Name Earl Spencer Acquired 1799 Tons burthen 509, 520, or 600 (bm) | Builder Brazil Fate Lost c. end-1801 | |
Owner John Hill, Paradise Row | ||
Earl Spencer was a Brazilian-built ship, that enters Lloyd's Register in 1799 as foreign built, with later editions specifying "Brazil". She made two seal-hunting voyages to South Georgia between 1799 and 1802, being wrecked there on the second.
Captain William Beacon received a letter of marque for Earl Spencer on 3 August 1799. In 1799 and 1800 she was listed in the Protection Lists, which exempted the crews of certain classes of vessels, such as whalers, from impressment.
Earl Spencer sailed in 1800 to South Georgia on her first sealing voyage. She returned to Britain on 3 February 1801. At the time of her visit she was the largest vessel to have visited to that date.
Earl Spencer sailed a second time for South Georgia on 15 May 1801 under the command of Captain William Beacon (or Bacon, or Beyton). She was lost there towards the end of 1801 or early 1802 when she drifted from her anchors and was wrecked. However, the crew was saved. She was valued at £8,000.