TS11/381, 25)
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)
15 October 1789 – Navy Board directed Lieutenant Shapcote to order the Neptune to fall down to Woolwich to receive on board 35 soldiers and 127 male convicts and 80 female convicts from the Justitia hulk and then proceed to Plymouth where she was to receive on board 315 male convicts from the Dunkirk, and then to remain in readiness to join the Scarborough and Surprize on their appearance off that port. But in case the wind should be westerly when she received the convicts on board, she was to proceed to Spithead.
The Scarborough was to receive on board at Deptford 20 soldiers and 84 convicts and proceed to Portsmouth, where she would receive 176 convicts.
The Surprize was to go to Woolwich where she would receive 20 soldiers and 20 convicts from the county jails and then proceed to Portsmouth where she would receive 240 more convicts to join the Scarborough and then proceed to Plymouth to join the Neptune. They were then to proceed with all possible dispatch to ‘Port Jackson in Botany Bay’ and apply to Commodore Philips [sic] for further orders. (ADM106/2631)
- Navy Board to Bowen. That day they had directed Lieutenant Shapcote to order the Neptune to fall down to Woolwich and to receive on board 35 soldiers and 127 male convicts and 80 female convicts from the Justitia hulk and then proceed to Plymouth where she was to receive on board 315 male convicts from the Dunkirk, and then to remain in readiness to join the Scarborough and Surprize on their appearance off that port. But in case the wind should be westerly when she received the convicts on board, she was to proceed to Spithead.
The Scarborough was to receive on board at Deptford 20 soldiers and 84 convicts and proceed to Portsmouth, where she would receive 176 convicts.
The Surprize was to go to Woolwich where she would receive 20 soldiers and 20 convicts from the county jails and then proceed to Portsmouth where she would receive 240 more convicts to join the Scarborough and then proceed to Plymouth to join the Neptune. They were then to proceed with all possible dispatch to ‘Port Jackson in Botany Bay’ (ADM106/2347/131 or 260; ADM106/2631)
21 October 1789 – Registered. No.269 of 1790. Owners: Timothy Curtis of Homerton; Anthony Calvert and Thomas King of the Crescent, Minories, merchants; William Camden of the Crescent, Minories. Master: Thomas Gilbert. Built in the River Thames in 1780. 3 decks, 3 masts. 156’3” x 36’ x 5’8”. 799 tons. Square sterned ship with a round house and pierced for 36 guns. Stern and quarter gallery. Figurehead of a man. (BT107/8)
22 October 1789 – Embarked in the Neptune – 2 commissioned officers (1 Captain and 1 Lieutenant) and 40 men. (CO201/5/230 & 237)
23 October 1789 – Navigation Licence. No.8304. 799 tons, 6 guns. Thomas Gilbert. 27/9 crew. To Botany Bay. (ADM7/108)
The Argus described her as an East Indiaman. (22 October 1789, p.3; 2 December 1789, p.4)
27 October to 2 November 1789 – The Neptune relocated from Deptford to Long Reach.
2 November 1789 – 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)
14 November 1789 – The Neptune dropped down to Gravesend, where she lay until the 17th. (‘Some Early Records of the Macarthurs’, p.4)
Around 300 convicts must have been loaded by this date.
17 November 1789 – The Neptune sailed from Gravesend for the Downs. (‘Some Early Records of the Macarthurs.’, p.4; St James’s Chronicle or British Evening Post, 17-19 November 1789) (Kemp dated this to 16 November - Kemp Examination, TS11/381, 19) Lloyd’s List reported that the Neptune, Gilbert, sailed from Gravesend. (LL, 22.11.89)
19 November 1789 – The Neptune arrived at the Downs, remaining there until the afternoon of the 21st. (‘Some Early Records of the Macarthurs’, p.4)
21 November 1789 – In the afternoon, the Neptune sailed for Plymouth. (TS11/381, 1)
- Elizabeth Macarthur reported that the Neptune sailed down the Channel for Plymouth, ‘with a fair wind and at different times had in sight several vessels’. (‘Some Early Records of the Macarthurs’, p.4)
- Lloyd’s List reported the Neptune, Gilbert, sailed from the Downs. (LL, 24.11.89)
23 November 1789 – The Neptune discovered she was near Lizard Point, and not Plymouth. (‘Some Early Records of the Macarthurs, pp.4-5)
By the 24th, the Surprize should have received 20+ convicts from county gaols.
