Albion was launched at Topsham, Devon, in 1800. She spent most of her career sailing between London and Jamaica. After 1814 she held a license from the British East India Company to trade with India, but she does not appear to have availed herself of the option. In 1814 the American privateer Brutus captured Albion, but the British recaptured her within a few days. She was condemned at Charleston, South Carolina, and broken up in 1816.
Career Albion first appears in Lloyd's Register in 1800.Lloyd's Register (1800), Seq.№703.
Year Master Owner Trade 1800 G.Potbury J. Hayman Exeter—London 1801 PostburyJ. Hayman Hayman London transportLondon—Jamaica 1802 J.HaymanC. Warden Hayman London—Cape of Good Hope 1803 J.HaymanC. Warden Hayman London—Cape of Good HopeLondon—Jamaica 1804 C. WardenJ. Antrobus Haman Cork—JamaicaLondon—Jamaica 1805 J.AntrobusButler Hayman London—Jamaica 1806 J.AntrbusButler Hayman London—Jamaica 1807 Butler Hayman London—Jamaica 1808 Butler Hayman London—Jamaica 1809 Butler Hayman London—Jamaica 1810 ButlerDeanham HaymanHiggins London—Jamaica 1811 DenhamA. Smith Higgins London—Jamaica 1812 A. SmithA. M'Neil Higgins London—Jamaica 1813 A. M'NeilL. Hall Higgins London—Jamaica 1814 L.HallSkolding Higgins London—Jamaica
Capture and recapture On 25 December 1814, towards the end of the War of 1812, the American privateer schooner Brutus captured Albion, "Skoulding", master, off the coast of Ireland as Albion was sailing to Bermuda from England. Brutus was armed with 12 guns and had a crew of 120 men. Even so, Albion resisted for some two hours.Lloyd's List №4935.
Brutus, of Boston, was under the command of Captain William Austin. American records indicate that at the time of capture Albion, of 350 tons, was armed with eight guns and had a crew of 15 men. Her captors estimated the value of Albions cargo at $200,000. Austin put a prize crew on board her and sent her to America.
However, on 7 January 1815 Harlequin, Allen, master, recaptured Albion, "Scolding", master, at and sent her into Liverpool.Lloyd's List №4939.
Year Master Owner Trade Source 1815 J.Skelding Higgins London—Jamaica 1816 J.SkeldingW.Curry Higgins London—Jamaica
Fate As Albion was sailing from Jamaica to London, Curry had to put into Havana on 18 October, having sprung a leak. She landed and sold 70 hogsheads of sugar. She was expected to sail again on 18 November.Lloyd's List №5037.
Curry did not get far. Albion put into Charleston in some distress. At Charleston the surveyors condemned her as unseaworthy. She was sold on 11 January 1816 for breaking up. Her cargo was put on , Wilson, master.Lloyd's List №5052.
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