Otter (1807 ship)

The Otter was a ship built in America in 1799. It first became known for its work as a whaler, making three long journeys to hunt whales before it began trading in the Mediterranean Sea.

During its time trading in the Mediterranean, the ship faced danger when it was captured by the French in 1813. This event marked the end of its recorded journey in shipping records.

Though many ships shared the same name, the Otter played a small but interesting role in the sea voyages and trade of the early 1800s.

Career

The ship Otter was first recorded in the shipping register in 1809. She was owned by Enderby and traded between London and the Southern Fishery.

Otter made three trips to hunt whales. On her first trip in 1807, she sailed to the Brazil Banks. Her second trip in 1808 also went to the Brazil Banks, and she traveled with another ship named Swan. They visited places like Madeira and Bouvet Island, but could not land on Bouvet Island because of ice. Later, Otter arrived at Port Jackson, New South Wales, carrying sperm oil. Her third trip in 1809 went near New Zealand and she returned in 1811.

After her third trip, Otter was sold. In 1812, she was recorded in another shipping register, now trading between London and Smyrna.

Fate

The ship Otter was captured by a French privateer named Babiole on November 26, 1813. Otter was sailing back to London from a place called Smyrna when this happened. The ship later arrived in Toulon on December 5.

Origins

Some sources say that the ship Otter was an American vessel called Little William, but this seems to be a mistake. The Royal Navy did hold an American ship named Little William because they thought it planned to break a British rule about some rivers. A court decided that Little William should be given back to its owners, saying the captain may have been a bit careless but did not break the rule.

The mix-up between Little William and Otter might come from old records. One record shows Otter arriving at a place called Gravesend on May 7, 1808, from Philadelphia. Another record mentions a ship called St. Ann arriving the same day from Portsmouth. The court case about Little William also talked about a ship named Betsy, but that case was different.