Isaac Todd

Isaac Todd

Isaac Todd, a 350-ton ship built in 1811 at Québec for John McTavish, a partner in the North West Company. This vessel's mission was to secure Astoria at the Columbia River mouth from the American Pacific Fur Company, to annihilate American fur-trade competition on the Northwest Coast, and to initiate NWC trade with China. The Isaac Todd sailed 25 March 1813 from Portsmouth, Eng, escorted by Royal Navy ships assigned to protect her from US warships, since the War of 1812 was in progress. But she was a slow sailer and fell behind her escort. Thus, HMS Racoon reasserted British control over Astoria on 30 Nov 1813, about 6 weeks after Nor'Westers approaching overland had purchased the fort from Pacific Fur Co traders. The Isaac Todd arrived 23 April 1814. She sailed for China September 26, initiating the first Anglo-Canadian transpacific trade with China, and she took tea back to England for the East India Company.