History
Following the British Royal Navy's capture of the French 12-pounder frigate, l'Inconstante, off of St. Domingue, the British took charge of the ship in November 1793, renaming her HMS Convert. The newly christened naval frigate and her seasoned captain, John Lawford, were ordered to escort a 6-vessel merchant convoy from Jamaica to Britain. Three other vessels, bound for the United States, joined the convoy. The nine merchant ships were: Britannia, Eagle, Fortune, Ludlow, Moorhall, Nancy, Richard, Sally, and William and Elizabeth.[1]
After sailing for nearly 24 hours, Lawford believed they had already passed Grand Cayman Island. Before going to bed the evening of 7 February 1794, he gave permission for a change of course several points to the north, heading directly for the western end of Cuba and the Florida Channel. With most of the convoy to the south of the lead ship, six or seven merchantmen ships moved ahead of the leading ship and without attracting the attention of Convert's watch. At 3 a.m. on 8 February Lawford was called on deck following the discharge of a distress gun. With a Convert watchman yelling, "Breakers ahead. Close to us!", Lawford gave orders for the rest of the fleet to disperse, hoping to avoid disaster. A merchantman on the opposite tack, however, struck Convert twice and forced her into the windward reef, causing her to become severely damaged and eventually swamped.[2][3]
One vessel, Diana, Thompson, master, saw the disaster but not having any boats, could not render any assistance and so sailed on to Britain, arriving at the Downs on 16 March.[4] An initial report appeared in Lloyd's List on 21 March.[5]
Caymanians living on the East End and in Bodden Town came to the aid of the 10 ships and rescued the crews and passengers. Despite their efforts, eight lives were lost as a result of the wreck.[6][7] Amongst those lost was Captain Martin of Britannia, who went down with his ship.[8]
After his rescue, Captain Lawford travelled to George Town, sending a number of distress messages, one of which was to the Governor of Havana, asking for assistance with the remains of the convoy; another was sent to his commander-in-chief, Commodore John Ford. Three days after the wreck, leaders among the inhabitants of Grand Cayman informed Lawford that they were unable to continue to house and feed the numerous merchantmen and sailors. Lawford shipped off as many of the shipwrecked convoy members as he could. Among those to first leave Grand Cayman following the shipwreck were Lady Emilia Cooke and the naval and military officers who were travelling home.[9] Within three weeks, a number of sloops and schooners arrived from Jamaica with provisions and assistance. Lawford and what was left of his crew proceeded to camp on the beach at Gun Bay. During this time, Lawford's crew attempted to rescue the guns from the submerged ships. While none of the guns were salvaged, the mail carried on Convert was saved, along with a large proportion of the cargo from all the wrecked ships. Among the cargo salvaged from the merchant ships were loads of rum, cotton, and wood.
After Commodore Ford received Lawford's distress call, a rescue was sent to the shipwrecked remaining on the island. HMS Success arrived at Grand Cayman in mid-March 1794, anchored only for a short time before taking Lawford and his crew back to Port Royal where he was court martialled aboard the same ship. Lawford was acquitted of all charges and went on to serve with distinction until his retirement in 1811.[10]
