General Baird (1801 ship)
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | General Baird |
| Namesake | Sir David Baird, 1st Baronet |
| Builder | Rangoon |
| Launched | 1801,[1] or 1802[2] |
| Fate | Destroyed by fire 29 October 1803 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 550,[2] or 650[3] (bm) |
General Baird was built in Rangoon in 1801 or 1802 as a "country ship", that is, a British ship that traded east of the Cape of Good Hope. Her master was W. Fleming, and her owner Fairlie, Gilmore and Co.[2]
In 1803 Lord Wellesley, Governor-General of India, had decided upon the resettlement of Balambangan Island and instructed R. J. Farquhar, the British Resident at Amboina, to manage the expedition.[4]
The expedition sailed from Malacca on 29 August.
Farquhar reestablished the settlement at Balambangan by the end of September 1803.
A fire on 29 October 1803 destroyed General Baird, Captain Fleming, master, in the harbour at Balambangan. She caught fire and burned to the water's edge.[5][6][7]
Post script: The British burnt their fort and village and withdrew from Balambangan on 5 December 1806.