The Bombay, launched in 1801 at Daman (Demaun), is a historic vessel with a versatile career spanning over five decades. Her early years are not well documented, but by 1831 she appeared in Lloyd’s Register, registered in Calcutta with a burthen of approximately 318 tons. The ship’s construction details are not elaborated upon in the available records, but her size and capacity suggest a sizable merchant vessel typical of the period. Initially, Bombay operated in Australian and Indonesian waters from 1827 to 1830, under Captains Samuel Parker and Joseph Dare. During this period, she was involved in regional trade and navigation, including her presence at Swan River in May 1830. While en route from Calcutta to Sydney, she encountered gales that wrecked several vessels, but she remained safely in harbor and proceeded to Sydney, arriving in July 1830, despite erroneous reports of her loss. From 1832 to 1840, Bombay was repurposed as a whaler in the Indian Ocean, undertaking multiple voyages from London under Captain Edward Lawson. She returned with significant quantities of whale oil, including a haul of over 500 barrels in 1835, indicating her active participation in the whaling industry. Her operations took her to the South Seas and New Zealand regions, with refits at Sydney, and she was often under Captain Lawson’s command or other masters like Captain Evans. In 1842, Bombay was chartered by the New Zealand Company, sailing from London with Captain James Moore to carry settlers to New Zealand. She arrived at Nelson with 134 settlers in December 1842. Subsequently, she undertook various voyages including trips to Australia, Port Phillip, and back to Gravesend, reflecting her continued utility as a passenger, cargo, and migrant ship. Notably, in 1851, Captain Dixon visited the islands of Lobos Afuera and Lobos de Tierra off Peru, confirming the presence of commercially viable guano deposits. Bombay’s last listing was in 1853, marking the end of her documented career. Her diverse service history underscores her maritime significance as a merchant, whaler, and migrant vessel during 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.