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The first ship that was sent out was a vessel built as a so-called "Spanienfarare," which were constructed for trade in the lands around the Mediterranean and were about 30 meters in length. The ship was named "Fredricus Rex Suecia," a name that was meant to emphasize the fact that Sweden stood behind it as a nation.
Fredricus set sail from Gothenburg on March 7, 1732. It had as its commander the highly experienced naval captain Georg Herman Trolle, and serving as the 1st supercargo was Colin Campbell. Colin Campbell was one of the initiators of the Swedish East India Company, along with Henrik König, and he was the person with knowledge of the East Indies trade.
The voyage would involve many difficulties, as highlighted in the diary he wrote during this first journey. The diary was discovered in an antiquarian bookstore in 1986, and through its thoroughness, it provides insight into the significant challenges such an expedition entailed. When the ship had returned to Gothenburg and the return cargo was sold, it was confirmed that the expedition had been successful. The Directorate reported that the auction of the cargo had yielded 900,000 dal smt, and they were able to distribute 75% interest on invested capital.
They immediately began planning for new expeditions.
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Friedericus Rex Sueciae The Swedish East India Company's first ship was built at the Terra Nova Shipyard in Stockholm under the supervision of the Directors Colin Campbell and Henric König. 200 läster |
Voyages under the first charter: February 9, 1732 - August 27, 1733. To Canton under the Captains: Premier Captain at the Admiralty Georg Herman Trolle, ennobled af Trolle in 1758, and N.N. Keteliens. Superintendents: Colin Campbell, Charles Graham, Charles Morford, John Pike. They were stopped by the Dutch on their way back and were taken to Batavia on January 27, from where they sailed on January 31. The voyage yielded a 75% return to the investors. The journey is documented in a partially reconstructed diary by Colin Campbell, MS GHM. February 25, 1735 - July 31, 1736. To Canton under Captain Hindric Bremer. Superintendents: Colin Campbell, Charles Morford, Gustaf Ross. Departed from Vargö hole. Anchored in Cádiz after a month, where the commissioner James Gough & Co supplied the expedition with silver. Continued on April 8. Quartermaster Olof Westerberg and four sailors drowned at Cape while trying to strike and lower the topsails during a storm. Arrived on August 30. Stayed for four months. Ran aground in the mud outside Kungsladugård on July 31. Ship's preacher Benedictus Montans' diary is preserved at KVA. The voyage yielded 68 1/2%. December 1, 1737 - July 13, 1739. To Canton under Captain Hindric Bremer. Superintendents: Charles Irvine, N.N. Hofwardt, Andreas J. Flanderine. Dougald Campbell. EC notes that this journey began in 1738. April 5, 1740 - October 18, 1742. To Bengal under Captains Benjamin Svensson and Thomas Neilson. Superintendents: Auguste Tabuteau, Andreas J. Flanderine, John Metcalfe, Nils Ström, Jacob Greiff. Bought cotton, silk, and 1,333 sacks of saltpeter. Distribution 10%. January 1, 1744 - August 12, 1745. To Canton under Captain James (Jacob) Maule. Superintendents: Andreas J. Flanderine, Jacob von Utfall, Peter von Kampe, John Henry Matsen, John Young. The fifth and final journey was made together with Calmar and yielded 33%, in addition to setting aside 309,830 dal smt for future needs. |
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Copyright © Jan-Erik Nilsson 1998