Very Interesting! It seems that Walter Pardon sang "A Ship to Old England Came" at home in Knapton, Norfolk, on 11 May 1974, when he was recorded by Bill Leader and Peter Bellamy. It has since been recorded by Martin Carthy and others who trace it to Napoleanic times.

Yet, I have this manuscript that claims to be taken from a journal written in Nova Scotia in 1759. And we have some leads that give a 1748 date...
Not unusual, really, in this genre. Then there is the "To" old England vs "from" old England. In any case, the ship is gallant, as are the sailors, so that's good enough for a song from any era!