October, 1850.
In the month of October, 1850, a squadron under Commander Hay,
consisting of H.M. steam sloops 'Columbine' and 'Fury,' and the East
India Company's steam sloop 'Phlegethon,' left Hong Kong in pursuit
of a great piratical fleet on the 8th, and proceeding along the
coast, arrived at Hainan on the 13th, where they met with a most
cordial reception from the Chinese authorities, who prepared a small
force of eight war-junks to co-operate with them, and offered a
mandarin to accompany them, who was accordingly received on board the
'Fury.' The squadron set sail again from Hainan on the 14th; on the
16th reached Chook-shan, which the pirate fleet had left five days
before, and found the same sad story of towns destroyed, men
murdered, and women taken away marking its track along the coast.
After a close search all along the coast, they fell in with the fleet
on the 20th October in the bay of Tonquin. Proceeding into Chokeum
for the purpose of reconnoitring, 37 of the fleet were discovered
under weigh. From 7 o'clock until 4 P.M. they hunted for the channel
like terriers at a rat-hole, till a pilot managed to escape from the
shore. The 'Phlegethon,' with the 'Fury' astern, and 'Columbine' in
tow, proceeded over the bar, and the ships were soon warmly engaged.
Shapng-tsai's junk blew up with a tremendous crash, and at half-past
5 they had ceased firing. Before 8 o'clock 27 of the pirate fleet
were in flames, and the squadron in position to blockade the river.
The next day 24 more were destroyed by the steamers and boats; and
nine of them gave Lieut. George Hancock, in a paddle-box boat of the
'Fury,' who was assisted by Captain Moore, R.M., and Mr. Close,
acting-mate, with Mr. Leon (a Brazilian lieutenant), an opportunity
of distinguishing himself. Two large junks turned at bay to defend
the retreat of the rest, but Mr. Hancock so handled his boat and her
gun, that after an hour and twenty minutes he had beaten them from
their guns, and carried them, by boarding without loss of life, and
then pursued and destroyed the other seven. On Monday 22nd,
Commander Hay proceeded in the 'Phlegethon' and boats to destroy all
that were left. The mandarins had destroyed four, and they finished
two others. The low flat islands at the mouth of the river were at
times covered with men deserted from the junks, yet afraid of the
Cochin-Chinese who had assembled in great numbers to attack them.
The ships' boats and small-arm men harassed and destroyed many by
constant fire of shell and grape, whilst the Cochin-Chinese destroyed
and captured the rest. The fleet consisted of 64 war-vessels of
various sizes, carrying amongst them 1,224 guns, and 3,150 men. Of
these six of the smaller escaped with Shapng-tsai, and about 400 men,
but without much ammunition.
DESTRUCTION OF A SLAVE ESTABLISHMENT IN THE
MOZAMBIQUE CHANNEL, BY H.M.S. 'CASTOR' AND 'DEE,'
MOZAMBIQUE,
1850.
On the 8th of June, 1850, an attack was made by a division of seamen
and marines of H.M.S. 'Castor' and steamer 'Dee' under Commander
Bunce on the town of Keonga, river Hambeyzy, at Mozamba in the
Mozambique channel. It contained an establishment for several
thousands of slaves and large storehouses filled with merchandize for
conducting the vile traffic. These were defended by a 6-pounder gun,
and by about 300 free natives, with muskets, besides several bowmen
and spearmen. So rapid were the movements of the seamen and marines
that the natives, although very war-like and courageous, had scarcely
time to get under arms before the place was totally demolished, the
guns carried and spiked, and a large slave dow blown up. No lives
were lost on the part of the English. The slave barracoons at
Masain, near Cape Delgado, were also attacked by a division of seamen
and marines from the 'Castor' and 'Dee' at daybreak, and before the
natives could effect resistance, were destroyed. This was also a
notorious slave-market.
CAPTURE OF THE BRAZILIAN STEAM-BRIG 'PAQUETE DE
SANTOS,' LATE 'PROVIDENCIA,' BY H.M.S. 'RIFLEMAN,'
LIEUT. COMMANDER CROFTON, BRAZIL,
1850.
No slaver had so long and successfully eluded the vigilance of the
British squadron, under the command of Commodore Sir Charles Hotham,
as the Brazilian steam-brig 'Providencia.' On one occasion, with
1,500 slaves on board, she stood a twelve hours' chase, by H.M.S.
'Contest,' and escaped by changing her course in the dark. During
this chase the 'Providencia's' engines were so hard-worked that she
lay at Rio for some months, until she had been repaired by engineers
expressly sent for from Europe. On another occasion, a boat from the
'Penelope' (flag-ship), missed capturing her, just after she had
shipped 1,200 slaves.
