Northampton (c.1740)
| Career | .svg.png){kind=small}  |
|---|---|
| Name: | Northampton |
| Fate: | Foundered 1744 |
| General characteristics [1] | |
| Tons burthen: | 498 (bm) |
| Propulsion: | Sail |
| Complement: | 99 |
| Armament: | 30 guns |
Northampton made one voyage in 1741 for the British East India Company (EIC) and was on a second voyage in 1744 when she foundered. For both voyages she was under the command of Captain Duncomb Backwell. It is not clear whether she was an East Indiaman, or a merchant vessel that the EIC chartered as an extra ship.
- Early evidence
Lloyd's List reported that Northampton, Bagwell, master, had arrived at Gravesend on 26 February 1740 from the East Indies.[2] Lloyd's List further reported that Bagwell and Northampton sailed for China on 14 March 1740 from Portsmouth.[3]
- Voyage 1
Northampton left the Downs on 12 March 1741, bound for China. She arrived at Whampoa on 12 August. On the return leg of her voyage she traversed the Bocca Tigris on 31 December, reached the Cape on 13 April 1742, and St Helena on 25 May.[1] The Indiamen Northampton, Queen Caroline, Halifax, Royal George, Kent, Scarborough, and snow Swift left St Helena on 26 June, together with their escorts, HMS Argyl and HMS Lynn. They arrived safe off of Dover on 16 September.[4] Northampton arrived at Woolwich on 3 October.[1]
- Voyage 2 and loss
Northampton left the Nore on 20 July 1744, bound for Bombay and China. She was in company with Hardwick, but they parted during a violent storm about 50 leagues east of Bourbon. Northampton was not heard of again.