| History | |
|---|---|
 Great Britaini | |
| Name | Earl Spencer |
| Namesake | George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer |
| Owner | John Hill, Paradise Row |
| Builder | Brazil |
| Acquired | 1799 |
| Fate | Wrecked late 1801 or early 1802 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 509,[1][2] 520,[3][4] or 600[5] (bm) |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Complement | 35[1] |
| Armament |
|
Earl Spencer was built in Brazil.[4] She entered Lloyd's Register in 1799 as foreign built,[5] 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.[1] She was listed on the Protection List in 1799 and 1800;[4] the lists protected the crews of certain vessels, such as whalers, from impressment, at least on the outbound leg of a voyage.
Earl Spencer sailed in 1800 to South Georgia on her first sealing voyage.[2][6] At the time of her visit she was the largest vessel to have visited to that date.[7] Lloyd's List reported on 2 May 1800 that Earl Spencer was at South Georgia. She was reported to be returning from the South Seas on 22 December 1800, dismasted and leaky.[8][9] She put into Plymouth, having lost her masts in a heavy gale on the 13th. She was carrying 500 tons of spermaceti oil and seal skins.[10] She finally returned to London on 3 February 1801.[2]
Earl Spencer sailed a second time for South Georgia on 15 May 1801 under the command of Captain William Beacon (or Bacon, or Beyton).[2] She was lost there towards the end of 1801 or early 1802 when she drifted from her anchors and was wrecked.[a] However, the crew was saved. She was valued at £8,000.[4]
The Register of Shipping for 1802 gave the name of her master as W. Beaton, and had the notation "LOST" against her name.[3] Earl Spencer was last listed in Lloyd's Register for 1803 (published in 1802).[12]
