The Princess Royal, launched in 1786, was an East Indiaman built for the British East India Company (EIC), notable for her active maritime service and involvement in significant naval engagements during the late 18th century. As a merchant vessel, she was designed to undertake long voyages between Britain and the Indian subcontinent, as well as China, and was equipped for both cargo capacity and defensive action. Her construction details, such as tonnage and dimensions, are not specified in the provided content, but her operational profile indicates she was a fast-sailing vessel capable of crossing vast distances. Her service record includes three major voyages under Captain James Horncastle. The first, beginning in January 1787, took her from the Downs to Madras, Bengal, and Bombay, with notable stops at the Cape, St. Helena, and a reported engagement in the Straits of Malacca, where she fought an action against an unknown opponent. Her second voyage commenced in April 1790, traveling to Bombay and returning via Johanna, Tellicherry, and the Cape. The third voyage started in April 1793, during which she received a letter of marque amidst the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars. She was on her way to China when she was captured by French warships off Anger (or Anjere) Point on 29 September 1793. The French Navy renamed her Duguay Trouin and incorporated her into their forces as a 34-gun frigate, actively participating in naval operations in the Indian Ocean. Her maritime significance is underscored by her capture and subsequent service under the French flag, as well as her recapture by the British in May 1794. After her recapture, she served briefly in the British Royal Navy, fighting the French and their privateers in the Indian Ocean. She was sold in Mauritius and later returned to merchant service under the name Catherine. Her final voyage for the EIC was in 1797-1798, after which she was captured by a privateer off Sumatra in November 1799, marking the end of her distinguished career. Her history exemplifies the perilous nature of maritime commerce and warfare during this tumultuous period.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.