Neptune

Neptune was a three-decker East Indiaman launched in 1780 at Deptford. She made five voyages for the British East India Company (EIC), the last one transporting convicts to Port Jackson as one of the vessels of the notorious Second Fleet. This voyage resulted in a private suit against the master and chief officer for wrongful death. A fire and explosion in 1796 at Cape Town destroyed Neptune. EIC voyages EIC voyage #1 (1780-1783) Captain Robert Scott left Portsmouth on 3 June 1780, bound for Madras, Bengal, and Bombay. On 29 September she reached Rio de Janeiro, and arrived at Madras on 10 January 1781. From there she sailed to Bengal, arriving at Kedgeree on 12 March. On 7 May she was at Barrabulla, also in the Hooghli River, before returning to Kedgeree on 20 May. Leaving Bengal she was at Barrabulla again on 15 September. On 6 October she reached Madras, on 21 October Negapatam, on 17 December Bombay, on 11 April 1782 Tellicherry, on 27 April Calicut, on 6 May Tellicherry again, and on 28 May Bombay again. Homeward bound, on 31 January 1783 Neptune was at St Helena, and she arrived at The Downs on 8 August. EIC voyage #2 (1784-1785) Captain George Scott left The Downs on 26 March 1784, bound for Bombay. By 29 July Neptune had reached Johanna, and she arrived at Bombay on 24 August. She arrived at Tellicherry on 23 October, before returning to Bombay on 9 November. Homeward bound, she reached Cochin on 7 April 1785, and St Helena on 5 July, before arriving at The Downs on 5 September.