The Marquis Cornwallis was a merchant ship launched at Sunderland in 1802, notable for her wide-ranging trade routes and eventful service history. Built for commercial purposes, she was initially registered in Lloyd's Register in 1802, with her master listed as G. Killer, later changing to T. Letsne and then T. Simpson. Her ownership was attributed to "Captain & Co." and her trading routes included London–Tobago and later London–Copenhagen. Constructed as a typical early 19th-century merchant vessel, the Marquis Cornwallis facilitated trade across the Atlantic and European waters. Her physical specifications are not detailed in the provided content, but her operational history indicates she was capable of long voyages, including trips from London to Gibraltar, Teneriffe, Copenhagen, and Petersburg. Throughout her service, the vessel experienced notable incidents. In January 1814, she was reported to be in a leaky condition while sailing from London to Gibraltar, prompting her to seek refuge at Weymouth. Later that year, during the War of 1812, she was captured by the American privateer Chasseur commanded by Captain Thomas Boyle. Although initially taken, she was released as a cartel in August 1814, carrying a provocative message to the British government, and arrived off the Isles of Scilly after her capture. Boyle's actions included a proclamation of blockade, emphasizing her involvement in the broader maritime conflicts of the period. In September 1818, Marquis Cornwallis ran aground on the Swine Bottoms in the Baltic Sea while en route from Dunkirk to Petersburg. She was subsequently refloated with assistance from a diving company and arrived safely at her destination. Her final voyage ended in tragedy when she foundered off the Dogger Bank in December 1823. While carrying a cargo of coal from Sunderland to London, she sank in the North Sea. Her crew was rescued by a light collier from Shields, marking the end of her maritime service. Overall, the Marquis Cornwallis was a versatile merchant vessel with a noteworthy history of trade, wartime encounters, and eventual loss at sea, reflecting the perils and global reach of early 19th-century maritime commerce.

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