List of vessels of the Bengal Pilot Service to 1834 explained

The Bengal Pilot Service (BPS) was an arm of the British East India Company (EIC). Its pilot boats were responsible for guiding East Indiamen, and other vessels, up and down the Hooghly River between Calcutta and the sea. The BPS vessels and their role were transferred to the Indian Navy in 1834.

The information in the tables below comes primarily from Phipps (designated with a "†"),[1] or Hackman (designated with a "‡").[2] The vessels listed are those one source or the other identified as serving the Bengal Pilot Service. Where the two sources disagree with respect to some datum such as year of launch, or burthen, the first datum mentioned is from Phipps and the second is from Hackman.

A & B

NameTypeTons burthen (bm)Year builtWhere builtRemarks
Abercromby†1471794Fort William (Calcutta)[3] Converted to a buoy vessel; condemned and sold out of the service 1807
Amazon†Cruiser1381769CalcuttaStationed at Chittagong; dispatched to Cochin China April 1778
Apollo†YachtSold 4 January 1769
Arrival‡Sloop1676
Asseergurh†1971819KidderporeSold 1839, or still in BPS in 1851[4]
Balasore‡ Sloop1689
Beacon†Light vessel1801831HowrahStationed at the Sand Heads; still in BPS in 1851
Blessing‡Sloop801670London
Bombay‡Sloop1742Not in the BPS in 1766†
Bonetto† or Bonetta‡Sloop1071748 or 1746BombaySold November 1786
Brilliant‡BrigantineJuly 1743Bombay DockyardMadras Pilot Service

C

NameTypeTons burthen (bm)Year builtWhere builtRemarks
Caranga† (equally Caranja)Schooner1301775BombayDestroyed by a fire April 1779[5]
Calcutta‡Sloop1746PeguAuthorized 14 April 1755 to be sunk to end white ant infestation; sold 1756 for breaking up
Calcutta‡Snow1757CalcuttaNot in the BPS in 1766†
Carnac†‡Schooner1762, or 1761, or 1763Bombay, or ChittagongSold 3 March 1767
Carolina‡Sloop 1739Pegu
†‡Brig150, or 170†‡1787BombayCaptured 21 January 1796 in Balasore Roads; recaptured February and taken into Madras[6]
Cassimbazar (equally CossimbazarFitted out October 1712Out of service c.1731, but rebuilt c.August 1733
Cavery†, or Cauvery‡Brig2001838Bombay DockyardStill in BPS in 1851
CeciliaShip1911813BombaySold at Calcutta into country service 1828; Lengthened at Moulmain 1838
Chandernagore†Schooner85ChandernagoreFrench pilot vessel seized at Calcutta on 5 July 1793; Condemned and sold at Calcutta on 27 June 1795
Change†Schooner1441799Fort WilliamTransferred to the Residency at Ambonya September 1810. Participated in the 1810-11 British invasion of Java and the Moluccas.
Charles‡Sloop1683London
Charles†River transport1151796CalcuttaSold 1808
Charlotte†Yacht1741794CalcuttaConverted to an agent vessel 1802; condemned and sold 1808
Chaser†1601778Batavia
Chittagong†Sloop1755MauritiusSold 22 April 1767
Colleron†‡ (or Coleroon)Brig2001838Bombay DockyardStill in BPS in 1851
Comet†Floating light vessel1391777CalcuttaSold 1788
Conimere‡Sloop1682IndiaPurchased April 1683 at Madras for the BPS
†‡Brig1701787Bombay Dockyard10 or 19 December 1796 the French privateer Enterprise captured her and she arrived at Mauritius in January 1797.
Cudbert Thornhill†1601804CalcuttaSold 8 April 1818 into country service
Cuddalore†‡Sloop, or schooner1752Bombay DockyardLost 1775

D — G

NameTypeTons burthen (bm)Year builtWhere builtRemarks
Diamond HarbourAnchor boat1796Fort William
Diana‡KetchThe EIC purchased her on 4 July 1704 for the BPS
Diligence†Schooner101Bombay
Dolphin‡Sloop1748Bombay
Eliza†‡Schooner189; 251 after lengthening1813Bombay DockyardCondemned and sold September 1831 out of the service at Calcutta; local buyers renamed her Will Watch. Lengthened and registry transferred to London. Last listed 1844.[7]
ExpeditionSloop1703Fort St. George, India (Madras)
Fanny‡Snow1757
FlySloopSold February 1772
Flora†‡Brig1891814 BombaySold into the country service 1836
Fort St George‡Sloop1739 PeguGrounded 20 April 1751 and possibly wrecked
Ford†Sloop1750JavaSold 1 October 1770
FriendshipKetch1705
Ganges‡Sloop1676
Ganges‡Sloop1703
Ganges‡Brig1301794Bombay DockyardDestroyed by fire in the Saugor Roads 11 January 1797. An explosion in the magazine killed eight crew members; six hours later Laurel rescued the survivors.
George†River transport1151796CalcuttaSold 1807
George†River transport1091807KidderporeSold into the country service 13 May 1819
Gillett†Schooner1401793CalcuttaCaptured by a gang of French parole violators at Kedgeree 29 October 1795[8]
GingaliSloop or brigantineAlso Gingalle; destroyed by pirates at Anjengo June 1696
Grampus†‡Sloop1051748Bombay Dockyard Sold September 1775 to local buyers
Guide†1501799Fort WilliamSold 23 July 1814
Guide†Brig1891817Bombay DockyardIn 1822 she rescued the passengers and crew of . Guide was sold 1837 to local buyers and renamed Sir William Wallace

