Whim

Whim was a British schooner launched at Deptford on 23 January 1799 by Francis Barnard, Son & Roberts. She was constructed for fast sailing and was commissioned for use by the British East India Company as a dispatch vessel. Contemporary descriptions emphasized her copper-fastened and coppered hull, iron-kneed beams, and construction under the supervision of Robert Charnock. These features were consistent with a vessel intended to move quickly and withstand demanding long-distance service. The vessel’s early career combined commercial and quasi-military duties. Captain John Ramsden obtained a letter of marque for Whim in May 1799, authorizing her to operate as an armed private vessel during the maritime conflicts of the period. Captain Andrew Barclay received a further letter of marque in November 1800. Whim sailed from Britain for Madras in late 1800, reached the port in April 1801, and returned to Britain later that year under Captain John H. Fellers. She arrived at The Downs on 25 November 1801. The East India Company subsequently advertised the sale of rice transported by its ships, including Whim. In 1802, the East India Company sold Whim because it no longer required her. Ownership passed to Captain T. Smith and partners, and the vessel’s recorded trade changed first to the London–Cape of Good Hope route and then to London–South Georgia. This change reflected her conversion to, or employment in, the South Sea whaling trade. During one voyage she stopped at Rio de Janeiro for water and provisions. Whim encountered a major wartime episode on 16 April 1804, when the French privateer Caroline, commanded by Nicholas Surcouf, captured her. Surcouf transferred the crew of another captured vessel, Unicorn, aboard Whim, removed cargo from both ships, and released Whim after securing a ransom of 4,000 piastres. Whim’s lost cargo consisted of approximately 6,000 seal skins and eight barrels of elephant-seal oil. She later reached St Helena and returned to Britain in July 1804. After returning, Whim was offered for sale in London during 1805 but apparently did not find an immediate buyer. Lloyd’s Register continued to associate her with the South Georgia whaling trade into 1806, although surviving evidence does not establish another completed whaling voyage. Her later career was more varied. She operated on routes involving Gibraltar, Algiers, London, and Africa, with changes in masters and ownership recorded over time. By 1812, Bold & Co. owned her, J. Portis was master, and her listed trade was Liverpool–Africa. Around the end of 1818, Whim was reported near Benin Bar after being plundered and losing a boat and four crew members. From 1819 onward, registers placed her at Plymouth under Bold & Co., with S. Grillan as master. Whim was last listed in 1822. She was a working vessel rather than a continuing commercial brand, and no evidence indicates that the name remained in active maritime service after that date.

Whim was launched at Deptford on 23 January 1799 by Francis Barnard, Son & Roberts. The schooner was built for the British East India Company as a fast dispatch vessel and was described as copper-fastened, coppered, and fitted with iron-kneed beams. Robert Charnock supervised aspects of her construction. Her design and construction suggest that speed, durability, and long-distance service were central to her intended role. Captain John Ramsden received a letter of marque for Whim on 9 May 1799, permitting her to operate as an armed private vessel. She subsequently sailed to India. Captain Andrew Barclay received another letter of marque on 15 November 1800. Whim departed for Madras in November and December of that year, arrived on 16 April 1801, and returned to Britain under Captain John H. Fellers, reaching The Downs on 25 November. In early 1802, the East India Company included cargo carried by Whim in an advertisement for the sale of rice brought from overseas. The company sold Whim in 1802 after determining that she was no longer required. Captain T. Smith and partners acquired her. Lloyd’s Register recorded changes in her master and trade, initially listing a London–Cape of Good Hope route and subsequently a London–South Georgia route. The latter was consistent with employment in the South Sea whaling and sealing economy. Whim called at Rio de Janeiro in December for water and provisions during this period. On 16 April 1804, while sailing in the Indian Ocean region, Whim was captured by the French privateer Caroline, commanded by Nicholas Surcouf. Surcouf had also captured Unicorn and transferred Unicorn’s crew to Whim. The privateer removed the cargoes of both vessels and released Whim in return for a ransom of 4,000 piastres. Whim had been carrying 6,000 seal skins and eight barrels of elephant-seal oil, which were lost during the capture. She was reported at St Helena in May and returned to Britain on 15 July. Whim was put up for sale in London in April 1805 and continued to be offered during that year, apparently without an immediate sale. Although Lloyd’s Register continued to list a South Georgia whaling connection into 1806, there is no confirmed evidence of a further whaling voyage. Later records show the vessel working in general merchant service. She was associated with voyages involving Gibraltar and Algiers, and later with London–Algiers trade. Ownership and command changed several times. In 1812, Bold & Co. became the recorded owner, J. Portis was listed as master, and the vessel’s trade was recorded as Liverpool–Africa. Around the end of 1818, Whim was reported near Benin Bar after being plundered. The incident resulted in the loss of a boat and four men. From 1819, registers placed her at Plymouth under Bold & Co., with S. Grillan as master. Whim was last listed in 1822. No subsequent documented service or continuing vessel record is identified in the cited material.

