Iris (1803 ship)
Iris was launched in France in 1794 and came into British hands in 1803, probably by purchase. She became a whaler in the British southern whale fishery. In 1805 she made an unsuccessful attack on a Batavian vessel. "Iris" was condemned as unseaworthy in late 1805 on her way home after her first voyage as a whaler. Career. Captain William Clark received a letter of marque on 23 May 1803. "Iris" appears in the "Register of Shipping" for 1804 with W. Clark, master, Hurry & Co. owner, and trade Plymouth–Southern Fishery. She also underwritten a good repair  in 1803. Captain Clark (or Clarke) sailed from England in July, bound for Timor. Between 10 and 15 August 1804 she was among a number of whalers from London that were well at Timor, including , , , and others. In February 1805 Captain Clarke found out from "Policy", and another vessel, now "Sophia", that was a prize to , that a valuable Batavian vessel was coming from Batavia on her way to Banda. "Iris" intercepted the Batavian near Omba Island and gave chase, though her quarry had more guns and a larger crew. "Iris" attempted to board the Batavian, but she had too  few crew men to prevail. After Clarke was badly wounded "Iris"s chief office broke off the engagement; the Batavian maintained her cannon fire until "Iris" was out of range, but chose not to pursue. Fate. "Iris" was homeward bound from the southern fishery when she stopped at Saint Helena. There she was condemned in 1805 as unseaworthy. The East Indiaman took "Iris"s cargo of oil home. Citations and references. Citations References