27 November 1789 – Because of unfavourable winds, it was not until the morning of this date that the Neptune could approach Plymouth Sound. (‘Some Early Records of the Macarthurs', p.5)
- The Neptune arrived at Plymouth. (ADM106/2347/135 or 268; ADM106/2631 under date of 30 November)
28 November 1789 – 280 convicts were embarked onto the Neptune from the Dunkirk:
"Came in on Thursday night last, the Neptune of London, Capt. Gilbert, with convicts for Botany Bay; and on Saturday, took on board from the Dunkirk, 280 convicts more, making the whole number to be now on board the Neptune, about 600." (Whitehall Evening Post, 1-3 December 1789)
10 December 1789 – Having taken a large number of convicts on board, the Neptune finally sailed from Plymouth and proceeded to Portsmouth. (‘Some Early Records of the Macarthurs', p.489; Beale Examination TS11/381, 2)
- Elizabeth Macarthur wrote that the Neptune left Plymouth for Portsmouth. (‘Some Early Records of the Macarthurs’, p.6)
13 December 1789 – Neptune arrived at Portsmouth to find the Scarborough and the Surprize ready for sea. Soon after their arrival there, they learned that ‘Mr Gilbert’s conduct had displeased the owners of the ship, and the truth was soon assured by a Mr Trail being appointed in his room.’ (‘Some Early Records of the Macarthurs’, pp.6-7)
- Shapcote wrote to the Navy Board with the numbers on the Neptune and advising of his intention to sail (ADM106/2631, 14 December)
14 December 1789 – The Neptune, Gilbert, arrived at Portsmouth from Plymouth. (LL, 18.12.89)
17 January 1790 – Lloyd’s List reported the three ships sailed from Portsmouth. Now there was a blank against the Master of the Neptune and the Surprize. (LL, 19.1.90)
1790 – Lloyds Register lists her as 809 tons, built and surveyed in the Thames. London to Botany Bay. Owner: Calvert. Master: T. Gilbert.
First Leg
20 January 1790 – Elizabeth Macarthur wrote that on Wednesday (this day), when they were near the Bay of Biscay, ‘the wind shifted to the south, and it began to be very tempestuous, that night and the succeeding day it blew exceeding hard, and now, for the first time, I began to be a coward. I could not be persuaded that the ship could possible long resist the violence of the sea which ran mountains high.’ (‘Some Early Records of the Macarthurs’, p.8)
In the first ‘blowing weather’ after leaving port, she appeared to leak in the bows, which Hoare considered to have been caused by her not being properly caulked. (Hoare Examination, TS11/381, 25)
The ship was loaded by the stern more than the head, so that the scuppers of the gun deck had been stopped up to prevent the water coming in. This was because the gun deck was so crowded and it frequently happened that the after scuppers were choked and filled up so as to prevent the water running out, which contributed to the dripping on the convicts. (Hoare Examination, TS11/381, 24)
Hoare blamed Trail for failing to order tarpaulins to be put onto the hatches in adequate time when they shipped heavy seas, so that the gun deck and orlop deck were drenched. (Hoare Examination, TS11/381, 24-5)
According to Trail, it was the carpenter’s duty to put the tarpaulins over the hatches. Evans had defended him, but Trail regarded him as lazy, and that it was due to his tardiness that water sometimes got down into the hatches. Trail insisted, however, that it rarely happened. (Statement of Donald Trail, ‘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, at p.334-335)
Lundy Gowan said that the rigging was so bad that parts of it were continually dropping down, and that if they had had seriously bad weather, the masts through the badness of the rigging would have been carried away. (Gowan Examination, TS11/381, 40)
Joseph Silk/Collins was appointed as captain of the foretop, and he remained in that position until he quit at China. The insufficiency of the rigging made his job extremely laborious. Before the ship arrived at China there were seven splices in the fore topsail tie – he himself had spliced it four times while at sea. The foretop gallant sheets were so rotten and bad that he had been forced to bend them again three times in his watch. Etc. (Collins Examination, TS11/381, 53)
At some point on the voyage, Richard Tonkin was ordered by Elrington to let a reef out of the foretop, and (as Tonkin told the story), because Elrington did not lower the sail a little, and because it was rotten, it tore several inches. Elrington ordered Tonkin put in irons for several hours and then flogged with the ‘cat of nine tails’. The boatswain’s mate (McDonald) refused to administer the flogging, saying that it was an unlawful cat and he’d not seen such used in the King’s service for any crime whatsoever. Trail put McDonald in irons and ordered Lundy Gowan, the boatswain, to flog him, which he did ‘with great severity’. (Tonkin Examination, TS11/381, 55)
