| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Preston |
| Builder | Denmark[1]-Norway[2] |
| Acquired | 1809 by purchase of a prize |
| Fate | Foundered October 1812 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 161,[1] or 162[2] (bm) |
| Sail plan | Snow |
| Complement | 13 |
| Armament | 6 × 6-pounder guns + 4 × 12-pounder carronades[1] |
| Notes | Built of fir and oak |
Preston was a Dano-Norwegian vessel that the British captured c.1809. As a British merchantman she initially traded with the Iberian peninsula. An American vessel captured and released her in 1812 and she foundered later that year.
Preston first entered Lloyd's Register (LR) in 1809 with Simpson, master, Ditchburn, owner, and trade London–Gibraltar.[2]
| Year | Master | Owner | Trade | Source & notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1811 | Simpson Ditchburn |
Ditchburn | London–Gibraltar | LR; thorough repair 1806 |
| 1812 | Ditchburn | Ditchburn | London–Corunna | Register of Shipping; small repairs 1811[1] |
Preston, Ditchburn, master, was sailing from Newfoundland to Trinidad in 1812 when she encountered the American letter of marque Lottery at 29°N 43°W / 29°N 43°W. Lottery took sails, cables, and other stores. Lottery then released Preston, which arrived at Trinidad on 15 September.[3] When Preston arrived at Trinidad, Ditchburn reported that the Americans had behaved more like pirates than privateersmen, looting private property and cabin stores.[4]
In October Preston foundered while on her way from Trinidad to London.[5] The Register of Shipping for 1813 carried the annotation "Lost" by her name.
Citations
References
- Cranwell, John Philips; Crane, William Bowers (1940). Men of marque; a history of private armed vessels out of Baltimore during the War of 1812. New York: W.W. Norton & Co.