Molly was launched in the Thirteen Colonies in 1759, probably under the same name. From 1776 on she was a whaler, sailing to the northern whale fishery from Kingston-on-Hull. She made annual whaling voyages until 1806 when a French frigate captured her.

Career Molly first appeared in an online copy of Lloyd's Register in 1776.LR (1776), Seq.No.M410. Although there is no readily accessible data on her career before 1775, apparently she had made 32 annual whaling voyages prior to her capture in 1806, which suggests that she had been whaling since 1774. She made the sixth most whaling voyages of any northern whale fishery whaler.

The whaling season lasted from March to July–August, or so. Favourable conditions could result in short seasons; in 1799 Molly sailed to Greenland on 17 March and returned to Hull 87 days later, on 12 June, with a good catch. When not whaling, the vessels would frequently engage in the coal or Baltic trades, though with a crew a third of the size of that they required for whaling.

Year Master Owner Trade Source 1776 Jn.Potts B.ThompsonB.Blaydes Memel–HullHull–Greenland LR

Captain Potts remained Mollys master until 1786.

Year Master Whales Tuns whale oil Seals 1775 0 0 0 1776 Potts 3 28.25 0 1777 Potts 6 110 0 1778 2 36.5 0 1779 Potts 11 92 15 1780 Potts 9 70 0 1781 Potts 7 100.5 0 1782 Potts 14 87.5 0 1783 8 60 0 1784 100.5 1785 Potts 1 24.5 0

Year Master Owner Trade Source 1786 PottsEdward Hall Tong & Co. Hull–Greenland LR; good repair 1774, & new wales 1782

Year Master Whales Tuns whale oil Seals 1786 Hall 9 427 1787 Hall 4 86.5 0

In 1787 Molly was in Greenland when she took an extremely large whale.

That same year gathered one whale. However, Molly claimed it. The matter went to court and on 30 November 1787 the judge found for the plaintiff. The judge awarded Molly £478.

Year Master Whales Tuns whale oil Seals 1788 Hall 7 60 7 1789 Hall 1 9 140 1790 8 88 0 1791 Hall 1792 Hall 3 35 0 1793 Hall 9 66.5 0 1794 Hall

Year Master Owner Trade Source & notes 1795 E.HallN.Newham Gilder & Co. Hull–Greenland LR; good repair 1774, new wales 1782, damages repaired 1790, & good repair 1793

Year Master Whales Tuns whale oil Seals 1795 Newham

Year Master Owner Trade Source & notes 1796 NewhamA.Sadler Gilder & Co. Hull–Greenland LR; good repair 1774, new wales 1782, damages repaired 1790, & good repair 1793

Year Master Whales Tuns whale oil Seals 1796 Sadler 8 98 0 1797 Sadler 12 (full ship) 150 0 1798 1799 Sadler 11 (full ship) 176.5 0 1800 Sadler 13 131.75 0 1801 Sadler 29 219 0 1802 16 204.25 0 1803 Sadler 7 167.5 0 1804 19 192.5 0 1805 Sadler 18 140 18 1806 Sadler 0 0 0

Fate In 1806 Molly was attempting to "double the ice", in fog, when she encountered the , which captured her. Lloyd's List reported in July 1806 that the frigate had captured the whalers Lion, of Liverpool, and Molly, of Hull. In August Lloyd's List reported that a French frigate had taken Molly, Sadler.

In 1806, 40 vessels sailed for the whale fisheries. Molly had made 32 whaling voyages, making her among the most long-lived whalers.

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