H & I

NameTypeTons burthen (bm)Year builtWhere builtRemarks
Haldane†Schooner1631797Fort WilliamSold 28 June 1816; possibly sold at Port Jackson 1821
Harland†1321772Bombay DockyardDispatched to sea October 1776 and lost
Harriett†Agent vessel701795CalcuttaSold into the country service
†1501796CalcuttaThe French privateer Apollon, Captain Jean-François Hodoul, captured her on 9 November 1797 off Sand Heads (equally, Balasore Roads). Harrington arrived at Mauritius on 21 December. The same privateer also captured Trial that same day.[9]
Hastings†‡Schooner1701787, or 1785Bombay DockyardConverted to a buoy vessel May 1818; sold to local buyers 11 October 1820. A fire destroyed her in the night on 17 April 1823 while she was at Pulau Pasang, off Padang.
Hattrass† (or Hatras)1971819KidderporeStill in BPS in 1851
Hawk†1801778BataviaSold March 1783
Hawke‡Sloop1749Bombay Dockyard
Hawke‡Gallivat1773Bombay Dockyard
Hay†1501796CalcuttaOn 21 December 1796 the French privateer Enterprise captured her in Balasore Roads.
Henry Meriton†‡Brig1901817Bombay DockyardSold 1838 to local buyers and renamed William
Hertford†‡Sloop1752PeguSold 1 July 1767
Hope†Light vessel1801834HowrahStationed at the Sand Heads. In 1842 she caught fire whilst at Saugor, but was saved. There was suspicion against some of the crew.[10] Still in BPS in 1851.
Hooghly†‡ (or Hooghli, or Houghley)Schooner130, or 147, or 1501794Bombay DockyardCaptain Humphrys, rescued, with John Bebb, the passengers and crew of, Captain Tremenheere 1 June 1809; condemned and sold out of the service at Calcutta. Lost.
Hughley Anna‡Ketch1705
Hunter‡Schooner1758
Indus (later Industry†‡Schooner1401776Bombay DockyardTaken by the French 1782
Intelligence†Schooner1601780CalcuttaTransferred to the Fort Marlborough Residency 1782

J — M

NameTypeTons burthen (bm)Year builtWhere builtRemarks
Jane†‡Brig1701819Bombay DockyardStill in BPS in 1851.
Jessey (or Jessy)Schooner1631797Fort WilliamLost on the Reef Head 25 May 1815
Johanna‡ (also referred to as Juno†)Snow1701787Bombay DockyardLost on the Andaman Islands expedition 1788
John Bebb†1551800CalcuttaCaptain Nash. Rescued, with Hooghli, the passengers and crew of, Captain Tremenheere, 1 June 1809; participated in the 1810-11 British invasion of Java and the Moluccas.
John Shore†1671807CalcuttaSold 2 July 1818 to the country trade
Josiah‡Ketch1703
Juno†Yacht
Juno† (see Johanna)
Krishna†‡Brig2004 April 1837Bombay DockyardStill in BPS in 1851.
Lady William Bentinck†Brig[11] 2001833, or 1834HowrahStill in BPS in 1851.
Lilly‡Sloop1679
LondonSloopFitted out October 1712
Louisa‡ (also referred to as Princess Louisa)Sloop21 December 1741Bombay DockyardSold to local buyers 1755
Lovely Sophia†Snow1061775MauritiusSold July 1786
L'Orient†801771ChandernagorePilot boat of the French Bengal Pilot Service; captured at Balasore 1778; sold 1785
Mary‡ Sloop701695SuratSold to local buyers 27 March 1705
Megna†‡Brig2011836Bombay DockyardStill in BPS in 1851.
Mercury†Schooner1667BardarmarghankaSold 24 February 1773
Mergee Frigate‡Ship1689Sold almost immediately to French buyers
Mermaid‡Sloop1758Wrecked at Calingapatam February 1759
Mermaid†Dutch pilot vessel captured at Chinsurah 1796; sold and afterwards burnt at Penang
Mermaid†1767SuratSold 24 February 1773
Mermaid1778Sold
Mermaid†‡Brig1881825Bombay DockyardRound stern. In the Pilot Service 1839; lost 1847; However, a Mermaid was still in BPS in 1851.
Minerva†Cruizer1801770CalcuttaSold February 1774

