HEIC Early Voyages
| HEIC Early Voyages | |
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| See our interactive map of 1st HEIC Voyage on Google Maps | |
| HEIC Early Voyages | |
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| See our interactive map of 2nd HEIC Voyage on Google Maps | |
History
The early expeditions of the East India Company were called the Separate Voyages as separate capital was raised for each. The object of the expeditions was to establish trade with the spice islands of the East Indies.
First Voyage (1601-03)
Captain James Lancaster was appointed "General" of the fleet and sailed in the 'Red Dragon'. John Middleton was 'Vice-Admiral'. Other ships were the 'Susan', the 'Hector', the 'Ascension' and the 'Guest'. Lancaster established the first factory on at Bantam on the coast of Sumatra. An account of the voyage is given in Letters received by the East India Company Vol I (1602-13).
Second Voyage (1604-06)
Captain Henry Middleton, who had sailed on the first voyage with his brother of John, led the expedition in the Red Dragon again with the Hector, Ascension, and Susan. Arriving at Bantam the Hector and Susan loaded pepper and set out for home but Susan was lost on the way. The Red Dragon and Ascension proceeded to Banda hoping to establish a factory. They were unable to do so however due to opposition from the Dutch.