19 February 1790 – The sea was calm enough for the Macarthurs to be transferred to the Scarborough. They were at 6 degrees north. (‘Some Early Records of the Macarthurs’, p.12)
February-March 1790 – As they approached the Equator (John Beale later said):
". . . the weather was so hot and the convicts grew so lousy that they were obliged to throw their beds and blankets overboard, and the heat began to affect them in a very serious manner and during the time the . . . ship was within a few leagues of the line on either side, the crew of the . . . ship was frequently alarmed in the night with shrieks and cries of the convicts below and on opening the hatch they declared they were smothered with heat and 40 or 50 of them were frequently hauled up through the hatchway, there not being room sufficient for any person to carry them in his arms or on his back. And when brought apparently dead upon deck and the life appeared to return to such a person and they seemed to recover by the refreshment of the air, they were carried down again, and others were brought up in their room, and [Beale] believes several of them died in the night as corpses were frequently brought up in the morning." (Beale Examination, TS11/381, 7)
Kemp reported that for many days before they crossed the Equatorial Line, the convicts began to droop, and every morning when he came on deck, "there were generally several convicts lying dead, some with their irons on and others without, irons having been separated from other convicts to whom they were chained when they died. He confirmed the statements of Beale and Elizabeth Macarthur that the convicts were crying out a great deal from their suffering and fainting". (Kemp Examination, TS11/381, 21)
Mid-April 1790 – Hoare said that shortly before they arrived at the Cape, he discovered a leak in the larboard side of the gangway of the orlop deck (where the convicts were confined), which leaked a great deal, and through which daylight might be seen when the ship was on her larboard tacks. When the weather was fine, this leak was under water. Hoare said that he had attempted on a number of occasions to repair the leak, unsuccessfully. (Hoare Examination, TS11/381, 24)
11-12 April 1790 – Kemp said that on the night before they made the Cape, they had a gale and the ship lay to for a day and two nights, during which time a great quantity of water came into the ship, over the decks, through the ports and through the seams. The convicts were soaked, but when the weather cleared, Trail took no measures to dry out the decks, except for some swabbing and mopping in the passages. (Kemp Examination, TS11/381, 22)
The Cape
13 April 1790 – They arrived at False Bay. (Shapcote to Navy Board, 16 April, Accounts and Papers, p.326; Hill to Wathen, quoting Hill to Wilberforce, 26 July 1790, CO201/5/281-283; HRNSW 1:2, 366; Nash, 121)
14 April 1790 – Lloyds List and the Edinburgh Advertiser would later report the three ships arriving at the Cape on this date. ‘All well.’ (LL, 3.8.90; 'Some Early Records of the Macarthurs', 3 September 1790, p.6)
21 April 1790 – The three ships were watered and ready for sea. (Shapcote to Navy Board, HRNSW 1:2, 334)
26 April 1790 – The beef and pork from the Guardian arrived. At 6pm, the sick convict from the Guardian arrived and Riou formally delivered him into Shapcote’s hands. (M.D. Nash (ed.), The Last Voyage of the Guardian, Lieutenant Riou, Commander, 1789-1791, Cape Town: Van Riebeeck Society, 1990, p.188)
27 April 1790 – Loading the beef and pork from the Guardian. (Nash, p.188)
29 April 1790 – 9am: The three ships sailed from False Bay. (Nash, pp.125, 189)
Second Leg
They encountered cold and stormy weather on the final leg.
Port Jackson
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, CO201/5/200)
29 June 1790 – Landed in Sydney Cove. (Phillip to Navy Board, 6 August 1790, Accounts and Papers, p.327)
19 August 1790 – She was discharged from government service. (Phillip to Nepean, 22 August 1790, CO201/5/202a)
NSW to China
24 August 1790 – The Neptune sailed for China and England (John Easty, 'Memorandum of the Transactions of a Voyage from England to Botany Bay, 1787-1793', Sydney: Angus and Robertson, 1965, p.118)
Her route is unknown.
China
2 November 1790 – The Neptune arrived in Macau Roads. (The King v Donald Trail and William Elrington, Brief for Prosecution for the Murder of Andrew Anderson, n.d., T11/381)
7 November 1790 – The Neptune anchored at Whampoa. (IOR G/12/98, p.81; 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)
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)
Around 30 of the men left the ship in China. (Trial of Donald Trail and William Elrington, 8 June 1792, HCA1/61/174)
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)
15 November 1790 – John Holmes joined the Neptune in China as a mariner. About two days after the ship dropped down to the second bar, the crew were put on scant rations. (Holmes Examination, TS11/381, 42)
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 – ‘Measurage’ of the Neptune.
