East Indiaman

An East Indiaman was a large armed merchant ship operated by one of the European East India Companies, British, Dutch, French, or Danish, on the long voyages between Europe and Asia from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century. Built strongly enough to defend themselves against privateers, the biggest British Indiamen ran to 1,200 tons and resembled small warships. They carried tea, spices, textiles, and porcelain outbound for bullion and manufactures. Many are known from wrecks that preserve their cargoes and construction.