The vessel Bengal was launched in 1811 as an East Indiaman built for the British East India Company (EIC). As an East Indiaman, Bengal was designed for long-distance trade between Britain and the Indian subcontinent, serving as a formidable merchant ship of its time. Although specific details about her dimensions and construction are not provided in the available content, her operational history highlights her role in maritime commerce during the early 19th century. Bengal completed one recorded voyage for the EIC from 1812 to 1813 under Captain George Nicholls. She departed Portsmouth on 10 March 1812, bound for Madras and Bengal, reaching Madras on 9 July and Diamond Harbour on 25 July. During her return journey, she was at Saugor on 16 October, then reached St. Helena on 14 February 1813, and finally arrived back at Long Reach on 16 May. This voyage exemplifies the typical route and duration of an East India Company merchant expedition, emphasizing her role in facilitating trade and communication between Britain and its Indian possessions. Bengal’s second voyage began in 1814, again under Captain Nicholls, heading towards Madras and Bengal. She was part of a fleet preparing to leave Bengal on 3 January 1815, with stops at Pointe de Galle in Ceylon and the Cape of Good Hope en route to England. Unfortunately, her service was cut short by a catastrophic incident at Pointe de Galle on 18 January 1815, when a gunner's mistake caused a fire aboard Bengal. The blaze spread rapidly, resulting in the deaths of 20 individuals, including officers and crew members, though women and children aboard survived. The fire was particularly devastating given the loss of cargo valued at £87,738, representing a significant economic blow to the EIC. Bengal’s service history underscores her importance as an East India Company vessel and highlights the perils faced by maritime commerce during this period, including accidental fires with tragic consequences. Her operational record reflects the vital role of such ships in maintaining Britain's colonial and trade networks in the early 19th century.

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