Caledonia (1815 ship)
Caledonia was launched at Sunderland in 1815. She was initially an East Indiaman, sailing between England and Bombay under a license from the British East India Company (EIC). In 1820 and again in 1822 she transported convicts to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania). After about 1825 she became a West Indiaman. Her crew abandoned her at sea on 28 August 1832 in a leaky state. Career. "Caledonia" first appeared in "Lloyd's Register" in the 1816 volume with Rodgers, master, Laing & Co., owner, and trade London–India. The EIC had in 1814 lost its monopoly on the  trade with India. Laing was one of many shipowners who sailed their vessels to explore the opportunity this had created. On 20 July 1817 "Caledonia", E.B. Roberts, master, sailed "Caledonia" for Bombay under a license from the EIC. She may have made an earlier voyage but "Lloyd's Register" did not publish an 1817 volume. "Caledonia", Roberts, master, another voyage to Bombay, leaving on 20 November 1818. In 1822 "Lloyd's Register" showed Carns (or Carnes) replacing Roberts as master, however, Carns had replaced Roberts some years earlier. 1st convict voyage to Van Diemen's Land (1820): Captain Robert Carns  sailed from Portsmouth on 10 July 1820. "Caledonia" arrived at Hobart on 17 November. She had embarked 150 male convicts and she landed all 150. "Caledonia" sailed on to Sydney and arrived there on 16 December. 2nd convict voyage to Van Diemen's Land (1822): Captain Carns sailed from Portsmouth on 19 June 1822. "Caledonia" sailed via Rio de Janeiro and arrived at Hobart on 6 November. She had again embarked 150 male convicts, but on this voyage she suffered six convict deaths "en route". "Caledonia" sailed on to Sydney. In 1825 Laing sold "Caledonia" to Brice & Co. The 1825  volume of "Lloyd's Register" showed "Caledonia" with T. Christie, master, Brice & Co. owners, and trade London–Jamaica. By 1830 her master was W. Hodnett, and her trade London–St Vincent. On 26 March 1831 "Caledonia" was at Trinidad when she was caught in a gale. She lost a flat with eight hogsheads of sugar. She herself was driven on shore. Loss. "Caledonia", Hodnett, master, was lost on 28 August 1832. She had been sailing from Bremen to Gaspé, Quebec, when her crew abandoned her at in a leaking state. Her crew was saved. Citations and references. Citations References Caledonia