a four-hour engagement commenced, that resumed the next morning, when after two-and-a-half hours Républicaine withdrew.

[5] As Esther was returning from Barbados, she overset in the Avon River at Bristol and filled with water.

[8] Captain Duncan Stewart attempted to sail to Africa in 1802, but in early September 1802 he and Esther grounded on "The Flatts" and she had to return to Gravesend with damage.

[13] On 13 December 1805, Lloyd's List reported that a privateer had captured Esther, Irvin, master, as she was leaving Charleston for England.

[14] She had left Charleston on 28 October under the command of Captain Wood, in company with the transport Minorca, Ariel, and a schooner, all under the escort of HMS Peterell.

They arrived at the Charleston bar on 3 November and took on board pilots, who informed them of the presence of the French privateer Creole.

Creole, of Barracoa, was armed with six or seven guns of various calibers and had a crew of 111 men under the command of Captain Pierre Burgman.

The two vessels exchanged fire for about an hour and then the privateers, taking advantage of the lack of wind, used their sweeps to come alongside.

Esther's officers and crew resisted until Irving was wounded and retired to his cabin, telling his third mate to strike.

Creole lost six killed, seven wounded, and had several men missing, believed to have been knocked overboard and drowned.

[16] Esther had loaded a cargo of sugar but was apparently in a leaky state, making 16 inches of water an hour in her hold.