Alexander (1803 Liverpool)

For other ships with the same name, see Alexander (East Indiaman) and Alexander (ship).

History
British East India Company
NameAlexander
Owner
  • Voyage 1: George F. Clay
  • Voyages 2&3: Felix Clay
  • Voyage 4: John Hotson
  • Voyages 5&6:James Mangles
  • Voyage 7: Robert Mangles
BuilderGrayson, Liverpool
Launched22 April 1803
FateSold 1817
General characteristics [1]
TypeEast Indiaman
Tons burthen614,[2] or 61448⁄94[3] (bm)
Length
  • Overall: 128 ft (39.0 m)
  • Keel: 102 ft 5 in (31.2 m)
Beam33 ft 7 in (10.2 m)
Depth of hold12 ft 10 in (3.9 m)
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Complement55–65 men[2]
Armament18 × 12-pounder carronades initially; later 18 × 12-pounder guns[2]

Alexander was launched in 1803 at Liverpool, but contracted to the Honourable East India Company (EIC), which took her measurements in 1804, and which rated her as an East Indiaman of "600 tons". She made seven trips for the company before she was sold; during her service she was variously referred to as an "extra" ship, one that the Company chartered for particular voyages, and as a "regular" ship, i.e., one that the Company held on long-term contract. When she sailed during wartime she sailed under letters of marque, which authorised her to use her armaments offensively against enemy, i.e., French vessels, and not just defensively. She was sold in 1817.

  1. ^ British Library: Alexander (3)..
  2. ^ a b c Letter of Marque, 1793–1815; p.40."Archived item". Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  3. ^ Hackman (2001), p. 58.