Long – 84.6 Broad – 27.2 Measurage – Taels 1713, 874 Present – Taels 1950,000
Security provided by Pinqua. (IOR G/12/99, p.24)
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.
6 December 1790 – Supercargoes consultations:
"Mr Pigou having reported to the committee that Munqua’s Bohia packed this day for the Neptune was very inferior, we made a reduction of one Tale per pecul." (IOR G/12/98, p.98)
7 December 1790 – 200 chests of Bohea packed at Munqua’s for the Neptune – the first mention of tea for the Neptune. (IOR G/12/99, p.39)
8 December 1790 – Consultation of the committee of supercargoes:
"Captain Trail informed the Committee that if we would give him about 100 chests of Bohea tea more than the proportion allotted him, he would dispense with taking Chinaware. He was induced to make the application as he has a sufficient quantity of plank to floor his ship, and likewise was so very crank that she was in danger of oversetting.
"From the uncertainty of when the Chinaware would arrived from the country, we agreed to give him 300 chests of Bohea tea and to send on board 200 chests tomorrow." (IOR G/12/98, p.99)
21 December 1790 – No shipping off this day due to a great festival with the Chinese. (IOR G/12/98, p.109)
January 1791 – John Hunter joined the Neptune as a seaman. (Hunter Examination, T11/381, 59)
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)
26 January 1791 – The Committee of supercargoes received the following unsigned letter from Donald Trail, dated the 25th:
"Since my arrival here a number of my seamen has deserted and are now on board the Honorable Company’s ships. I have undoubted proof of seven being on board the Royal Admiral and near nineteen on board the Marquis of Lansdown & three on board the Triton.
"I have therefore to request that you in your wisdom will take such measures as may restore to me my men, or at least to prevent these ships from carrying them away. If not I must be under the necessity of protesting against you and the commanders of the aforesaid ships, which protest and this application will I trust prove hereafter a sufficient vindication if I am reduced to the necessity of going away short of my complement of men.
"In consequence of this, Captains Agnew, Bond and Tolme were asked to cause strict search to be made in their ships, and if any men were found to deliver them up." (IOR G/12/98, p.133)
The same day, Captain Tolme wrote to the supercargoes. He had lost by death and desertion on board the Marquis of Lansdown since he left England, several men, and in order to make up his complement, he shipped 13 men ‘who have been going to and fro about the fleet’. On Saturday next he would muster the ship’s company publicly, when any officers who chose to attend could claim their men if found on board, ‘on showing a proper title’. (IOR G/12/98, p.134)
The Marquis of Lansdown had had a number of deaths among the ship’s company whilst at Whampoa, so there was reason to suspect that she was taking deserters.
Mr Robinson of the Royal Charlotte had come on board on 5 January in search of a seaman they had lost. On the 26th, two of the supercargoes came on board to inspect the state of the ship. On the 28th, Captain Marshall of the Scarborough came on board to inspect the mustered ship’s company.
29 January 1791 – The Marquis of Lansdown mustered the ship’s company once again for the inspection of the 2nd Officer of the Neptune and again for the 4th officer of the Bellmont. (Log of the Marquis of Lansdown, IOR L/MAR/B/373B)
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. (IOR G/12/98, p.152)
18 February 1791 – No shipping due to a Chinese festival. (IOR G/12/98, p.154)
20 February 1791 – Last day of private trade for the Neptune. (IOR G/12/98, p.152)
26 February 1791 – The Surprize, Scarborough, Lady Juliana and Neptune were loaded. (IOR G/12/98, p.161)
Captain Trail made application by letter for permission to receive on board the Neptune, Mrs Trail & a female European servant, also Joaquim Pedro Rebo of Macao, and carry them passengers to England.
His request was granted by the Committee. (IOR G/12/98, p.161)
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)
The Neptune was the largest of the Second Fleet ships and carried more tea than any other EIC ships in her convoy. The closest was the Earl of Abergavenny, with 8,914 peculs of black tea. She carried:
60 chests of Chinaware 10,413 peculs of black teas 737 peculs of green teas.
