Ruby

Ruby was an India-built sailing vessel associated with the maritime trade and military-transport networks of the British Empire in the early nineteenth century. The ship was launched at Calcutta, probably in 1800, although some records suggest a construction date as early as 1797. Rather than being a modern consumer brand, Ruby was a named commercial vessel, and its historical significance lies in its changing roles across Asian, Middle Eastern, and Australian waters. The vessel appears to have begun its career in Indian and Southeast Asian waters. In 1800, while sailing from Ambonya toward Sulu, Ruby became involved in a serious armed encounter. Captain Pavin went ashore with a small boat and crew, after which several armed proas and shore batteries attacked the ship. Ruby cut her cables, maneuvered away, and exchanged fire with the attackers. The vessel reportedly silenced the shore batteries and opposing craft, although one crew member was wounded and Ruby sustained damage. The fate of Pavin and the men who had gone ashore was later reported as violent death, while Ruby continued to Amurang Bay to collect rice before returning to Ambonya. Ruby subsequently served as one of the country ships supporting Major-General Sir David Baird's 1800–1801 expedition to the Red Sea. The expedition moved Indian troops toward Egypt in support of British operations against French forces. Ruby received provisions and sailed for the Red Sea in March 1801, calling at Al-Qusayr in August. Fraser Sinclair commanded the vessel during this phase but left after Ruby's return. The ship's participation illustrates how India-built merchant vessels could be incorporated into imperial military logistics without necessarily becoming regular East India Company ships. In 1803, under Captain John Hitchings, Ruby sailed from Calcutta toward England, reaching Saint Helena and then Portsmouth. While in British waters, a Royal Navy press gang removed members of the crew. The ship was entered in the British Registry in 1804 and later appeared in Lloyd's Register under Blake as master, captain, and owner, with a London–India trading designation. Despite this registration, surviving records suggest that Ruby probably operated mainly as a country ship within the Far East rather than undertaking additional chartered East India Company voyages between Britain and India or China. Ruby's best-documented Australian service came in 1811–1812. Under Captain Thomas Cripps, the vessel sailed from Calcutta to Port Jackson carrying merchandise and three convicts sentenced to transportation in Bengal. After calling at Bencoolen for water, Ruby reached Port Jackson on 28 September 1811. The colonial government then chartered the ship to transport a detachment of the 73rd Regiment of Foot, commanded by Major Andrew Geils, to Hobart. Ruby also carried 80 convicts from Port Jackson to Van Diemen's Land. The military and convict passengers embarked in February 1812, and Ruby reached Hobart after Captain Ambrose replaced Cripps. Cripps had apparently lost command following an allegation of embezzlement and escaped aboard Cyclops bound for Bengal. Ruby departed Van Diemen's Land in March 1812 and returned toward Bengal. Its final fate is uncertain. An 1814 list described the vessel among India-built ships later under British Registry that were lost, burned, or captured. Other historical records place its loss at the Sandheads in July 1818 or, less certainly, in 1820. Ruby was last listed in Lloyd's Register and the Register of Shipping in 1813. The conflicting dates mean that the exact circumstances and year of its disappearance remain unresolved.

