Harmony (1794 ship) explained

Harmony was a ship built in the United States of America in 1794 that made one voyage for the British East India Company (EIC). She wrecked in 1804.

EIC voyage

Captain James Wickham sailed from Torbay on 8 January 1801, bound for Madras and Bengal. Harmony reached Tenerife on 24 January, and arrived at Madras on 17 June and Calcutta on 16 July. Returning home, she was at the Cape of Good Hope on 15 December, and arrived at the Downs on 21 February 1802.[1]

Ambiguity

A key source on EIC vessels identifies Harmony as a vessel of 312 tons (bm), Rusk & Co., owner. Unfortunately, there were two vessels named Harmony, both built in the United States, both of about the same burthen, that were sailing at the same time, one with Wickham, master, and one with Wilkinson, master. Lloyd's Register for 1804 only reported one. The Register of Shipping for 1804 separated the two, but may have confused details between them.

MasterOwnerTradePlace of launchYear of launchBurthenSource
J. WickhamRusk & Co.London—IndiaNew England1794312Lloyd's Register[2]
WickamMiller & Co.London—IndiaPhiladelphia1793317Register of Shipping[3]
WilkinsonRusk & Co.London-PhiladelphiaNew England1794312Register of Shipping[4]

Clarifying the issue will require a third, independent source, or original research.

Fate

On 13 December 1804 Harmony, Wickham, master, was returning to London from Sumatra when she ran ashore at Deal. She was wrecked and only a small part of her cargo could be saved.[5]

References

Notes and References

  1. http://searcharchives.bl.uk/IAMS_VU2:IAMS045-001115108 British Library: Harmony.
  2. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/hvd.32044105233704?urlappend=%3Bseq=232 Lloyd's Register (1804), Seq. №H157.
  3. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015021233567?urlappend=%3Bseq=251 Register of Shipping (1804), Seq.№H162.
  4. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015021233567?urlappend=%3Bseq=251 Register of Shipping (1804), Seq.№H164.
  5. Lloyd's List №1477.