The cargo was worth Tales 141,071,685. Of the teas:
Bohea – 1918,97 peculs Best Bohea – 5355,07 peculs Congo – 963 peculs, Hyson skins – 111,76 peculs Singlo – 458,13 peculs. (IOR G/12/99, pp.153 & 160-161)
The Neptune would be paid for 750 measured tons at £10 per ton and 200 surplus tons at £5 per ton. (IOR L/MAR/C/325)
1791 – Lloyds Register lists her as a ship of 809 tons. Built in the River in 1779. Sheathed. Owners: Calvert & Co. Master: T. Gilbert. Crew of 21. London to Botany Bay.
On 22 February 1791, the Greenwich Hospital tax paid for the outward voyage of the Neptune, Donald Trail. 800 tons, 48 men. Reported as a new ship. (ADM68/206)
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, Log of the Surprize, IOR L/MAR/B/447B & C)
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)
5 April 1791 – Abergavenny took the Neptune 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: The Surprize reported the last sight of Neptune and Scarborough. (Anstis)
8 June 1791 – George Patten, one of the seamen, who had been sick for some time, called in William Gray and declared his desire that all his wearing apparel and other property on the ship go to John Beal, one of the quartermasters. (Commissary Court of London, Register of Wills 1787-1791, Ms9171/88, London Metropolitan Archives)
10 June 1791 – George Patten died at 7am. (As above)
26 June 1791 – The Neptune and the Lady Juliana arrived at False Bay and met the Gorgon on her way out. Captain Parker met Captain Trail on this day. (John Gardner, ‘Voyage of the Gorgon to Australia, Captain John Parker, Written by the Second in Command, 1st Lt. John Gardiner’, 15 March 1791 to March 1792, SLNSW DLMS 1 (Gorgon Journal); Mrs Parker journal and Parker letter of 27 July 1791 in HO35/11)
30 June 1791 – King (on the Gorgon at False Bay) to Trail, requesting him to allow King to open the dispatches he was carrying from Phillip, and to select those which he thought were appropriate to transmit by a Dutch East India Company packet boat that was about to sail. (He opened the dispatches in the presence of Captain Parker, and took five letters and forwarded them thus.) (CO201/6/306-306a, 312)
3 July 1791 – Philip Gidley King from the Cape to Nepean:
The Neptune and Lady Juliana from New Sth Walesby way of China, and the Active Transport from England, bound to Port Jackson, anchored in False Bay on the 26th ultimo. The Neptune’s Departure from Port Jackson being later than any other Ship, and. . . it is more than probable she will be detained at the Cape of Good Hope for some weeks, as she is in a bad state and wants many repairs. . . (King to Nepean, 3 July 1791, King Letterbook, State Library of NSW C187, p.65; and in HRNSW 1:2, p.493)
4 July 1791 – A convict from the Gorgon tried to escape using the boat of the Neptune. (Gorgon journal)
13 July 1791 – Four seamen from the Gorgon were invalided home – John Hutcheson, Adam Isaacs, Robert Holmes, John Searsfield and John Keen. (Gorgon Journal; Hutcheson and Isaacs Examination, T11/381, 58-9)
19 July 1791 – 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)
23 July 1791 – The Neptune sailed from the Cape. (London Chronicle, 25-27 October 1791)
She touched at St Helena. (Beale Examination, TS11/381, 11)
14 August 1791 – The Neptune and the Lady Juliana sailed from St Helena. (Lloyd’s Evening Post, 24-26 October 1791)
26 October 1791 – Afraid of being arrested for murder, the Captain, Donald Trail and the First Mate, William Elrington, quit the ship and went on board a fishing smack which they had hired that morning, apparently heading for Ostend. Beale said that they crew stood on deck and called after them, saying, ‘There go the bloody murdering buggers’. They never joined the ship again. (Beale Examination, TS11/381, 12)
27 October 1791 – Deal. Passed by the Neptune, Trail from China. (Public Advertiser, 29 October 1791)
28 October 1791 – The Neptune, Trail, arrived at Gravesend. (LL, 28.10.91)
– Greenwich Hospital tax paid for the homeward voyage of the Neptune, Donald Trail. 800 tons, 65 men. Reported as a new ship. (ADM68/206)
Later History
There is a note on the ship register in a later hand which reads:
"Cancelled Regd de Novo. Ship Broken Up." (BT107/8, No.269 of 1790)
1792 – Lloyds Register. Ship of 809 tons. Built in the River in 1779. Sheathed. Owners: Calvert & Co. Master: T. Gilbert. Crew of 21. London to Botany Bay.
1793 – Lloyds Register as for 1792.
1794 – Lloyds Register as for 1792
Given the public controversy surrounding her condition, it is possible that she was broken up soon after her return.
