Iris (1803 ship)
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| History | |
|---|---|
 France | |
| Launched | 1794[1] |
| Fate | Transferred to British ownership in 1803 |
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Iris |
| Owner | Hurry & Co.[2][1] |
| Acquired | 1803 (by purchase?) |
| Fate | Condemned 1805 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 357,[3] or 395[2] (bm) |
| Complement | 30[3] |
| Armament | 10 × 6-pounder guns + 6 swivel guns[3] |
Iris was launched in France in 1794 and came into British hands in 1803, probably by purchase. She became a whaler in the British southern whale fishery. In 1805 she made an unsuccessful attack on a Batavian vessel. Iris was condemned as unseaworthy in late 1805 on her way home after her first voyage as a whaler.
Captain William Clark received a letter of marque on 23 May 1803.[3] Iris appears in the Register of Shipping for 1804 with W. Clark, master, Hurry & Co. owner, and trade Plymouth–Southern Fishery. She also underwritten a good repair in 1803.
Captain Clark (or Clarke) sailed from England in July, bound for Timor.[4] Between 10 and 15 August 1804 she was among a number of whalers from London that were well at Timor, including Perseverance, Elliott, Eliza, and others.[5]
In February 1805 Captain Clarke found out from Policy, and another vessel, now Sophia, that was a prize to Policy, that a valuable Batavian vessel was coming from Batavia on her way to Banda. Iris intercepted the Batavian near Omba Island and gave chase, though her quarry had more guns and a larger crew. Iris attempted to board the Batavian, but she had too few crew men to prevail. After Clarke was badly wounded Iris's chief office broke off the engagement; the Batavian maintained her cannon fire until Iris was out of range, but chose not to pursue.[6]
