Were East Indiamen faster than warships?

Were East Indiamen generally faster than warships?

No; warships were often faster because of coppered hulls, larger sail-handling crews, more canvas, and the merchantmen's heavy cargo loads.

Warships often had coppered hulls that resisted fouling and preserved speed over a long deployment. They also carried larger crews, allowing sails to be adjusted more quickly and a greater spread of canvas to be handled safely. An East Indiaman's performance varied with its cargo and loading condition, so a lightly laden ship might sometimes run well. A fully laden merchantman, however, generally did not enjoy the speed advantage the viewer suggested.