Iris (1803 ship)
Iris was launched in France in 1794 and came into British hands in 1803, probably by purchase. She was condemned as unseaworthy in late 1805 on her way home after her first voyage as a whaler.
| History | |
|---|---|
 France | |
| Launched: | 1794[1] |
| Fate: | Transferred to British ownership in 1803 |
 United Kingdom | |
| Name: | Iris |
| Owner: | Hurry & Co.[2][1] |
| Acquired: | 1803 (by purchase?) |
| Fate: | Condemned 1805 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen: | 357,[3] or 395[2] (bm) |
| Complement: | 30[3] |
| Armament: | 10 × 6-pounder guns + 6 swivel guns[3] |
Captain William Clark received a letter of marque on 23 May 1803.[3] 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.[4] Between 10 and 15 August 1804 she was among a number of whalers from London that were well at Timor, including Perseverance, Elliott, Eliza, and others.[5]
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 Union took her cargo of oil home.[6]
Citations and references
Citations
References
- Clayton, Jane M (2014). Ships employed in the South Sea Whale Fishery from Britain: 1775–1815: An alphabetical list of ships. Berforts Group. ISBN 9781908616524.
