Chance (1786 London ship)

Chance was a schooner launched in Virginia in 1779, probably under another name. From 1786 she traded between England and Africa, though may have traded in slaves within African waters. A tornado on 28 March 1789 upset her. Her crew were saved, but 22 of 33 slaves onboard died.

For other ships with the same name, see Chance (ship).

History
Great Britain
NameUnknown
Launched1779
Acquired1786
RenamedChance (1786)
FateUpset 28 March 1789
General characteristics
Tons burthen70 (bm)
Sail planSchooner

Career

Chance first appeared in Lloyd's Register (LR) in 1786.

Year Master Owner Trade Source & notes
1786 Anderson Miles & Co. London–Africa LR
1787 Anderson
Proudfoot		 Miles & Co. London–Africa LR; raised and repairs 1787

In 1787 she reportedly reached the Îles de Los before returning to Portsmouth and then Gravesend on 10 July. On 28 August she again sailed for Africa. By 16 August 1788 she had returned to Gravesend. On 1 October she sailed for Africa.

Fate

Chance, Proudfoot, master, was off Dixcove when a tornado on 28 March 1789 pushed her on her side. The crew was saved in her boats.[1]

When Chance upset she was carrying 33 slaves and 50 ounces of gold dust. All the whites saved themselves by taking to her boats. They expected that Chance would go to pieces, drowning any slaves still alive as the slaves were locked below decks. Chance drifted out to sea. Fifty-seven hours later she was 20 leagues from where she had upset when Hinde, Harvey, master, came upon her. Captain Thomas Harvey sent a boat and some men to investigate the hulk. When the men heard groaning they sent for axes and were able to cut holes in Chance through which they were able to rescue 11 still living slaves. Some of these slaves were chained to dead slaves and the sailors had to cut the arms and legs off the dead to free the still living. A few days later Chance drifted on shore between the towns of Exim and Princess. Inhabitants from the two towns salvaged the gold and fought over the wreckage.[2]

Citations
  1. "The Marine List". Lloyd's List. No. 2102. 26 June 1789. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  2. Archenholtz (1789), p. 115.

References
  • von Archenholtz, I.W., ed. (1789). The British Mercury Or Annals of History, Politics, Manners, Literature, Arts Etc. of the British Empire. Vol. 10.
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