In the fall of 1805 a small naval squadron under the orders of Commodore Sir Home Popham escorted a fleet of transports and East Indiamen carrying some 5000 soldiers under the command of Major-general Sir David Baird to attack the Dutch at the Cape of Good Hope. The fleet assembled at Madeira and touched at St. Salvador to replenish supplies. The expedition sailed again on the 26 November, and on 4 January 1806, in the evening, anchored to the west of Robben Island, preparatory to taking the Dutch colony.
The lists below are those that Commodore Home Riggs Popham provided to William Marsden, First Secretary of the Admiralty.
These vessels were carrying the 59th Regiment of Foot and recruits for various regiments in India. After the capture of the Cape these vessels sailed on to India or China.
After the Dutch Governor Jansens signed a capitulation on 18 January 1806, and the British established control of the Cape Colony, escorted William Pitt, Jane Dutchess of Gordon, Sir William Pulteney, and Comet to Madras. The convoy included Northampton, Streatham, Europe, Union, Glory, and Sarah Christiana.[1]
Apart from the EIC vessels, the expedition employed a large number of transports specifically for the expedition. These vessels carried the 93rd, 38th, and 24th Regiments of Foot, the Royal Artillery, and dismounted dragoons. The data on burthens and post-invasion disposition comes from Theal.
| Vessel | Burthen | Post-invasion disposition |
|---|---|---|
| Agnes† | 230 | 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners |
| Amphitrite‡ | 288 | 28 February sailed as cartel to Holland |
| † | 448 | 11 March sailed as cartel with prisoners from |
| Anne | 319 | Sailed 10 March for England with dispatches |
| 435 | Sailed 13 March as a cartel with the crews of the captured ships Atalanta and Napoleon | |
| ‡ | 472 | Sailed 28 February as cartel to Holland |
| 338 | 11 March sailed as cartel with prisoners from | |
| Elisha (or Eliza) Tupper‡ | 272 | Sailed 28 February as cartel to Holland |
| Elizabeth† | 251 | Sailed with 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners |
| Fame† | 285 | Sailed with 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners |
| ‡ | 347 | Sailed 28 February as cartel to Holland |
| Harbinger | 365 | Sailed 13 March as a cartel with the crews of Atalanta and Napoleon |
| Harlequin† | 220 | Sailed with 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners |
| Harriet‡ (or Harriot) | 387 | Sailed 28 February as cartel to Holland |
| † | 549 | Sailed with 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners |
| Indefatigable (C)† | 217 | Sailed with 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners |
| Jack | 151 | Sailed 21 March with dispatches for Barbados |
| King George | Lost outward bound on the expedition | |
| Majestic | 377 | Sailed for Madras 9 February with EIC troops to return with rice and wheat for the colony |
| Melantho | 289 | Reserved for general service |
| Messenger† | 217 | Sailed with 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners |
| Ocean | 430 | Reserved for general service |
| 394 | Sailed 7 February for Algoa Bay with troops to load lumber for military works | |
| 293 | Sailed 20 January with dispatches for England | |
| Simpson | 354 | Sailed for Madras 9 February with EIC troops to return with rice and wheat for the colony |
| ‡ | 360 | Sailed 28 February as cartel to Holland |
| Traveller† | 244 | Sailed with 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners |
| Triton | 443 | Reserved for general service |
| Union | 292 | Sailed 28 February as cartel to Holland‡ |
| Walker | 357 | 21 March loading with provisions |
| Wellington | 339 | Reserved for general service |
| Whitby | 336 | Sailed 28 February to India to get grain for the colony |
| William | 447 | Sailed for Madras 9 February with EIC troops to return with rice and wheat for the colony |
| Zephyr | 342 | 21 March loading with artillery and stores for False Bay |
| Vessel | Burthen | Role | Post-invasion disposition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albion (1802 ship)† | 201 | General baggage and horses | 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners |
| Golden Grove† | 102 | Victualer | 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners |
| 239 | Victualer | Sailed 11 March to Plettenberg Bay to load with timber | |
| Sarah† | 572 | Hospital and medical stores | 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners |
| † | 282 | Victualer | 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners |