Cambridge was launched in 1803, at Howdon, Newcastle upon Tyne. She made one or two voyages as whaler and then became a West Indiaman, and later traded across the Atlantic and with the Baltic. In 1814, she repelled an attack by a privateer in a single-ship action. She was sunk in May 1841, while returning to Newcastle from Russia.
Career Cambridges first owner was Lord Camelford, a particularly violent former naval officer. When Camelford died three days after being wounded in a duel on 7 March 1804. His whalers, Cambridge, (or Willding), and passed to Lord Grenville, a relative by marriage, who sold them when they returned from their voyages.
Whaler: Captain Benjamin Thompson acquired a letter of marque on 30 January 1804. In February, he sailed from London, bound for the Galápagos Islands. On 29 May, Cambridge and Caerwent were at Rio de Janeiro.British Southern Whale Fishery – Voyages: Cambridge. They were later reported to have arrived at Hood Island.Lloyd's List №4206.
Cambridge was again at Rio in July 1806, requiring food, water, and calefaction. This may have represented a second voyage. At some point her captains were reported as Buves, and Anthony. On 5 December 1806, Lloyd's List reported that Cambridge, Thompson, late master, and Caerwent, Anthony, master, were at the Cape of Good Hope,Lloyd's List №4105, Ship arrivals and departures (SAD) data.
Cambridge returned to London on 12 May 1807. Lloyd's Register for 1807, still showed her master as Thompson, her owner as Rodgers, and her trade as London–South Seas.Lloyd's Register (1807), Seq.№C48.
West Indiaman and general trader Lloyd's List reported on 24 June 1808, that Cambridge, Sullivan, master, had had to put back into Havana, having been run into.Lloyd's List №4264.
On 6 January 1814, Cambridge, Evans, master, arrived at Havana. She had repelled an attack by a Carthaginian privateer schooner of one gun and 80 men near Morro Castle (Havana). Two hours later the privateer captured a ship.Lloyd's List №4850.
On 6 May 1825, Cambridge, Mason, master, rescued the crew and their belongings from the leaky and sinking Albert, Dixon, master. Both vessels were sailing to London, Cambridge from Jamaica and Albert from Virginia when Cambridge came upon Albert at . Albert had four feet of water in her hold that was rising at 18" per hour, even with her pumps working.Lloyd's List №6024.
Year Master Owner Trade Source and notes 1805 Longridge F. Hurry & Co. Newcastle–London Register of Shipping (RS) 1810 SullivanJ. Evans H.Fletcher London–Jamaica RS 1815 J.Evans H.Fletcher London–HavanaLondon–Petersburg RS; small repairs 1814 1820 Langdon H.Fletcher London–Jamaica RS; small repairs 1816 1825 Mason H.Fletcher London–Jamaica RS; large repairs 1822 1830 Thompson Thompson & Co. London–Quebec SR; small repairs 1826 & 1830 1836 Anderson Thompson & Co. Newcastle–Baltic Lloyd's Register (LR); small repairs 1836 1840 Beautyman Thomson & Co. Newcastle–London LR; small repairs 1836 & 1839
Fate Cambridge was last listed in Lloyd's Register in 1841, with the annotation "SUNK".Lloyd's Register (1841), Seq.№C54. She was sunk on 2 (or 4) May 1841, by ice in the Baltic Sea. A Russian ship rescued the crew. Cambridge was on a voyage from Reval, Russia to Newcastle upon Tyne.
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