Red Dragon (1595)

Red Dragon, Captain Lancaster, in the Strait of Malacca, Anno 1602.
History
English Ensign East India Company EnsignEngland
Name
  • Scourge of Malice (1595–1600)
  • Red Dragon (1601–unknown)
OwnerEarl of Cumberland (1595–1600)
OperatorEast India Company (1601–1619)
BuilderDeptford Dockyard
Launched1595
Honours and
awards
FateSunk by Dutch fleet, 1619
General characteristics
TypeArmed ship
Tons burthen600–900, or 960[1] (bm)
PropulsionSails
Armament

Scourge of Malice or Malice Scourge or Mare Scourge was a 38-gun ship ordered by George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland. She was built and launched at Deptford Dockyard in 1595. The Earl used her as his flagship during raids on the Spanish Main, where she provided additional force to support his fleet. She was later renamed Red Dragon; the East India Company used her for at least five voyages to the East Indies. The first recorded non-European performance of the play Hamlet took place on Red Dragon in 1607 while she was anchored off the coast of Sierra Leone.[3]

  1. ^ Hackman (2001), p. 40.
  2. ^ Grey (1932), pp36–37.
  3. ^ Jack, Alex, ed. (2005). Hamlet: History and commentary Volume 2 of Hamlet, Christopher Marlowe by Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare. Amber Waves. p. 53. ISBN 9780970891365.