In July, 1849, this notorious slave-steamer left Rio de Janeiro, with
complete equipments for a slaving voyage, ostensibly bound to Santos,
a port on the coast of South America, but in reality, to the opposite
direction, the coast of Africa. Before she was well clear out of the
port at Rio, she was chased by H.M.S. 'Hydra,' but escaped and took
refuge in Santos Harbour; where, notwithstanding several
representations made by the British Vice-Consul and Commander
Skipwith of the 'Hydra,' the more suspicious portion of the slaver's
cargo and equipments were allowed to be landed, and afterwards
transhipped to a sailing-vessel. The 'Hydra' being under orders for
England, H.M.S. 'Rifleman' was ordered to remain at Santos to keep
watch on the 'Providencia,' which, being thus prevented from leaving
the harbour without detection, remained unemployed for six months.
At length, in December, the 'Rifleman' left the port, with the view
of intercepting the arrival of several vessels, expected with slaves
from the coast of Africa, when having changed owners, under the name
of 'Paquete de Santos,' the notorious craft made an effort to pursue
her voyage during the absence of the cruiser. On the very day she
left Santos, she was discovered by the 'Rifleman' standing away from
the land, but, on being observed, she altered her course and made
every effort to escape; a well-directed shot from the 'Rifleman's'
long gun, however, astonished her and brought her to; she was then
boarded and searched by Lieut. Crofton, the commander, and Mr.
Beckett, a midshipman, and her real character and object easily
proved by the slave-deck being found temporarily nailed up. She was
seized, and condemned at St. Helena.
CAPTURE OF FOUR NOTED SLAVERS BY H.M.S.
'CORMORANT,' COMMANDER HERBERT SCHOMBERG, ON THE
COAST OF BRAZIL, AMERICA,
1850.
On the 26th of June, 1850, H.M. steam-frigate 'Cormorant,' Commander
Herbert Schomberg, left Rio Janeiro, having received orders from the
Commander-in-chief to cruize for the suppression of the slave-trade.
Proceeding to the northward, she captured and destroyed the
celebrated slaver 'Rival,' in the Rio Frio, a service which was
performed with great promptitude by the ship's boats, under the
command of her First-lieut. Mr. C. M. Luckcraft. After the
destruction of the slaver, the 'Cormorant' had to run the gauntlet,
at the entrance of the river, under a sharp fire of musketry, from
hundreds of persons assembled on the beach: she then steered to the
southward for the Bay of Paranagua, distant about 400 miles, off
which she arrived on the morning of the 29th, and passing the fort
(mounting 14 or 15 guns), at the entrance, between which and the
'Cormorant' the usual civilities passed, she proceeded up the bay
about 15 miles, and at noon opened several large vessels, lying at
anchor off an island inhabited only by slave-dealers, the
trading-port being some four miles further up the bay. Abreast of
where these vessels were lying at anchor were erected large sheds,
surrounded by leaguers, slave-decks, &c. The 'Cormorant' having
steamed in as close to these vessels as she could possibly get, the
channel being very narrow and circuitous, and surrounded by shoals,
Commander Schomberg anchored with a spring on the cable, to cover the
boats, at 5 minutes after 12, and immediately despatched the two
cutters and gig, under the command of Lieut. C. M. Luckcraft, Lieut.
de Kantzon, Mr. C. W. Buckley (midshipman), and Mr. Hambly
(assistant-surgeon), to overhaul suspicious vessels. One or two
legal vessels lying near, immediately weighed and left this
anchorage, not wishing to remain among the black sheep. The boats
then boarded one of the brigs and took possession; the first cutter
boarding another brig, and the gig a large ship, both of which were
also taken. The boats were now employed in towing and warping the
two brigs towards the 'Cormorant,' but unfortunately, owing to the
intricacy of the channel, they soon took the ground, which occasioned
much delay; the 'Cormorant' then weighed and endeavoured to close,
but, having only 15 feet water, was obliged to desist; she,
therefore, as the two brigs were now afloat again, dropped a little
further out, and brought up about a mile from them. Both paddle-box
boats were now hoisted out, and, together with the whale-boat, sent
to the assistance of the other boats, the captain visiting and
examining them in one of the former boats. The ship was then got
under weigh, and by 10 P.M., after a hard day's work, the three
vessels were anchored under the 'Cormorant's' beak.
On the following day, June 30th, Commander Schomberg was employed
surveying and preparing his little flotilla for sea. The ship was
called the 'Camperdora,' but on ripping some painted canvass off her
stern, there was found in large letters the name; 'Lucy Ann,' of
Greenport: and from her being American built, and having the flag of
the United States on board, and carrying two whale-boats at her
quarters, she might have been passed by our cruisers a thousand times
at sea without the slightest suspicion. The two beautiful brigs were
found to be the noted slavers 'Serea' and 'Donna Anna,' which,
unfortunately, had no sails on board, and were unfit to make a voyage
across the Atlantic. The 'Donna Anna' had her cargo on board, and
all three were fully equipped for the slave-trade. There were also
at anchor a Portuguese barque, a Brazilian ship (but from having
landed her fittings, she could not be detained) and an American
barque, which no doubt only lay there to be fitted for carrying
slaves. Besides these, there was a large brigantine called the
'Astro,' which the 'Rifleman' had previously blockaded in Santos for
some 10 days, as also had the 'Cormorant,' but she managed to elude
their vigilance, and to escape to this port. Commander Schomberg
intended taking her in the morning, but when day broke she was found
sinking, giving a lift to starboard and then to port, going down
head-foremost, having been scuttled during the night by her own crew,
to prevent capture. The captain and master went up to examine and
measure her; she had gone down in six fathoms water (soft mud), and
numerous boats were employed landing sails, &c., which had been taken
out of her.
