The Greenwich was a British whaling ship launched on the Thames in 1800. She was employed by Samuel Enderby & Sons in the British Southern Whale Fishery, undertaking five whaling voyages between 1800 and 1812. Constructed as a sailing vessel, she was initially registered with A. Law as master, and her trade was designated as London–Southern Fishery. During her first voyage (1800–1803), Captain Alexander Law set sail from London on 26 December 1800, heading for New Zealand waters. She arrived at Port Jackson in May 1801 with merchandise and conducted whaling operations in New Zealand, returning to England in September 1803. Her second voyage (1804–1806) saw Captain Law, who acquired a letter of marque, voyage to Timor, visiting regions such as Ambon, Buru, and Ternate before returning in October 1806. The third voyage (1807–1809) was under Captain Charles Cresar Bristow, who also held a letter of marque. She left in January 1807 and returned in September 1809. Her fourth voyage (1810–1812) faced mishaps, including losing anchors and cables in December 1809, but she eventually reached Timor and was reported carrying 1300 barrels of whale oil around August 1811. Her fifth voyage commenced in June 1812, but her career took a dramatic turn when, in May 1813, she was captured by the USS Essex in the Pacific during a US naval cruise. The Americans converted her into a storeship, placing her under Lt. Gamble’s command. She cruised off South America until October 1813, then was sent to the Marquesas Islands for overhaul. Gamble, left in charge after Porter's departure, faced internal dissent and mutiny. In May 1814, Gamble attempted to leave, but mutineers attacked and captured the ship. Gamble attempted to escape to the Sandwich Islands but burned Greenwich in the process. Despite her capture, records initially indicated she continued to sail for Enderby & Sons, but later reports confirm she was scuttled in 1814. The Greenwich’s service history highlights her as a significant vessel in the British Southern Whale Fishery, with a notable and tumultuous end during the War of 1812, illustrating the risks faced by maritime enterprises amidst global conflicts.

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