Fanny (1812 privateer)
| History | |
|---|---|
 Denmark–Norway
|
|
| Builder: | Norway |
| Launched: | 1807 |
| Captured: | c.1810 |
 United Kingdom
|
|
| Name: | Fanny |
| Owner: |
|
| Acquired: | 1811 |
| Captured: | 19 April 1814; recaptured 18 May 1814 |
| Fate: | Last listed 1833 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen: | 387 (bm) |
| Sail plan: | 3 masts |
| Complement: | 45 |
| Armament: |
|
Fanny was launched in Norway in 1807 under an unknown name and was captured around 1810 during the Gunboat War. She entered English records in 1811 as an armed merchantman that sailed between Liverpool and South America. On 19 April 1814, the American privateer schooner General Armstrong captured her, though shortly thereafter the British Royal Navy recaptured her. The insurance and marine salvage issues involved gave rise to three notable court cases. Fanny returned to the West Indies trade in 1815 under new owners. She was last listed in 1833.
Fanny first appears in Lloyd's Register in 1811. She underwent coppering and a thorough repair that year. Her master was Huntley and her owner Harrison. Her trade was first Brazil and then Liverpool—Brazil.
In 1812, James Laughton replaced Huntley as Fanny's master. Also, W.Begg replaced Harrison as owner.
On 5 December 1812 Laughton acquired a letter of marque against America for Fanny.
Fanny sailed from Falmouth 26 August 1813 to Rio de Janeiro in convoy with about 30 other vessels and a Royal Navy escort. For the return voyage, Laughton sought permission from the station admiral to return home without convoy. (Convoying reduced the sailing speed of the average vessel by 0.2 to 0.6 knots. Captains of faster vessels therefore had an incentive to sail outside the convoy system.) Laughton hired thirty additional men and took on board some additional arms. The station admiral thought Fanny was competent to defend herself and permitted the solo voyage. On 8 March 1814 Fanny left Maranham for Liverpool.
At about midday on 18 April, Fanny was near the Irish coast when General Armstrong, captain Guy R. Champlin, from New York City, sighted her. Due to squally weather, General Armstrong did not immediately engage, but shadowed Fanny until early the following day, when General Armstrong closed to pistol shot range and opened fire. The faster and better armed privateer inflicted significant damage on Fanny, the privateer's long 42-pounder gun being particularly devastating.
...
Wikipedia