Tonquin

Tonquin may refer to:

Ships

Locations

Vietnam

Plants

Tonquin (1807)

The Tonquin was a 290-ton merchant ship owned by the American Pacific Fur Company (PFC). The ship was intended to establish and supply PFC outposts in the Pacific Northwest along with participating in the Maritime Fur Trade by selling valuable furs to the Qing Empire. Work began in May 1811 on the sole trading post founded by the Tonquin, Fort Astoria. After the initial construction was completed, the ship sailed north to trade with the Nuu-chah-nulth nations of Vancouver Island. While the crew was negotiating commercial transactions with the Tla-o-qui-aht nation in June, a dispute arose due to Jonathan Thorn's treatment of an elder. The entire crew besides its interpreter from the Quinault nation was killed by armed Tla-o-qui-aht led by chief Wickaninnish. The Tonquin was destroyed and sunk at Clayoquot Sound.

Early career

Built in New York in 1807, the Tonquin was purchased by American John Jacob Astor on August 23, 1810. This vessel was to be used in the fur trade of the Northwest coast of America. Astor paid $37,860 to Fanning & Coles for the 290-ton bark to be used by the Pacific Fur Company, in which Astor owned a half-interest. He gained the services of United States Navy lieutenant Jonathan Thorn and put him in command of the 10-gun merchant vessel.

Tonquin (1845)

The Tonquin was a 496 ton merchant vessel built in 1845 by Waterman & Ewell in Medford, Massachusetts, and owned by George R. Minot and Nathaniel Hooper of Boston. She sailed from New York to San Francisco. On November 19, 1849, she was wrecked at the entrance to San Francisco, on Whaleman's Reef.

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