Rachael was launched in 1810 at Hilton (possibly South Hylton) or Sunderland, and apparently was initially registered and based at Greenock. In 1812, an American privateer captured her in a notable single-ship action, but the British Royal Navy recaptured her almost immediately. She then continued as a general trader and was last listed in 1833.
Career Rachel first appeared in Lloyd's Register (LR) with C.R.Lyon, master, M'Gowan, owner, and trade Greenock–Newfoundland.LR (1812), Supple. pages "R", Seq.№58.
War between the United Kingdom and the United States having broken out, Captain Ninian Dalmahoy acquired a letter of marque against the United States for Rachel, of Greenock. It is not clear when he assumed command of her. On 27 October 1812 Rachel, Dalmahoy, master, was in the Bay of Biscay, bound to La Guaira.Lloyd's List (LL) 4 December 1812, №4725. Dalmahoy died on the voyage and as she arrived at La Guaira her first mate, named Alexander, was captain.
When she arrived off La Guaira she had been at sea for 57 days. At La Guaira on 11 December, she had the misfortune to encounter the American privateer schooner , of 16 guns and 140 men.LL 26 February 18114, №4759.
After an engagement of about half an hour, Rachel struck. The British had two men killed, including Alexander, and two men wounded, one of whom died shortly thereafter; only two men from Saratoga were wounded. The next day, being short of water, the Americans released twenty-seven of the prisoners and sent them into La Guaira in a longboat. They kept four of the prisoners on Rachel and two on Saratoga.
On 12 (or 15) December encountered Rachel and recaptured her,LL 12 March 1813, №4554. together with the 12-man prize crew of Americans. The British took the Americans on board Fawn and put a six-man prize crew on board Rachel, which they sent into Jamaica, where the Vice admiralty court condemned her as a prize. Fawn went into La Guaira and picked up Rachels crew, all of whom agreed to serve on Fawn, though some apparently deserted shortly thereafter.1812 Privateers - accessed 19 December 2013.
Rachel arrived back in the Clyde on 27 January 1814,LL 1 February 1814, №4842, Ship arrival and departure (SAD) data. and again, with M'Call, master, on 8 July 1814.LL 12 July 1814, SAD data.
Year Master Owner Trade Source & notes 1815 D.Hogg Watson & Co. Greenock–Newfoundland LR 1820 J.DaviesMustard Duff & Company Plymouth–Jamaica LR 1825 J.Cooper Armstrong Hull-Petersburg LR; large repair 1820 & repairs 1821 1830 D.Irving Armstrong Exmouth–Quebec LR; good repair 1828 & keel and damage repair 1829 1833 D.Irving Armstrong Cork–Montreal LR; good repair 1828 & keel and damage repair 1829
Fate Rachel was last listed in 1833.
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