• 1822

  Last register listing

  [1]Whim (1799 schooner)en.wikipedia.org

  Whim was last listed in the available Lloyd’s Register material.

• 1818

  Plundering near Benin Bar

  [1]Whim (1799 schooner)en.wikipedia.org

  Whim was reported to have been plundered near Benin Bar and to have lost a boat and four crew members.

• 1812

  Entry into Liverpool–Africa trade

  [1]Whim (1799 schooner)en.wikipedia.org

  Bold & Co. became the recorded owner, with J. Portis as master and Liverpool–Africa as the listed trade.

• 1804

  Capture by Caroline

  [1]Whim (1799 schooner)en.wikipedia.org

  The French privateer Caroline captured Whim, removed her cargo, and released her after a ransom arrangement.

• 1802

  Sale by the East India Company

  [1]Whim (1799 schooner)en.wikipedia.org

  The East India Company sold Whim to Captain T. Smith and partners, after which her recorded trade changed.

• 1801

  Return from Madras

  [1]Whim (1799 schooner)en.wikipedia.org

  After sailing from Britain in late 1800, Whim reached Madras in April and returned to The Downs on 25 November.

• 1799

  Launch at Deptford

  [1]Whim (1799 schooner)en.wikipedia.org

  Whim was launched on 23 January at Deptford by Francis Barnard, Son & Roberts for East India Company dispatch service.

• 1799

  First letter of marque

  [1]Whim (1799 schooner)en.wikipedia.org

  Captain John Ramsden received a letter of marque for Whim on 9 May.

A fast, versatile British sailing vessel used successively for East India Company dispatches, armed maritime operations, whaling-related trade, and merchant routes.

• Sailing vessel · 1799

  Whim schooner

  The single vessel known as Whim was a British schooner built for speed and long-distance maritime service. Her coppered hull, copper fastenings, and iron-kneed beams supported use as an East India Company dispatch vessel, an armed vessel operating under letters of marque, and later a whaler and merchant ship. Her documented routes included India, the Cape of Good Hope, South Georgia, Algiers, and Africa.

• 1804

  Release after privateer captureOther

  Background

  The French privateer Caroline captured Whim during wartime maritime operations.

  Action taken

  Nicholas Surcouf removed cargo and released Whim after obtaining a ransom of 4,000 piastres.

  Aftermath

  Whim proceeded to St Helena and later returned to Britain, while her seal-skin and elephant-seal-oil cargo was lost.

  Ransom. 4000 piastres (1804)

  Source

• 1802

  Sale after East India Company serviceStrategy

  Background

  The East India Company no longer required Whim for its own operations.

  Action taken

  The company sold the schooner to Captain T. Smith and partners.

  Aftermath

  Whim moved into privately operated routes, including trade connected with the Cape of Good Hope and South Georgia whaling.

  Source

1. 1Whim (1799 schooner)en.wikipedia.org