Rolla was a sailing ship built in 1800 at South Shields, England.

She then made a voyage for the British East India Company from China back to Britain.

Under the command of Robert Cumming, Rolla sailed from Cork, Ireland on 4 November 1802.

Cumberland, with Matthew Flinders, went to the Torres Straits and on to Île de France.

After leaving Canton, Rolla visited Malacca on 14 March, before reaching St Helena on 13 July, and arriving at the Downs on 9 October.

[13] Rolla had travelled from St Helena in convoy with the East Indiamen City of London, Ceylon, Calcutta, and Wyndham, and two vessels from the South Seas, Lively and Vulture.

[16] On the way the convoy ran into severe weather with the result that Prince of Wales, which had also left St Helena with the rest, foundered with the loss of all on board; this had been her maiden voyage.