Beaver (1805)
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States of America
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| Name: | Beaver |
| Owner: | John Jacob Astor |
| Operator: | Cornelius Sowle |
| Builder: | Eckford & Beebe |
| Laid down: | 1803 |
| Launched: | 1805 |
| Acquired: | 1806 |
| Fate: | Broken up around 1850 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | bark |
| Displacement: | 427 tons |
| Length: | 107 ft (33 m) |
| Propulsion: | Sail, 3 masted |
Beaver was a 427-ton merchant ship owned by John Jacob Astor that was in service from 1806 to the middle of the century.
Beaver was designed for John Jacob Astor by Eckford & Beebe, with working being completed in 1805. The ship sailed to the Qing Empire in 1806 and was captained by Isaac Chauncey. Upon entering the Bocca Tigris the Beaver was detained by HMS Phaeton. One of the sailors was forcibly impressed onto the Phaeton as he was recognised as a British citizen. After this incident the Beaver entered the port of Guangzhou and "a full load of Teas, Nankeens & China" was purchased. Shortly after leaving the Bocc Tigris another Royal Navy ship, HMS Lion, ordered the ship to stop. Tensions arose when Chauncey refused to allow any further impressment of his crew. However that evening the Beaver was allowed to depart back to New York City. The voyage was a success and brought Astor a sizable profit.
Eventually the Beaver was planned as an additional supply ship for Astor's developing Pacific Fur Company (PFC). Along with the Tonquin, the Beaver was a critical part of Astor's plans in expanding operations in the Maritime Fur Trade. The ship sailed from New York City to the Pacific Northwest on 10 October 1811 with Cornelius Sowle as its captain. The additional company employees brought included Ross Cox and Alfred Seton. Fort Astoria was reached on 9 May 1812 after crossing the Columbia Bar. At Astoria news about the destruction of the Tonquin by members of the Tla-o-qui-aht nation was confirmed.
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