Britannia was launched in 1788 in Scotland and first appeared in Lloyd's Register (LR) in 1789 with D.Hunter, master, Hunter & Co., owners, and trade Greenock-Virginia.

[1] LR for 1794 showed her with D.Martin, master, Macneil & co., owners, and trade Greenock–New York.

[2] Britannia, of Glasgow, was under the command of Captain D. Martin when she wrecked on 8 February 1794 in the Wreck of the Ten Sail.

[3] Captain Daniel Martin, of Britannia, was one of the eight people who drowned in the wrecking.

[4] The people on Grand Cayman were themselves suffering from the consequences of recent hurricanes and could offer little help to the survivors.