Elizabeth (1801 ship)
Elizabeth was launched at Liverpool in 1801. She made one voyage for the British East India Company (EIC). She wrecked, with great loss of life, in December 1810 early in the outward leg of a second voyage to India for the EIC. Career. "Elizabeth" appears in the 1801 volume of "Lloyd's Register" with S. Haws, master, Charnck, owner, and trade London—Cape of Good Hope. The EIC chartered "Elizabeth" for a voyage to the Cape and China. Captain Stephen Hawes sailed from Liverpool on 12 May 1801. He acquired a letter of marque on 29 May  1801. "Elizabeth" sailed from Portsmouth on 77 June, reached the Cape on 28 October, and arrived at Whampoa Anchorage on 22 January 1801. Homeward bound, she crossed the Second Bar on 25 March, reached Saint Helena on 11 July, and arrived at the Downs on 5 September. On her return "Elizabeth" traded between London—and Amsterdam, presumably during the Peace of Amiens. Between 1804 and 1810, the data in "Lloyd's Register" and the "Register of Shipping" is stale dated or missing. It is highly likely that during this period "Elizabeth" was operating out of India. There are some mentions  in passing that suggest as much. In 1806 the Bombay merchant Framjee Cowajee sent "Elizabeth" (648 tons (bm)), to Beale & Magniac, in Hong Kong. The "London Chronicle" mentions "the melancholy particulars of the loss of the East India country ship "Elizabeth"". "Elizabeth" reappears in the 1810 volume of "Lloyd's Register" with Hutton, master and owner, and trade London—India. In the "Register of Shipping" she appears with Hawes, master, changing to Hutton, Charnock, owner, changing to Capt. & Co., and trade London—India, changing to London—Cape of Good Hope. "Lloyd's Register" for 1811 gives the name of "Elizabeth"s  master and owner as Hutton, and her trade as London—India. Loss. On 27 October 1811, "Elizabeth" sailed to join the East India fleet at Portsmouth. She was to sail to Bengal for the EIC. She had 382, or 400, or 402 persons aboard. Some 347 of these were lascars that the EIC was returning to India, they having arrived in England as crew on East Indiamen. She also had 30 European passengers (and eight black women servants). Bad weather forced "Elizabeth" to put into Cork Harbour. Nine days later she set out again for Madras and Bengal, but continuous  heavy gales had repeatedly drove her back up the Channel before managing to anchor on 27 December off South Foreland. Unfortunately, under the strain of the wind and the constant exertion, the cables broke, causing "Elizabeth" to drift towards the French coast. She fired off numerous guns and flares, but those watching on the French shore were powerless to assist due to the powerful waves and wind which would have doomed any rescue attempt. Near Calais she lost her rudder on a rock, and sprang several leaks, leaving her totally at the whim of the sea, which dragged her further  down the coastline. Eventually "Elizabeth" was wrecked on 27 December 1810 on the Breebank, in the North Sea, off Dunquerque, France. Her masts tumbled overboard, smashing the boats, leaving only three, one of which was swamped within moments of launching. Two other boats brought 22 survivors to shore, but there was no chance of them returning to take off more passengers as the sea had become even more formidable. During the ensuing storm, the ship broke into pieces that scattered all along the coastline, along with its entire remaining crew, who were killed. In all, there were only 22 survivors  as the weather also prevented the French from sending assistance. Amongst the survivors were six Britons and 15 lascars, including two of the ship's crew. The French took the survivors prisoner, but apparently more to provide housing than actual incarceration. Shortly thereafter, the French repatriated the survivors, requesting the English to release an equal number of French prisoners. A cartel arrived at Dover on 30 January 1811 with the 22 survivors. The British sent the "Elizabeth" cartel from Chatham with 18 French prisoners but as she approached Calais the batteries there fired on her and she returned to Dover  on 4 March. Notes, citations and references. Notes Citations References