N — R

NameTypeTons burthen (bm)Year builtWhere builtRemarks
Nerbuddah†, or Nerbuda‡Schooner1061776Bombay DockyardCaptured by the French 1782
Nereide†Yacht2371821KidderporeSold 1824; sent to England
Nymphe†Sloop1801778Batavia
†Sloop1081778JavaBuoy vessel 1793; sold 1796
Phillip Dundas†‡Brig176 / 1871797, or 1798Bombay DockyardSold. Conflicting reports exist concerning her subsequent career and fate.
Phoenix‡Schooner1667†Sold for breaking up 30 April 1759
Phoenix†‡Schooner1131770‡Bombay DockyardSold to local buyers June 1788, or in 1778
Phoenix†Agent vessel1811808KidderporeSold 18 October 1820
Pilot†901835HowrahEmployed in river duties; still in BPS in 1851.
Planet†‡Brig1741816Bombay DockyardActed as a light vessel. Sold to local buyers December 1832 (or 1838) and renamed Bright Planet
Plassey†‡1762BombaySold to local buyers 24 February 1773
Porto Bello‡SloopJuly 1741Bombay
Prudent‡Sloop1683
Queen Anne‡‡Sloop1702
Queensborough†Sloop1752BombaySold 1 October 1770
Ranger†‡Schooner1601780BombayA French privateer captured Ranger on 21 December 1796 in Balasore Roads. The privateer took off the pilot and the European crew members, and put on board a five-man prize crew. The next day the serang (boatswain) and the lascars overpowered the prize crew, killing one. They then took Ranger into Balasore. The EIC in 1805 sold Ranger to local buyers.
Ring†SchoonerSold 24 February 1772
Rising Sun‡Ketch1703
Rochester‡Sloop1684River Thames
Royal James‡Sloop1683River Thames
RussellCaptured September 1712
Russell†‡Schooner111 or 1101770Bombay DockyardTaken by the French in Balasore Roads 14 January 1796

S — W

NameTypeTons burthen (bm)Year builtWhere builtRemarks
St David‡Ketch1742
Saugor†‡Brig2001836Bombay DockyardStill in BPS in 1851.
Sea Horse†‡Sloop1081749 or 1759Bombay1785 or July 1786 transferred to the French at Chandernagore
Sea Horse†‡Brig188, or 1884 February 1825Bombay DockyardStill in BPS in 1851.
Sophia†‡Brig1891814BombayLost on the Long Sand 1818
Speedwell†‡Schooner1071765Bombay DockyardSold to local buyers 1785
Sumatra‡Sloop1742Bombay
Swallow†Ship2001779BombayMarch 1780 dispatched to England; afterwards transferred to the Bombay Establishment; lost near Fultah c.1824
Swift‡Schooner1763Bombay DockyardConverted into a State yacht, or foundered in Balasore Roads 1766
Syren†‡Schooner or snow1753Bombay DockyardSold to local buyers 1769
Syren†Sloop1051783CalcuttaCondemned and sold 15 July 1796
Tannah†Schooner1421775BombayThe French captured her in February 1781; she was lost in 1782
Tartar‡Sloop1758
Thomas‡Sloop1684
Thomas‡Sloop1689River Thames
Torch†‡Brig167 or 1741815Bombay DockyardBuilt as a floating light vessel; converted into Harbour Master’s depot at Calcutta 1835; still in BPS in 1851.
†‡ (also Tryal)EIC packet160 or 160 1780CalcuttaMade at least two voyages for the EIC;[12] She returned to India 1786 and served the BPS; rebuilt 1796; the French privateer Apollon, Captain Jean-François Hodoul, captured Trial and Harrington in Balasore Roads on 9 November 1797.
Triton†Schooner1021770BombayCondemned and sold 19 January 1798
Tweed†‡Schooner1701788Bombay DockyardSold 2 September 1815
Udny†Brig1691802CalcuttaSold to local buyers 14 November 1814. In 1821 she was listed with W. Humble, master, and C. Taylor, owner;[13] condemned and broken up at Calcutta 1821
William‡Smack1705
William‡Sloop1739Pegue

References

Notes and References

  1. Phipps (1840).
  2. Hackman (2001).
  3. New Oriental... (1802), p.64.
  4. Clark (1851), p.204.
  5. Fort William... (1981), Vol. 8, pp. 60 & 488.
  6. Austen (1935), p.79.
  7. Lloyd's Register Seq.№ W199.
  8. Selections... (1865), Vol. 2, pp. 429-30.
  9. EIC (1959), p.330.
  10. "Ships burnt and destroyed" (November 1847) Nautical Magazine: A Journal of Papers on Subjects Connected with Maritime Affairs. Vol.16, p.589.
  11. Falconer (1852), p.123.
  12. http://searcharchives.bl.uk/IAMS_VU2:IAMS045-001115854 British Library: Trial (2).
  13. India Office and Burma Office List (1821), p.149.

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