Richard Cobden was launched in 1845 in Dundee. She first appeared in Lloyd's Register (LR) in 1845.[2]
On 22 October 1850 Richard Cobden, Archibald, master, caught fire some 100 miles from Réunion while sailing from Calcutta to London. Prince of Orange, Stephens, master, rescued the crew and took them into Saint Helena.[3]
Richard Cobden, having sailed from Calcutta on 9 September 1850 with a cargo of sugar, cotton, safflower, jute etc. On 22 October, when Richard Cobden was some 50 miles from the island of Bourbon, her cargo of safflower oil underwent spontaneous combustion. She burnt to her waterline and then sank stern foremost. Prince of Orange, of Leith, rescued the crew and took them to Saint Helena. Richard Cobden and her cargo were insured.[4]