Friendship (1797 ship)

History
Great Britain
NameFriendship
BuilderSpain or France
Launched1780
Acquired1797
FateLast listed in 1810
General characteristics
Tons burthen178, or 196, or 200 (bm)
Complement
  • 1798: 25
  • 1800: 25
Armament
  • 1798: 18 × 4&6-pounder guns
  • 1800: 18 × 6&12-pounder guns

Friendship was launched in France or Spain, possibly in 1780. The British captured her in 1797 and she became a West Indiaman, and from 1798 a slave ship in the triangular trade in enslaved people. Friendship made two complete voyages carrying captives from West Africa to the West Indies. On her third voyage crew members mutinied, taking her before she had embarked any captives. They sailed for a French port in the Caribbean but the Royal Navy retook her in 1801 and brought her into Barbados. There the Government Agent sold her. The incident resulted in a legal dispute between the owners and the insurers that in 1813 was decided in favour of the owners. New owners in 1803 continued to sail Friendship as West Indiaman. She was last listed in 1810.