Tonquin (1807)
.png)
The Tonquin being boarded by Tla-o-qui-aht.
|
|
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States of America
|
|
| Owner: | Edmund Fanning |
| Operator: | Edmund Fanning |
| Builder: | Adam and Noah Brown |
| Laid down: | 1 March 1807 |
| Launched: | 26 May 1807 |
| Acquired: | 1807 |
| Fate: | Sold to the Pacific Fur Company |
| History | |
|
United States of America
|
|
| Owner: | John Jacob Astor |
| Operator: | Jonathan Thorn |
| Acquired: | 23 August 1810 |
| Fate: | Blown up June 1811 at Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island |
| Sunk: | 1811 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | bark |
| Displacement: | 269 or 290 tons |
| Length: | 96 ft (29 m) |
| Propulsion: | Sail, 3 masted |
| Armament: | 10 guns, fitted for 22 |
The Tonquin was a 290-ton merchant ship initially operated by Fanning & Coles and later the Pacific Fur Company (PFC), a subsidiary of the American Fur Company (AFC). It was at first commanded by Edmund Fanning, who sailed to the Qing Empire for valuable Chinese trade goods in 1807. The vessel was outfitted for another journey to China and then was sold to German-American merchant John Jacob Astor. Included within his intricate plans to assume control over portions of the North American fur trade, the ship was intended to establish and supply PFC outposts on the Pacific Northwest coast. Valuable animal furs purchased and trapped in the region would then be shipped to China, where consumer demand was high for particular pelts.
The Tonquin left for the Columbia River in late 1810 from New York City. From there the vessel sailed across the Atlantic Ocean until reaching the Falkland Islands in December. Captain Jonathan Thorn marooned eight PFC employees there, though they were secured the same day after other men threatened to kill Thorn. After passing the Cape Horn into the Pacific Ocean, the Tonquin visited the Kingdom of Hawaii in February 1811. Sorely needed fresh produce and animal products were purchased and 24 Native Hawaiian Kanakas hired after holding negotiations with Kamehameha I and Kalanimoku. After the royal audience the Tonquin departed for the Columbia River, arriving there on 22 March 1811. In the subsequent days attempts to find a safe route over the Columbia Bar would kill eight men.
...
Wikipedia