Fortune (1805 ship)
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom
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| Name: | Fortune |
| Owner: | Peter Everitt Mestaer |
| Launched: | Spain |
| Acquired: | 1805 by purchase |
| Fate: | Lost c.1814. |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen: | 620, or 626 (bm) |
| Propulsion: | Sail |
| Complement: |
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| Armament: |
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| Notes: | Built of mahogany |
Fortune, also known as La Fortune, was a sailing ship built in Spain. She was taken in prize in 1804. New owners renamed her and she enters British registers in 1805-6. She twice transported convicts from Britain to New South Wales. She was lost c.1814 on her way back from Australia.
Fortune was built in Spain under another name. In 1804 she was taken in prize, condemned, and sold. Mestaer and company purchased her and renamed her. She first appears in the supplemental pages to Lloyd's Register for 1805, and in the Register of Shipping in 1806.
Captain Henry Moore received a letter of marque on 7 January 1806. This authorized him to engage in offensive action against the French, not just defensive, should the opportunity arise.
Captain Moore sailed Fortune from England on 28 January 1806, and arrived at Port Jackson on 27 July. She had been part of a convoy under the escort of Porpoise that included the merchant transports (Lady Madeleine) Sinclair, Elizabeth, Justina, and the fellow convict transport Alexander. The vessels passed Madeira on 25 February and were reported all well on 5 March. She arrived at Rio de Janeiro on 11 April and left on 30 April.
Fortune had embarked 260 male convicts, of whom four died on the voyage. The 8th Royal Veteran Battalion provided the guard, and one member also died on the voyage.
Fortune left Port Jackson on 19 August bound for China.
Captain Thomas Walker received letter of marque against America №106. He sailed Fortune on her second convict voyage to Australia, leaving England on 3 December 1812, and arriving at Port Jackson on 11 June 1813. She stopped at Rio de Janeiro between 3 February and 22 March 1813. She embarked 201 male convicts, of whom five convicts died on the voyage. The 73rd Regiment of Foot provided an officer and 30 rank-and-file to serve as the guard. One soldier died en route.
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