Hinchinbrooke was originally the Spanish vessel San Carlos, captured by Admiral Rodney's squadron on 8 January 1780 during an engagement off Cape Finisterre. The convoy she was part of included seven ships and ships of war belonging to the Guipuzcoan Company of Caracas, along with 15 merchant vessels. Under the command of Captain Don Firmin Urtizberea, San Carlos was part of this Spanish convoy when Rodney's forces seized the entire fleet. She was subsequently condemned as a prize in the River Thames on 27 April 1780. In 1781, Robert Williams purchased the vessel, renamed her Hinchinbrooke, and she was chartered by the British East India Company for a voyage to Bengal. Before her departure, she underwent fitting and measuring by Barnard. Captain Arthur Maxwell commanded her departure from Portsmouth on 13 March 1781, heading towards Madras and Bengal. During her service, Hinchinbrooke was involved in the broader conflicts of the period. On 16 April 1781, a French squadron under Bailli de Suffren attacked the British at Porto Praya, resulting in her being captured by the French ship Artésien. However, the French withdrew shortly after, abandoning her, and she was recaptured by the British. She continued her voyage to Bengal following this incident. Her maritime career ended when she was wrecked on 10 April 1785 on Long Sand in the River Hooghly. While returning to Calcutta for repairs before resuming her voyage to Britain, she encountered a violent storm at the river's mouth, which caused her to wreck. Three crew members drowned in the incident. Her cargo, reportedly worth several lakhs of rupees, was lost with her. Hinchinbrooke's history reflects the tumultuous naval conflicts of the late 18th century, including her capture, recapture, and ultimate loss in the Indian Ocean region.

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