 "Ganges" was launched at Philadelphia, possibly for the Rotch brothers.After the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars, a number of French whaling companies transferred their operations to the United States, operating out of New Bedford and Nantucket under American colours and with American masters and crews, frequently Nantucket whalers.During the Peace of Amiens (1802–1803), some French owners returned their vessels to French registration, and resumed whaling from France.