Francis was a 41-ton (bm) colonial schooner that was partially constructed at the Deptford Dockyard, England, and sent in frame aboard the Pitt to Australia to be put together for the purposes of exploration.

The vessel had originally been designed for George Vancouver’s discovery voyage of the west coast of North America.

Francis made a survey of Port Stephens in February 1795 under the command of deputy surveyor-general Charles Grimes.

[4] It was the only government vessel available to make the Norfolk Island run unless a convict transport or supply ship happened to be in Port Jackson.

In November 1804 Francis was one of small fleet of ships embarking with a party of 181 persons to form a new Settlement at Port Dalrymple.