In autumn 1805 a small naval squadron under the orders of Commodore Sir Home Popham escorted a fleet of transports and East Indiamen carrying some 5000 soldiers under the command of Major-general Sir David Baird to attack the Dutch at the Cape of Good Hope. The fleet assembled at Madeira and touched at St. Salvador to replenish supplies. The expedition sailed again on the 26 November, and on 4 January 1806, in the evening, anchored to the west of Robben Island, preparatory to taking the Dutch colony.

The lists below are those that Commodore Home Riggs Popham provided to William Marsden, First Secretary of the Admiralty.

Vessels sailing for the British East India Company These vessels were carrying the 59th Regiment of Foot and recruits for various regiments in India. After the capture of the Cape these vessels sailed on to India or China.

– lost on the expedition

After the Dutch Governor Jansens signed a capitulation on 18 January 1806, and the British established control of the Cape Colony, escorted William Pitt, Jane Dutchess of Gordon, Sir William Pulteney, and Comet to Madras. The convoy included Northampton, Streatham, Europe, Union, Glory, and Sarah Christiana.Lloyd's List, №4059..

Transports Apart from the EIC vessels, the expedition employed a large number of transports specifically for the expedition. These vessels carried the 93rd, 38th, and 24th Regiments of Foot, the Royal Artillery, and dismounted dragoons. The data on burthens and post-invasion disposition comes from Theal.

Vessel Burthen Post-invasion disposition Agnes† 230 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners Amphitrite‡ 288 28 February sailed as cartel to Holland † 448 11 March sailed as cartel with prisoners from Anne 319 Sailed 10 March for England with dispatches 435 Sailed 13 March as a cartel with the crews of the captured ships Atalanta and Napoleon ‡ 472 Sailed 28 February as cartel to Holland 338 11 March sailed as cartel with prisoners from Elisha (or Eliza) Tupper‡ 272 Sailed 28 February as cartel to Holland Elizabeth† 251 Sailed with 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners Fame† 285 Sailed with 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners ‡ 347 Sailed 28 February as cartel to Holland Harbinger 365 Sailed 13 March as a cartel with the crews of Atalanta and Napoleon Harlequin† 220 Sailed with 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners Harriet‡ (or Harriot) 387 Sailed 28 February as cartel to Holland † 549 Sailed with 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners Indefatigable (C)† 217 Sailed with 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners Jack 151 Sailed 21 March with dispatches for Barbados King George Lost outward bound on the expedition Majestic 377 Sailed for Madras 9 February with EIC troops to return with rice and wheat for the colony Melantho 289 Reserved for general service Messenger† 217 Sailed with 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners Ocean 430 Reserved for general service 394 Sailed 7 February for Algoa Bay with troops to load lumber for military works 293 Sailed 20 January with dispatches for England Simpson 354 Sailed for Madras 9 February with EIC troops to return with rice and wheat for the colony ‡ 360 Sailed 28 February as cartel to Holland Traveller† 244 Sailed with 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners Triton 443 Reserved for general service Union 292 Sailed 28 February as cartel to Holland‡ Walker 357 21 March loading with provisions Wellington 339 Reserved for general service Whitby 336 Sailed 28 February to India to get grain for the colony William 447 Sailed for Madras 9 February with EIC troops to return with rice and wheat for the colony Zephyr 342 21 March loading with artillery and stores for False Bay

The 17 vessels in this table and the next with "†" by their name sailed back to Great Britain in convoy under escort by now HMS Volontaire. The seven vessels with "‡" by their name sailed as cartels, repatriating to Holland the Dutch troops captured at the Cape, and their dependents.

Other Vessel Burthen Role Post-invasion disposition Albion (1802 ship)† 201 General baggage and horses 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners Golden Grove† 102 Victualer 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners 239 Victualer Sailed 11 March to Plettenberg Bay to load with timber Sarah† 572 Hospital and medical stores 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners † 282 Victualer 21 March convoy to UK with invalids and Dutch prisoners

Citations

References