Randall built the three-decker, which her managing owner, Sir Richard Hotham, chartered to the East India Company.

[b] Royal Captain reached St Helena on 11 April and arrived at Whampoa in the Pearl river region of China, on 23 August.

[5] Lloyd's List reported that when the accident occurred Royal Captain was three days out of China and on her way to Balambangan Island on the northern tip of Sabah where, between 1761 and 1805, the East India Company maintained a free port.

In 1999, an expedition led by Franck Goddio located the wreck in a depth of about 350 meters and salvaged part of the remaining stage freight.

[7][8] Goddio utilised the Ocean Voyager as well as two high-tech 2-person submarines of the Deep Rover class, capable of diving 1000 metres.