It was probably the vessel reported to have found Gardner Island in the Phoenix group.

Although Barzillai Folger, the master of the ship during its voyage of 1835–39, is sometimes credited with being the first to discover the right whales of the Northwest coast, the Frenchman Narcisse Chaudiere, in Gange, preceded Folger.

Chaudiere cruised on this ground during the summer of 1835, while Folger didn't leave port until October 26 of the same year.

Joshua Gardner, reportedly on board the whaleship Ganges, discovered an island in 1825, located at 4°20′S 174°22′W / 4.333°S 174.367°W / -4.333; -174.367, and named it "Gardner's Island".

[3] However, contemporary Joshua Coffin (also reportedly on Ganges) is sometimes credited with the discovery, naming the island after his ship's owner, Gideon Gardner.