Britannia (1772 ship)

Britannia was built in South Carolina (probably Charleston) in 1772. Prior to 1798, Britannia sailed between London and South Carolina, or simply served as a transport. In 1798 she changed ownership and began a sequence of whaling voyages. Between 1798 and 1807 she made a number of whaling voyages to the South Seas whale fishery, and the coast of South Africa. On one of those voyages a French privateer captured her, but Britannia was recaptured almost immediately. Between 1808 and 1816, the last year in which she is listed, she returned to operating as a London-based transport.

For other ships with the same name, see Britannia (ship).
History
Great Britain
NameBritannia
Owner
  • 1776:Graham & Co.
  • 1786:Simpson & Co.
  • 1798:Hill
  • 1810:Raines & Co.
Builder1772, or 1773 South Carolina
Captured1798, and recaptured
FateLast listed in 1816
General characteristics
Tons burthen320, 296, (bm)
PropulsionSails
Sail planBrig
Complement
  • 1800:20
  • 1804:15
Armament
  • 1778:14 × 4-pounder guns
  • 1783:12 × 4-pounder guns
  • 1795:6 × 3-pounder guns
  • 1798:6 × 3-pounder guns + 6 × 12-pounder guns ("of the New Construction"; NC)
  • 1800:2 × 9-pounder + 6 × 12-pounder guns (NC)
  • 1800:12 × 12-pounder guns + 4 swivel guns
  • 1804:8 × 12-pounder guns + 12 swivel guns
  • 1805:2 × 9-pounder guns + 8 × 9-pounder carronades
  • 1815:8 × 18-pounder carronades
NotesBuilt of live oak. Later described as having pine sides. Between the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary Wars she was unarmed.
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