Benson was a British merchant vessel launched in Quebec in 1811. She was registered in Lloyd's Register in 1813, with her master listed as Thatcher and her trade designated as a London transport. The ship's construction details, such as her dimensions or tonnage, are not specified in the provided content. During her service, Benson was engaged in maritime trade between India and England. Notably, in March 1817, under the command of Captain George Betham, she transported a significant cargo of 2,171 bags of sugar and 191 chests of indigo from Bengal to England on behalf of Colvin & Co. She also carried a large quantity of wheat, which during the voyage fermented, leading to operational difficulties. In July 1816, prior to her voyage, Benson was chartered by her managing owner, Thomas Starling Benson, to Captain Betham for the Bengal route. During her voyage, she faced severe challenges; by March 1817, she had to put into Île de France (Mauritius) leaky and with a mutinous crew. The ship was surveyed at Île de France, where her condition was assessed, and repairs were estimated to cost less than $8,000. Despite these repairs, her condition led to her being condemned. By January 1818, reports indicated that Benson had been surveyed and condemned at Île de France, with much of her cargo of sugar and indigo lost during the incident. Subsequently, her undamaged cargo was transferred to other ships, Cadmus and Elizabeth. The vessel was sold following her condemnation, with her final survey and sale occurring in July 1818. The loss of Benson and her cargo led to a notable legal case. Colvin & Co. sued her owners for the amount of cargo lost, arguing that the charter did not absolve the owners from liability. The Court of King's Bench ruled in 1827 that the owners remained liable despite the charter agreement, emphasizing the vessel's legal responsibilities even when chartered. Benson's history reflects the hazards of early 19th-century maritime trade and the legal complexities surrounding shipownership and cargo liability during that 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.