Kent

Posted by Jon Miller on Tuesday 28th of July 2026 10:18

London, 18 February 1802: Mr Richard Michod, who was second officer of the Honourable Company’s late ship the Kent, at the time of her capture by Surcouff, in the Bay of Bengal, is appointed Chief Officer of the Company’s extra ship the Fame, proceeding to India this season.

Posted by Jon Miller on Tuesday 28th of July 2026 10:18

London, 18 February 1802: We are happy to state the re-capture of the Honourable East India Company’s late ship the Kent; letters from Bengal announce her safe arrival at Trincomalee; she is said to have aboard the cargoes of two vessels. [Morning Chronicle, 18 February 1802]

Posted by Jon Miller on Friday 29th of May 2026 08:34

London, 4 March 1801: A correct list of passengers on board the Kent: -
James Richard Barwell, writer, Bengal; John Andrew, assistant surgeon, Madras; Anthony Blagrave, writer, Bengal; William Franks, free mariner, Bengal; J William Puller, writer, Bengal, killed; John Ewer, son of the late Director, writer, Bengal, wounded; Charles Wake, assistant surgeon, Bengal; William Cator, free merchant, Bengal, killed; William Raymond Barker, writer, Bengal; William Eaton, native, Bengal; Mrs Cator, Miss Cator, Elizabeth Tennet, her governess, Bengal; Mr Henry Gibson, assistant surgeon, Bengal, wounded; J Thomas Henry Graham, writer, son to the member of the Provisional Counsellor at Bengal, killed.
Cadets – Christopher Chambre, Bengal; William Nott, Bengal; Fred Alex West, Bengal; W Henry Tippett, Madras; C Jackson Doveton, Bengal; Henry H Harris, Bengal; Edward Simons, Bengal; Henry Puller, Bengal; William Middleton, Edward Brown, John Henry Warner, John Hunter Littler, Henry Sparkes, Henry Mordaunt, Alex Armstrong, W Coll, James Clark, Bengal, wounded.
Ensign Byne, 76th regiment, wounded.
Capt Rivington, commander of the Kent, killed.
Mr John Fairly, carpenter, killed; W Baizely, boatswain’s mate, killed; Robert Youl, 3d Mate, and John Tween, 4th Mate, dangerously wounded.
Passengers from the Queen – Mr Benjamin Titchburn, cadet, and Richard Sherwood, assistant surgeon, Madras, dangerously wounded; they could not be removed, Robert Moore, Cadet, Madras, killed; Alex Pentland, cadet, severely wounded; Charles Gahagan, cadet, severely wounded; Chas Mitchell, cadet, severely wounded; and Lewis S Smith, cadet, wounded.
Capt Andrew Pilkington, Aid-de-Camp to General St John, wounded severely.
Ensign Henry Palmer, of his Majesty’s 10th regiment, wounded dangerously.
Killed 11, wounded, 44, total, 55. [London Packet, 4 March 1801]

Posted by Jon Miller on Friday 29th of May 2026 01:44

London, 13 March: Mr Cator, who was unfortunately killed on board the Company’s ship Kent, in the action with La Confiance, in the Bay of Bengal, on the 7th of October last, defended himself with the greatest bravery. Though frequently entreated to leave the decks, yet he obstinately refused, and his whole conduct indicated the utmost firmness. Capt Pilkington, Aide-de-Camp to Major-General St John, and Ensign Palmer, of his Majesty’s 10th regiment together with the principal part of the other gentlemen who were passengers, received the first assault of the boarders. [London Packet, 13 March 1801]