List of ships of the Poyais scheme

The Scottish adventurer and fabulist Gregor Macgregor promoted a settlement in Honduras that he called Poyais. In 1823 he chartered vessels to take settlers to the settlement. Four vessels actually carried settlers or supplies for the scheme:

Reports also exist that five more vessels set out for Poyais but that when word reached Britain that Poyais had no foundation in reality the British Royal Navy intercepted them and turned them back.

By 20 August 1823 reports were appearing in The Times confirming earlier reports that Poyais was a fraud.[1] Even so it took some time for all to agree that the scheme was fraudulent. There are five vessels for which sailing advertisements and movement reports exist with Poyais as a destination but that do not appear among the vessels that arrived at Poyais. One was wrecked.

  • Albion, of 370 tons (bm) was scheduled to leave London on 20 August 1823.[2][3] Albion, White, master, was reported to have arrived at Deal on 17 September from Poyais and Honduras,[4] suggesting that she was one of the vessels that was intercepted.
  • Alknomac, brig, 200 tons (bm), N. Williams, master. To sail immediately (March 1823).[5][6] She returned to Gravesend on 24 June from Madeira.[7]
  • Mary, schooner, set to depart 24 February 1824.[8]
  • Oporto Packet, brigantine, 142 tons (bm), John Miles, master. To sail immediately (March 1825).[9] She arrived at Jamaica on 28 April from London with destination Poyais.[10]
  • John, a snow of 147 tons (bm), Falvey, master,[11] left Gravesend for Poyais on 30 March 1825 with Falvey, master.[12] She left Deal on 3 April with Petrie, master.[12] John, Pettrie, master, was wrecked on the Viceosa Reef in the Black River on 20 May. Her crew survived and reached Truxillo in her boats. Two other vessels wrecked near where John wrecked.[13]

Citations
  1. "Catherine" Times [London, England 20 Aug. 1823: 2. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 2 May 2018.]
  2. "FOR POYAIS DIRECT, the superior first class Ship ALBION, JOHN WHITE, Commander, copper and copper." The Times (London, England), Friday, Aug 15, 1823; pg. 1; Issue 11951.
  3. Register of Shipping (1824), Seq.№A346.
  4. Lloyd's List №5839.
  5. "FOR POYAIS, to be despatched immediately, the fine fast sailing coppered BRIG ALKNOMACK; N. WILLIAMS,." The Times (London, England), Thursday, Mar 20, 1823; pg. 1; Issue 11824.
  6. Register of Shipping (1824), Seq. №A494.
  7. Lloyd's list №5814.
  8. "FOR POYAIS Direct, the SCHOONER MARY.-Notice is hereby given to the SETTLERS, who have engaged." Times [London, England 5 Feb. 1824: 1. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 2 May 2018.]
  9. "FOR POYAIS, to sail immediately, the fast-sailing BRIGANTINE OPORTO PACKET, JOHH MILES, Commander,." The Times (London, England), Thursday, Mar 03, 1825; pg. 1; Issue 12591.
  10. Lloyd's List №6022.
  11. Lloyd's Register (1826), Seq.№J474.
  12. Lloyd's List №6000.
  13. Lloyd's List №6035.
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