Othello (1781 ship)
Othello (or Ortello), was launched at Liverpool in 1769, possibly under the name Preston. Under the command of Captain James Johnson Othello made two voyages in the African slave trade in 1781 and 1782. She was lost at Tortola in 1783, during the second voyage. Some general background Othello entered Lloyd's Register in 1781 with master James Johnson and William Earl (or Earle), owner. Othello had been lengthened in 1770, had undergone a good repair in 1778, and had received a large repair in 1780. At that time her name had been Preston. Transporting enslaved people Othello was armed, and Johnson had received a letter of marque. He sailed from Liverpool on 1 July 1781, bound for Sierra Leone. On the way Othello captured St Anne, of 300 tons (bm), which was sailing from Buenos Aires to Cádiz. St Anne was carrying 8,500 dry hides, 180 boxes of Peruvian bark (Cinchona), and four sacks of "fine Spanish wool". The value of the prize was put at £10,000, or £20,000, though it is not clear if that included the vessel as well. The prize-master sailed St Anne to Killybegs in September 1781 where he awaited orders from Heywood. He was concerned