DUNDAS-L Archives

From: "Lisa Bradwell Goad" <>
Subject: Ralph Dundas & "Royal Henry"
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 2000 18:03:09 -0400

Hi, everyone...

One of my gg-grandparents' sons was named Royal Henry -- so when I noticed a
ship of the same name on the "Seafaring Dundases" list posted several weeks
ago (compiled by Pauline Mcgragor Currien) I made further inquiry. Seems the
ship's Captain was Ralph Dundas (3rd & 4th voyages) -- believe I've seen
several Ralph Dundases listed in Burke's under the "Manour" line, however,
have no idea if this is the same, and, to my knowledge there were no Ralphs
in my own Dundas family. Further, cannot solve the puzzle as it was my
gg-grandfather who, allegedly, was born on a ship in the East Indies in
1837 -- long after the "Royal Henry" was out of commission and his son,
Royal Henry, was born in Brooklyn, not on a ship. Does anyone else on the
list have a Royal Henry Dundas or Ralph Dundas in their charts? If so, here
is Pauline's research on ship & Captain:

Had a brief chance to see the book by Anthony Farrington on ship's voyages
and Logs and the book on East India Company ships by Hardy so I noted the
following about "Royal Henry". It was built by Dudman in 1771. Principal
managing owner was Thomas LANE.

1. It's first voyage was in 1771/2 from Portsmouth to Madras and China
under Captain Robert ROUS. It's Journal, Ledger and pay book are at OIOC.

2. It's second voyage started in 1775/6 and was again to Madras and China
under Captain Robert ROUS. Again the Journal, Ledger and Paybook are at
OIOC. 1st Mate John NORMAN, 2nd Mate Henry WAKEMAN, 3rd Mate Joseph DORIN,
4th Mate Edward WALKER. The surgeon was Gawin TURNBULL, Purser Richard
LOCKYER Returned 1777.

3. The third voyage about which you are more interested in Lisa, started
in 1777/8 to Bombay, Madras, Bengal and China under Captain Ralph DUNDAS
.1st Mate was John HONAN, 2nd Mate Henry WAKEMAN, 3rd Mate Edward WALKER,
4th Mate Alexander GRAY. Surgeon Gavin TURNBULL, Purser Joseph DORIN. Its
Journal Ref L/MAR B/476 C , Ledger L/MAR B 476G(1), and Pay Book L/MAR/B
476G (2) are at OIOC. It sailed from Portsmouth April 1778 via Madeira,
Johanna, Bombay, Onore, Cochin, Madras, Kedgeree, Cockalee, Malacca,
Whampoa, Second Bar, Malacca, St Augustine Bay, Cape, St Helena, and back to
the Downs in 1781. There is a note to say there are also colour sketches of
the straits of Malacca included in the papers.

4. 4th Journey also under Captain Ralph DUNDAS to Bombay, Madras and China
set off from Portsmouth in Feb 1782 via Rio de Janeiro, Bombay, Madras,
Tellicherry, Onore, Bombay, Whampoa, Second Bar, St Helena and then the
Downs again 1784. I have not got the crew or officer list for this journey
but it will be in the Ledger ref L/MAR/B 476H (1), Journal L/MAR B 476 D,Pay
Book L/MAR B476 H (2) , Imprest Book L/MAR/B 476 H (3) and Absence book
L/MAR B 476 H (4) all still in existence at OIOC.

No other mention of this ship is apparent unless there is another ship
altogether of same name and Listed at Lloyds. Captain Ralph Dundas did
however go on to Captain the "Prince William Henry" to Bombay and Bengal in
1788 and 1789 but I do not know any more on that ship. Incidentally I have
seen the surname Turkington but can't remember where. I think he was
another ship's Captain. Perhaps someone else knows.
Pauline

This thread:

• Ralph Dundas & "Royal Henry" by "Lisa Bradwell Goad" <>