Iris (1803 ship)
Iris was launched in France in 1794 and came into British hands in 1803, probably by purchase. She became a whaler in the British southern whale fishery. In 1805 she made an unsuccessful attack on a Batavian vessel. Iris was condemned as unseaworthy in late 1805 on her way home after her first voyage as a whaler.
Career
Captain William Clark received a letter of marque on 23 May 1803. Iris appears in the Register of Shipping for 1804 with W. Clark, master, Hurry & Co. owner, and trade Plymouth–Southern Fishery. She also underwritten a good repair in 1803.Captain Clark sailed from England in July, bound for Timor. Between 10 and 15 August 1804 she was among a number of whalers from London that were well at Timor, including,,, and others.
In February 1805 Captain Clarke found out from Policy, and another vessel, now Sophia, that was a prize to, that a valuable Batavian vessel was coming from Batavia on her way to Banda. Iris intercepted the Batavian near Omba Island and gave chase, though her quarry had more guns and a larger crew. Iris attempted to board the Batavian, but she had too few crew men to prevail. After Clarke was badly wounded Iriss chief office broke off the engagement; the Batavian maintained her cannon fire until Iris was out of range, but chose not to pursue.