[1] The EIC hired Hercules in Bengal to carry rice to England.

[3] She was carrying the rice on behalf of the British government, which was importing grain to address high prices for wheat in Britain following a poor harvest.

On 16 June she wrecked at Kaffraria, on the East Coast of Africa, north of the Cape of Good Hope.

[2] Thirteen of her crew drowned; the survivors reached the Cape.

[6] The EIC charged the loss of the cargo to "His Majesty's Government".