Earl of Abergavenny was an East Indiaman launched in 1796 that was wrecked in Weymouth Bay, England in 1805. She was one of the largest East Indiamen ever built. John Wordsworth was her captain during her last two successful voyages to China. He was also her captain on her fifth voyage and lost his life when she wrecked. Earl of Abergavenny was built in Northfleet, Kent to carry cargo for the British East India Company (EIC). In 1804 she was one of the vessels at the Battle of Pulo Aura, though she did not participate in the action. She sank, with great loss of life, within days of leaving Portsmouth on the outward leg of her fifth voyage.

Precautions

East Indiamen preferred to travel in convoys. Frequently, vessels of the British Royal Navy escorted these convoys, though generally not past India nor before on the return voyage. The Indiamen themselves were heavily armed so that they could dissuade pirates and even large privateers.

As with many East Indiamen during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, Earl of Abergavenny sailed under letters of marque. These authorised her to take prizes should the opportunity arise.

Voyages

Voyage #1 (1797–1798)

Earl of Abergavennys first letter of marque was issued on 26 January 1797.) 2 March and reached St Helena on 5 August. She arrived at the Downs on 18 October.

Voyage #2 (1799–1800)

Earl of Abergavenny, under the command of Captain John Wordsworth, Snr., left Portsmouth on 13 June 1799, reached Penang on 28 October, and Whampoa on 16 January 1800.

On her return trip Earl of Abergavenny crossed the Second Bar on 28 March and reached St Helena on 15 July. She then entered the Downs on 23 September. Earl of Abergavenny did not actually take part in the exchange of fire.

Earl of Abergavenny reached Malacca five days later, on 19 February 1804 and Penang on 1 March. She arrived at St Helena on 9 June and the Downs on 8 August.

In August 2024, the shipwreck was granted special protection by the Department for Culture Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England as a scheduled monument.

See also

  • Not to be confused with her namesake and predecessor, transferred to the Navy in 1795 as

Notes

Citations

References

  • Royal Commission on Opium (1895) First Report of the Royal Commission on Opium: With Minutes of Evidence and Appendices, Volume 7, Part 2 (H.M. Stationery Office).
  • Excavation of the Wreck Site