The Anna Teresa 1769-1781

There were two Falmouth Packet named Anna Teresa, in the service during the late C18. Captain Edward Lawrance [*] was appointed to command a packet named Anna Teresa, on May 19^th 1769, this must have been the first so-named vessel. The custom was that the commander would purchase the ‘top’ of his new command – that is to say the rigging sails and furniture – if not the whole vessel. Assuming that he bought the whole, within a couple of years he decided to replace her, having a new hardwood packet of the same name built in her stead. The older Anna Teresa would have continued in the service while the new was being built, but Captain Lawrance probably remained ashore to supervise the new build with an acting commander taking his packet to sea in the interim.

Packet commanders were traditionally allowed two years to build a new ship, but we do not know when work on the new packet commenced. We do, however, have a rare account from that period of the Anna Teresa’s launch – an occasion which enabled a local gentleman correspondent to challenge the prevailing the prejudice for ‘river built’ vessels.[*]

In a letter from a Gentleman at Falmouth to his friends in London, contained in the Stamford Mercury of Thursday April 29^th 1773, is the following passage:

Falmouth (Cornwall) April 12, 1773. “Last Saturday was launched at Little Falmouth, near this place, in the presence of a numerous crowd of spectators, the Anna Teresa packet boat, built by Mr. Peter Simmons, for Edward Lawrance, Esq; in the West India service. She is pierced for 14 guns, and is most completely finished. I assure you, she reflects the greatest credit to the builder; for whether we admire the elegance of the design, the beauty of the form, or the strength and neatness of execution, she equally lays a claim to merit: In short, she is accounted as fine a vessel of her burthen as ever swam on salt water; and from the well known ability of Mr. Simmons, there is no room to doubt, but that on trial she will be found to answer the most sanguine expectations. I am therefore in hopes we shall now bid adieu to your river built packets: and that, for the future, our worthy Captains will stay at home to build their vessels, instead of coming to London.’[*]

A few months would have been required for finishing and fitting out the new packet, and she appears to have sailed on her maiden voyage, to the West Indies, on the 12^th July 1773.

A month later her predecessor of that name was offered for sale. The Sherborne Mercury of Monday August 30^th 1773 carries the notice:

To be sold by AUCTION, at the house of Mr. Edward Snoxell, the King’s Arms, in Falmouth, on Friday the eighth day of October next, by Two of the clock in the afternoon, The good SHIP ANNA TERESA
Lately employed as a Packet on the West India station, built at Philadelphia, burthen 180 tons, more or less, two decks, bottom sheathed, with all her masts, yards, cables, anchors, sails, standing and running rigging, as she came from sea.

The above ship may be viewed by applying to Mr. Richard Simmons, ship-builder, at Little Falmouth, where she now lies; and of whom inventories may be had; and also of Mr. Allison, bookseller, printer, and stationer, in Falmouth.

Lawrance brought the Anna Teresa home to Falmouth on November 15^th. The Leeds Intelligencer of Tuesday November 23^rd 1773 reported the subsequent arrival of her mail in London:

LONDON, Nov. 20.

Friday arrived a Mail from the West-Indies, brought by the Anna Theresa packet boat, Capt. Lawrence, to Falmouth.

The arrival of international mails at the General Post Office, was more widely published in the provincial newspapers, than the dispatching and sailing thereof, though a significant number of these did not pass without attention from time to time. The twice weekly shipping newspaper Lloyd’s List, was generally the most accurate in reporting the sailing, arrivals¸ and movements of the packets themselves, though it frequently omitted to mention the names of their respective commanders.

Lloyd’s List of Friday June 17^th 1774 reports:

The Anna-Teresa Pqt. Arriv’d at Jamaica the 28^th of April, and was to Sail the 11^th of May for England.

And again, on Friday July 1^st 1774:

The Anna Teresa Pqt. Boat, Lawrence, from the West Indies, Arriv’d at Falmouth.

Between July 1773 and April 1776, the Anna Teresa completed five West India voyages, notionally under Edward Lawrance’s command. We do not know whether he sailed in command on every voyage as  packet captains frequently staying on shore for voyages in that era.

Edward Lawrance’s Journal commenced at the outset of the packet’s sixth West India voyage from Falmouth. Sailing on June 9^th 1776, it records his personal observations on what was to prove his final voyage. The journal terminates abruptly with Edward’s entry for August 6^th. It subsequently transpired that he died of an unknown cause, in St. Vincent, on August 10^th. Her sailing master (Gayland) appears to have brought the packet home.

The Anna Teresa continued in the service for the next four years, sailing under Gayland and other commanders. Then in March 1781, on a voyage to New York, under the command of Capt. Martin Crosby, she was taken prize by a French frigate. The Hampshire Chronicle of Monday April 9^th 1781 reports:

LONDON, Saturday, April 7.

The Anna Teresa packet, for New York, and Antelope, for Jamaica, which sailed from Falmouth the 15^th ult. were intercepted by a French frigate of 38 guns, twenty leagues to the westward of Scilly; and after a chace of six hours, the former was unfortunately taken, and carried into L’Orient. The mail was thrown overboard, but not sinking immediately, it was afterwards taken up by three French sailors in the boat; the captain saw it lay on the deck of the frigate as soon as he was put on board. These dispatches are said to contain the plan for the ensuing campaign in America, and other intelligence of the greatest consequence to our enemies. The Jamaica packet escaped by dint of sailing.

Thus the Anna Teresa left the Falmouth Packet Service, and disappeared from the packet records.