2 × 12-pounder guns + 16 × 12-pounder guns "of the New Construction"[2]
Memphis was a French prize that in 1805 became a whaler in the British Southern Whale Fishery. She made one voyage as a whaler and then disappeared in 1807 early in the outbound leg of her second whaling voyage.
Career
Memphis entered Lloyd's Register (LR) in 1806 with Hitchman, master, Jacobs & Co., owners, and trade London–South Seas. She was a French prize.[2] Captain Thomas Hitchman acquired a letter of Marque on 6 December 1805.[3] In late 1805 or early 1806 he sailed her on a whaling voyage. On her way home she was at St Helena on 6 January 1807.[4]Lloyd's List (LL) reported on 20 February that Memphis, Heitchman, master, had been driven ashore at Oldhaven, but that she was expected to be gotten off.[5] Four days later LL reported that she had indeed been refloated.[6]Memphis arrived back at London on 13 February.[4]
Fate
On 19 June 1807, Memphis sailed from Gravesend for Montevideo.[7] On 24 June she passed by Portsmouth, as did Hero, Gardner, master, and Pandora, Anderson, master, all three whalers bound for the River Plate.[8] On 13 July the three vessels passed by Madeira, still bound for the Plate.[9]
Memphis was last sighted on 25 July 1807 while sailing from Madeira to the South Seas. There was no further trace of her thereafter; she was presumed to have foundered with the loss of all hands.[10]
Clayton, Jane M (2014). Ships employed in the South Sea Whale Fishery from Britain: 1775–1815: An alphabetical list of ships. Berforts Group. ISBN9781908616524.