However, there are a few possible ships that might account for further voyages. There were numerous ships with this name.
Neptune, Martin, to Dominica and Jamaica
24 January 1792 – Neptune, Martin, sailed from Gravesend for Dominica and Jamaica. (Lloyds List, 27 January 1792)
28 January 1792 – The Neptune, Martin, remained at Deal for Madeira. (Public Advertiser, 30 January 1792)
31 January 1792 – The Neptune, Martin, was at Dover for Madeira. (Lloyds List, 31 January 1792)
2 August 1792 – The Neptune of London was still at anchor at Dominica. (Morning Chronicle, 14 September 1792)
10 November 1792 – The Neptune, Martin, from St Eustatia, was off the Isle of Wight. (Lloyds List, 13 November 1792)
26 November 1792 – The Neptune, Martin, was at Amsterdam with damage. (Public Advertiser, 28 November 1792)
22 February 1793 – The Neptune, Martin, passed by Gravesend from Amsterdam. (Lloyds Evening Post, 22-22 February 1793)
It is possible that this was Thomas Morton. He had been described as ‘Martin’ in the newspaper reports of the voyage of the Surprize, which sailed for Ostend in December 1791 and struck the pier. Calvert may have immediately given him charge of the Neptune in her place.
Neptune, Wilson
Another possibility thereafter is the Neptune, Wilson, taken by a French privateer on her way back from Dominica and retaken by two English vessels on 7 July 1793. (Morning Herald, 20 July 1793) No other ships named the Neptune have been found with captains bearing the names of Calvert’s masters.
Lost at the Cape
According to Hackman, on 6 March 1796, this is the same ship which sailed from Portsmouth to India to be used in coastal trade. Destroyed by fire & explosion at Cape Town. (Hackman, p.162) He does not explain why he believes that this is the same vessel.
If so, then this is yet another Camden, Calvert & King ship which was taken up under the contracts organised by Robert Charnock for David Scott. The 1796 Neptune was contracted by government to carry troops for the British invasion of the Cape and she was meant to proceed on to India on account of the East India Company, but was destroyed at the Cape. However, at present we have a gap between her return from China in October 1791 and her being taken up by the government to carry troops, and Hackman does make mistakes.
3 March 1796 – Correspondence from Portsmouth:
His Majesty’s ships Sceptre, of 64 guns, Captain Essington, and Crescent frigate, are ordered immediately for the Cape of Good Hope. Troops are embarking on board the following transports to sail with them, viz. Constantia, Highland Lass, Orpheus, Latona, Echo, Earl of Wycombe, Friendship, Neptune, Queen. The 78th regiment of foot, and a detachment of the Royal Artillery, embarked this day.
Captain Burdon goes out Agent for those transports; his pendant is on board the Friendship. (Evening Mail, 4-7 March 1796)
6 March 1796 – The convoy of seven transports under the Sceptre and the Crescent sailed from Portsmouth. (General Evening Post & Whitehall Evening Post, 5-8 March 1796)
These ships were carrying the troops that were employed in the capture of the Cape of Good Hope from the Dutch in August and September of 1796.
There is no mention of the loss of the Neptune in government correspondence from the Cape, but she is mentioned in correspondence from the naval commander to the East India Company.
20 August 1796 – Admiral Pringle to the Court of Directors. He referred to the further delay of the corn ships due to the capture of an entire Dutch fleet. One of the ships delayed was the Neptune ‘which I am sorry to say was burnt in this road on the night of the 14th inst, the particulars of which with the examination I took of the crew shall be sent to you by the first opportunity. . .’ (IOR/G/9/6, p.45)
1 September 1796 – Admiral Pringle to William Ramsay the Secretary to the Company, transmitting an examination of the Chief Mate, petty officers and crew of the Neptune, destroyed by fire on the night of the 14th August whilst laying at anchor in the Bay. (IOR/G/9/6, p.49)
Early November 1796 – Report in London papers:
The Neptune (a transport) is blown up at the Cape of Good Hope, and totally lost. (Evening Mail, 4-7 November 1796)
Other Possibilities
A ship by the name of the Neptune, owned by Mr Edward Watts, was captured in 1796. (ADM108/41/632) [This would seem to suggest that the ship lost at the Cape was not the one used in the Second Fleet.]
A ship by the name of the Neptune (owned by John Burstall and captained by John Green) was in the Transport Service in 1797 (or thereabouts) and taken as a prize. (ADM108/50/58)