Ruby was a sailing vessel built at Calcutta in British India. Most references place its launch around 1800, though a possible 1797 construction date has also been reported. The ship belonged to the class of vessels often described as country ships: India-built or locally operated ships that traded within Asian waters and could be hired for imperial military or colonial purposes. One of Ruby's earliest recorded episodes occurred in 1800 during a voyage from Ambonya toward Sulu. After Captain Pavin went ashore with seven crewmen, armed proas and shore batteries attacked the vessel. Ruby cut away its anchors and escaped while returning fire. The engagement caused at least one wound and some damage, but the ship reached safety and later loaded rice at Amurang Bay. Pavin and his shore party were subsequently reported to have been killed. Ruby was then used in support of the British expedition to the Red Sea led by Major-General Sir David Baird. The expedition transported Indian troops toward Egypt during the British campaign against French forces. Ruby sailed for the Red Sea in March 1801 and visited Al-Qusayr later that year. Fraser Sinclair was in command during this period, but he departed after the ship returned from the expedition. In 1803, John Hitchings commanded Ruby on a voyage from Calcutta to England. The ship called at Saugor and Saint Helena before arriving at Portsmouth in July. While in England, a Royal Navy press gang removed some of the crew, worsening the operational burden on a ship already reported to be leaking and requiring frequent pumping. Ruby entered the British Registry in January 1804 and soon sailed back toward India. The ship appeared in Lloyd's Register from 1806 through 1813. The listing identified Blake as master, captain, and owner and gave its trade as London–India. However, there is no firm evidence that Ruby completed another East India Company voyage. Because the Company retained a monopoly over much Britain–India and Britain–China trade, Ruby probably operated mainly as a London-registered country ship within the Far East. Ruby made its clearest Australian voyage in 1811. Under Thomas Cripps, it left Calcutta with merchandise and three convicts sentenced in Bengal. The ship stopped at Bencoolen for water and arrived at Port Jackson on 28 September. The colonial government then chartered Ruby to transport a detachment of the 73rd Regiment of Foot to Hobart, together with 80 convicts being transferred from Port Jackson to Van Diemen's Land. The passengers embarked in February 1812. Cripps apparently lost command after an embezzlement matter and escaped aboard Cyclops; Ambrose took over and brought Ruby to Hobart. The vessel left Van Diemen's Land in March and returned toward Bengal. The date and circumstances of Ruby's loss are uncertain. An 1814 record placed it among India-built vessels reported lost, burned, or captured. Other evidence suggests a loss at the Sandheads in July 1818, with 1820 offered as a further possibility. The ship's final appearance in the principal registers was in 1813.

• 1813

  Last register appearance

  [1]Ruby (1800 ship)en.wikipedia.org

  Ruby was last listed in Lloyd's Register and the Register of Shipping.

• 1812

  Troop and convict transport to Van Diemen's Land

  [1]Ruby (1800 ship)en.wikipedia.org

  The colonial government chartered Ruby to carry a detachment of the 73rd Regiment and 80 convicts from Port Jackson to Hobart.

• 1811

  Voyage to Port Jackson

  [1]Ruby (1800 ship)en.wikipedia.org

  Ruby carried merchandise and three Bengal convicts from Calcutta to Port Jackson, arriving in September.

• 1806

  Lloyd's Register listing

  [1]Ruby (1800 ship)en.wikipedia.org

  Ruby first appeared in Lloyd's Register with Blake recorded as master, captain, and owner and London–India listed as its trade.

• 1804

  British registration

  [1]Ruby (1800 ship)en.wikipedia.org

  Ruby was admitted to the Registry of Great Britain and returned to India-bound service.

• 1801

  Red Sea expedition

  [1]Ruby (1800 ship)en.wikipedia.org

  The ship supported Sir David Baird's expedition by carrying provisions and operating in the Red Sea, including a call at Al-Qusayr.

• 1800

  Launch and early Indian Ocean service

  [1]Ruby (1800 ship)en.wikipedia.org

  Ruby was launched at Calcutta, probably in 1800, and began operating in Indian and Southeast Asian waters.

• 1800

  Armed encounter near Sulu

  [1]Ruby (1800 ship)en.wikipedia.org

  Ruby escaped an attack by armed proas and shore batteries after Captain Pavin and a shore party went ashore.

An India-built country ship used for regional commerce, imperial logistics, troop movement, and colonial convict transportation.

• Country ship · 1800

  Ruby

  An India-built sailing vessel used for regional merchant shipping and later chartered for military and convict transportation. Its recorded operations extended from Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea and the Australian colonies.

• 1812

  Change of command after embezzlement allegationOther

  Background

  Captain Thomas Cripps apparently lost command while Ruby was at Port Jackson after an allegation involving embezzlement of funds.

  Action taken

  Cripps escaped aboard Cyclops, and Captain Ambrose assumed command for the voyage to Hobart.

  Aftermath

  Ambrose completed the transport voyage, after which Ruby departed Van Diemen's Land for Bengal.

  Source

1. 1Ruby (1800 ship)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2IHG Hotels & Resorts Introduces Ruby to Thailand, Marking the Brand’s Asia Pacific Entry - Hospitality Netnews.google.com
3. 3Ruby Earns Two Stevie Awards & Named a Top 10 Tech Employer in Oregon, Againprnewswire.com
4. 4Ruby Partners with the Residential Assisted Living National Associationprnewswire.com