''Lapwing'' was a sloop launched in 1787, that in 1790 traded between London and Africa. She then disappeared from ''

Lloyd's Register Lloyd's Register Group Limited (LR) is a technical and professional services organisation and a maritime classification society, wholly owned by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a UK charity dedicated to research and education in science and ...

'' between 1793 and 1798. She reappeared in 1799 as a Bristol coaster and was last listed in 1804.

Origins

''Lloyd's Register'' gave her master as Williams and her owner as "G. Sharpe".

Granville Sharp Granville Sharp (10 November 1735 – 6 July 1813) was one of the first British campaigners for the abolition of the slave trade. He also involved himself in trying to correct other social injustices. Sharp formulated the plan to settle black ...

acquired ''Lapwing'' to facilitate the work of the St George's Bay Company in providing a safe haven for destitute Africans in Sierra Leone and elsewhere. The broker for the company purchased ''Lapwing'' for £186 on 12 February 1790 at the Customs House. ''Lapwing'' herself was in the " condemned hold", a location in Wapping,

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

where ships seized for smuggling were held before Customs disposed of them.

The ''Lapwing'' Expedition

''Lapwing'' set sail for Sierra Leone in late 1790 carrying relief supplies for the settlers there. She was at

Bance Island Bunce Island (also spelled "Bence," "Bense," or "Bance" at different periods) is an island in the Sierra Leone River. It is situated in Freetown Harbour, the estuary of the Rokel River and Port Loko Creek, about upriver from Sierra Leone's capit ...

when the enslaving ship arrived in June 1791 carrying as passengers Dr. Alexander Falconbridge, his wife Anna Maria, and brother William, of the Clapham Sect and the Anti-Slavery Society, who had come out with the intent of reorganising the failed settlement of freed slaves in

Granville Town, Sierra Leone Cline Town is an area in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The area is named for Emmanuel Kline, a Hausa Liberated African who bought substantial property in the area. The neighborhood is in the vicinity of Granville Town, a settlement established in 1787 a ...

. On the return journey in 1791 ''Lapwing'' brought back the Falconbridges and carried the Temne prince John Naimbanna to London. During his stay in London, Naimbanna became friends with Henry Thornton and Granville, and when Naimbanna converted to Christianity he adopted the forenames Henry and Granville in their honour.

Later career

''Lapwing'' disappeared from ''Lloyd's Register'' between 1793 and 1798. However, a guide to the Isle of Man for 1797-8 reported that ''Lapwing'', Cubbon, master, carried passengers from Liverpool to

Douglas, Isle of Man Douglas ( gv, Doolish, ) is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,677 (2021). It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and on a sweeping bay of . The River Douglas forms part of the town's harbour ...

, and that she had seven beds and a large stateroom. It goes on to say, "this once belonged to T. Whalley, Esq.; M.P." She was one of two vessels that carried the mails and passengers as well as a cargo, and usually made the trip in under 24 hours. ''Lapwing'' reappeared in 1799 with W. Cubbon, master, J.J. Bacon, owner, place of building Malden, and trade Bristol - Martinique.''Lloyd's Register'' (1799), seq. no. L49.
/ref> That entry remained unchanged through the ''Lloyd's Register'' for 1804. The ''Register of Shipping'' for 1804 gave her master as Cubbins, her owner as J. Bacon, and her trade Bristol coaster.

Notes

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References

* * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Lapwing (1787 sloop) Age of Sail sloops 1787 ships Age of Sail merchant ships Merchant ships of the United Kingdom