William Dawson was launched at Lancaster in 1812 as a West Indiaman. In 1818–1819, she made one voyage to India, sailing under a licence from the British East India Company (EIC). Thereafter William Dawson sailed to North America, primarily Canada from homeports such as Liverpool and later Alloa. She suffered several relatively minor mishaps and was last listed in 1859.

Career William Dawson first appeared in Lloyd's Register (LR), in 1813.LR (1812), Supple. pages "W", Seq.noW51.

Year Master Owner Trade Source 1812 Ferguson Bolton Liverpool–St Croix LR

On 13 April 1813, William Dawson, William Ashton, and Mary captured the American schooner Miranda, which was on her way from Kennebunk to Cuba. The three British ships were coming from St Croix. However, the United States privateer Paul Jones recaptured Miranda, only to have recapture her.

Year Master Owner Trade Source 1816 Furguson J.Bolton Liverpool–Demerara LR 1818 FurgusonJ.Scott J.Bolton Liverpool–DemeraraLiverpool–Calcutta LR

In 1813 the British East India Company (EIC) had lost its monopoly on the trade between India and Britain. British ships were then free to sail to India or the Indian Ocean under a licence from the EIC.

William Dawson sailed in April 1818 for Bengal.LR (1818), "Licensed India Ships". On 19 July 1818, she was at the Cape of Good Hope, on her way to Bengal. On 2 August she arrived at Bengal. In January 1819, Lloyd's List reported that a heavily laden vessel had run foul of William Dawson, Scott, master, in the Hooghly River. William Dawson had to go into dock for repairs. She sailed from the Sand Heads on 19 November, the Cape on 13 January 1820, and arrived at Liverpool on 22 March. Here cargo included sugar, saltpeter, ginger, wheat, and the like.

Year Master Owner Trade Source & notes 1819 J.ScottW.Brown J.Bolton Liverpool–CalcuttaLiverpool–Demerara LR; repairs 1819 1821 W.BrownGradwellJ.Bamber Bolton & Co. Liverpool–Demerara LR; repairs 1819

On 25 August 1822 William Dawson, Bamber, master, put into St. Pierre, Martinique. She had been on her way from Demerara to Liverpool when she lost her masts on 21 August between Barbados and Martinique. She had sailed from Demerara on 15 August. She sailed from Martinique on 9 September and arrived at Liverpool on 21 October

Year Master Owner Trade Source & notes 1823 J.BamberHutchinson Bolton & Co. Liverpool–Demerara LR; repairs 1819 1824 Hutchinson Hurry & Co. Liverpool–Miramichi LR; repairs 1819

By one report, on 8 May 1824 Matthew and Thomas foundered in the Atlantic Ocean. William Dawson rescued all aboard. However, Lloyd's List only reported that she had arrived at Holyhead from Miramichi, having spoke with several vessels, including Matthew and Thomas before Matthew and Thomas had foundered.

Year Master Owner Trade Source & notes 1825 Hutchinson Hurry & Co. Liverpool–New Brunswick LR; repairs 1819 1826 Hutchinson Gibson & Co. Liverpool–Boston LR; repairs 1819 1827 Hutchinson Gibson & Co. Liverpool–Quebec LR; repairs 1819 1828 Hutchinson Gibson & Co. Liverpool–Charleston LR; repairs 1819 1829 HutchinsonE.Mitchell Gibson & Co. Liverpool–Charleston LR; repairs 1819 1829 E.Mitchell Gibson & Co. Liverpool–New Brunswick LR; repairs 1819 1831 E.Mitchell Mitchell & Co. Liverpool–Miramichi LR; repairs 1819

On 14 July 1831 William Dawson, Mitchell, master, on her way from Miramichi to Shields, went on shore at Goswick, near Holy Island.

Year Master Owner Trade Source & notes 1832 E.Mitchell Mitchell & Co. Liverpool–Miramichi LR; repairs 1819, & new wales and damages repaired 1832 1833 E.Mitchell Mitchell & Co. Leith–Alloa LR; repairs 1819, & new wales and damages repaired 1832 1834 Beveridge Mitchell & Co. Leith–Miramichi LR; large repair 1832 & new deck 1834 1836 Beveridge Mitchell & Co. Clyde–QuebecLeith–North America LR; large repair 1832, new deck 1834, & some repairs 1836

On 20 April 1836 William Dawson, Beveridge, master, had to put into Greenock as she had sprung a leak. She was on her way from Alloa to Quebec.

Year Master Owner Trade Source & notes 1838 Beveridge Mitchell & Co. Leith–North America LR; large repair 1832, new deck 1834, some repairs 1836, & new keel and some repairs 1838

On 19 May 1841 a gale at Quebec severely damaged William Dawson.

Year Master Owner Trade Source & notes 1843 Beveridge Mitchell & Co. Leith–North America LR; large repair 1832, new deck 1834, some repairs 1836, new keel and some repairs 1838, & new deck and large repair 1844 1846 BeveridgeD.Spitall Mitchell & Co. Leith–North AmericaLeith–Baltimore LR; large repair 1832, new deck 1834, some repairs 1836, new keel and some repairs 1838, new deck and large repair 1844, & some repairs 1847 1848 J.White Mitchell & Co. Clyde–New Brunswick LR; large repair 1832, new deck 1834, some repairs 1836, new keel and some repairs 1838, new deck and large repair 1844, & some repairs 1847 1850 J.White Mitchell LR 1851 T.Beveridge Mitchell & Co. Leith–Quebec LR; large repair 1832, new deck 1834, some repairs 1836, new keel and some repairs 1838, new deck and large repair 1844, & some repairs 1847 & 1851 1853 T.Beveridge Mitchell & Co. LR 1854 R.Mitchell Mitchell & Co. Leith–Quebec LR; new deck and large repair 1844, & some repairs 1847 & 1851 1857 W.Ness Mitchell & Co. Leith–Quebec LR; new deck and large repair 1844, some repairs 1847 & 1851, & damages repaired 1855 1859 W.Ness Mitchell LR

Fate William Dawson was last listed in the volume of Lloyd's Register for 1859.

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