Devonshire

Posted by Cliff Thornton on Monday 10th of October 2022 15:51

In September 2022, Hordern House Antique Books, were offering a hand-written letter by Captain James Cook of HMS Resolution. The letter alleged that the Devonshire had enticed aboard one of Cook's crew, a James Keaton, and Cook was requesting his return. The letter is dated 9 March 1772, at which time Resolution was fitting out in the River Thames at the Naval Yard, so presumably Devonshire was also nearby in the Thames?

Posted by West Marshall on Monday 28th of October 2019 18:52

On 14 April 1772 or thereabout, the “Devonshire” sailed from Portsmouth. Arthur Anderson West, my great grandfather, described the journey thus: It was rather a tedious voyage. They called at St Jago and stayed there a fortnight to ship wine. Soon after leaving that island they lost the trade wind, and made very slow progress. There was very little rough weather except at the Cape. They then touched at Johana in the Mozambique Channel on 27 August, after which a fever broke out in the ship, causing several deaths among the crew and passengers. Later on they called at Cochin, where a melancholy accident occurred. A party of the officers and passengers visiting the shore by invitation of the Governor, when landing in the ship’s boat were overset in the surf. Mrs Blomer, her two servants and Mr Moon, passengers, the second mate, doctor, purser, and a seaman were drowned. ... At length the “Devonshire” anchored in Bombay harbour on 10 Nov. 1772, seven months, less four days, after sailing from England.