The Scarborough was an East Indiaman launched in December 1734, designed for long-distance voyages for the British East India Company (EIC). She was constructed as a merchant vessel capable of navigating the Indian Ocean and surrounding regions. During her service with the EIC, Scarborough completed two significant voyages. The first, from 1735 to 1736, under Captain George Westcott, saw her depart from the Downs on 17 March 1735, heading to Bombay. Her route included stops at Mozambique, Johanna, and several key Indian ports such as Tellicherry, Calicut, Cochin, and Goa. She returned home via the Cape of Good Hope and St Helena, arriving at the Downs on 11 August 1736. Her second voyage, from 1738 to 1739, also under Captain Westcott, took her to Madras, Bengal, and Benkulen, with notable stops at São Tiago, Johanna, Fort St. David, and Rogues River in the Hooghly. She completed this voyage by returning to the Downs on 6 September 1739. In 1739, the Admiralty purchased her, initially intending to use her as a storeship. However, she was fitted out as a hospital ship by June 1740 and was commissioned as HMS Scarborough on 2 July 1740 under Commander James Smith. She served on various stations, including participating in notable military actions such as the unsuccessful British operations against Cartagena and Santiago de Cuba in 1741. Command later transferred to Commander William Carter and then Commander Robert Swanton, with her station primarily being around Jamaica. Her physical specifications are not detailed in the provided source, but her conversion from merchant vessel to hospital ship indicates she was a sizable ship capable of accommodating wounded and medical facilities. The vessel's active service was relatively short; she was sold by the Navy at Deptford on 18 December 1744 for £413, marking the end of her maritime career. The Scarborough's service reflects her dual role in commerce and military support during a period of expanding British maritime interests and conflicts.

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