Skip to main content
Service phase: Beta

This is a new way to search our records, which we're still working on. Alternatively you can search our existing catalogue, Discovery.

Item

British New York Vice-Admiralty Court. Captured ship: Chatham (master Joseph Smith)....

Catalogue reference: HCA 32/292/18

What’s it about?

This record is about the British New York Vice-Admiralty Court. Captured ship: Chatham (master Joseph Smith).... dating from 1781 Jun 4 in the series High Court of Admiralty: Prize Court: Prize Papers. It is held at The National Archives, Kew.

Is it available online?

No, this record is not available online. However, you can order a copy. Other ways to view it.

Can I see it in person?

Yes, this record is held at The National Archives and is available to see in person. How to view it.

Full description and record details

Reference
HCA 32/292/18
Date
1781 Jun 4
Description

British New York Vice-Admiralty Court.

Captured ship: Chatham (master Joseph Smith).

Capture history: an American merchant ship / privateer (130 tons, 11 guns, 31 crew and 1 passenger) bound from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Grenada, laden with flour and lumber; taken on 4 June 1781 off the Capes of Delaware by HMS Garland (Charles Chamberlayne commanding), and brought into New York.

Intended voyage: from the United States to the Caribbean Islands.

Court papers numbered CP 1-4:-

  • [CP 1]: affidavit of papers brought in by Chamberlayne, 13 June 1781;
  • [CP 2]: libel in Advocate General at the relation of Chamberlayne v The armed ship Chatham and her cargo, 13 June1781;
  • [CP 3]: monition, 14 June 1781;
  • [CP 4]: deposition of Joseph Smith, 14 June 1781.

[Decision: condemned, if no response to the monition by 4 July 1781].

Ship's Papers numbered SP 1-8 (Pennsylvania papers):-

  • SP 1: privateer commission;
  • SP 2: invoice for flour;
  • SP 3: bill of lading;
  • SP 4-SP 7: official ships papers;
  • SP 8: crew list and agreement.

[Papers previously wrongly identified as Court papers: 1-4; Ship's papers: 5-12 (large pencil numbers): sorted and renumbered in 2025].

Held by
The National Archives, Kew
Former department reference
HCA 32/292/18/1-12
Legal status
Public Record(s)
Language
English
Closure status
Open Document, Open Description
Subjects
Topics
Shipping
International
Litigation
Trade and commerce
Caribbean
Conflict
Piracy and privateering
Weapons
Food and drink
Navy
Crime
Americas
Armed Forces (General Administration)
Operations, battles and campaigns
Record URL
https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/C13505252/

How to order it

  1. View this record page in our current catalogue
  2. Check viewing and downloading options
  3. Select an option and follow instructions

Series information

HCA 32

High Court of Admiralty: Prize Court: Prize Papers

See the series level description for more information about this record.

View series description

Catalogue hierarchy

Over 27 million records

This record is held at The National Archives, Kew

109,109 records

Within the department: HCA

Records of the High Court of Admiralty and colonial Vice-Admiralty courts

37,247 records

Within the series: HCA 32

High Court of Admiralty: Prize Court: Prize Papers

23 records

Within the piece: HCA 32/292

Captured ships with names beginning with C. (Described at item level)

You are currently looking at the item: HCA 32/292/18

British New York Vice-Admiralty Court. Captured ship: Chatham (master Joseph Smith)....

You may be interested in

Related records

Records that share similar topics with this record.