The whole of the day (30th) it rained and blew very hard from the
S.W.; it was, therefore, deemed advisable not to start till the next
morning; but the time was not thrown away, for the vessels were
prepared for towing, and a prize-crew, &c., placed on board the ship,
so as not to be detained when they got outside; at sunset all were
ready for a start.
On the morning of July 1st the 'Cormorant' weighed, and by 8 A.M. had
got the little squadron in tow, proceeding down the bay. On opening
the fort, at about 10 o'clock, and when about a mile off, Capt.
Schomberg was astonished at a blank gun being fired at him. The
engines were immediately eased and stopped, and a boat left from
under the fort, but immediately returned; at the same time a shot
from the fort fell close under the bows. The 'Cormorant' beat to
quarters, but refrained from returning it, although perfectly ready.
In about two minutes a second shot fell close under the counter,
followed by a third, which flew across the forecastle netting. The
'Cormorant' went on at full speed (not being built for a target for
the Brazilians), and opened fire from starboard broadside with shot
and shell, firing as the guns would bear, going through a very narrow
channel with three large vessels in tow. At this period the action
became general on both sides, the fort firing grape occasionally,
which fortunately fell short of the 'Cormorant,' although not 400
yards from it. At fifty minutes past 10, having passed the front of
the battery, unable to return the raking fire from the sea-face of
it, in consequence of the vessels in tow, but throwing shell
occasionally from her stern gun, as the opening between the vessels
in tow would admit of it, the 'Cormorant' ceased firing, the fort
still continuing until their last shot fell short of the ships in
tow. The bar not being passable, the 'Cormorant' anchored. A party
was then sent to destroy the brigs 'Donna Anna' and 'Serea,' which
were shortly in a blaze, and drifting into the breakers, soon went
into a thousand atoms. In performing this service the second cutter
unfortunately was drifted near the breakers, and in great danger. A
whale-boat was sent to her assistance, and she was shortly released
from this imminent peril. The 'Cormorant' was anchored barely three
miles from the fort, so that they had a good view of her proceedings.
By 4 P.M., the tide having sufficiently risen to enable the
'Cormorant' to pass the bar, she weighed, and having the ship in tow,
proceeded to sea, casting her off next morning for St. Helena, and
then proceeded herself with all despatch to join the Admiral off Rio.
The casualties of the affair were one killed and two wounded. Five
shots were fired through the hull, one of which was picked up on the
lower deck. The conduct of Commander Schomberg, in capturing these
slavers, and avenging the insult to the British flag, was highly
approved by the Admiral on the station, and justified by the
authorities at Rio.
CAPTURE OF 'VENUS' SLAVER, OFF THE HAVANNAH, BY
H.M.S. 'VESTAL,' CAPTAIN HAMILTON,
1852.
Taking advantage of the moment when the vigilant 'Vestal' was
refitting in the harbour of Havannah, a finely-built slave-schooner,
the 'Venus,' with the concurrence of the captain of the port, slipped
out to sea during the night. At dawn she was missed, and in less
than three minutes after Capt. Hamilton heard of the circumstance the
'Vestal' was on her way out of the harbour under a crowd of canvas.
There were 11 foreign ships-of-war at that time in the Havannah, and
the Americans, like good kinsmen, gave the 'Vestal' a loud cheer as
she departed. When the 'Vestal' got out to sea there were several
distant specks to be seen, but the 'Venus' was detected by the
superior whiteness of her new sails, and every effort was made to
gain upon her, and with success. In the course of the night a
tornado came on, during which the 'Venus' was lost sight of; and now
came a difficulty, in which direction to pursue her. Upon
consultation, it was conjectured that she would make for the Bahama
shoals, that being a dangerous navigation for larger vessels. At
sunrise this conjecture proved correct, for the 'Venus' again
appeared, but it was an extremely dangerous passage, and the 'Vestal'
had brought no pilot; the breakers appeared ahead, and it was
impossible to pursue the 'Venus' further. Capt. Hamilton then
determined to try the effect of a long gun, with an enormous charge
of powder. It pitched into the 'Venus;' down went her colours, and
she gave in. There were two other slave-schooners amongst the
breakers, and the 'Vestal' was unable to follow them, for want of
water, but Capt. Hamilton would not be foiled thus; he went on board
the 'Venus,' held a pistol to the captain's head, made him steer
after the other schooners, and successively captured them both. On
board each vessel was found a large store of swords, muskets, the
usual provision of slave-decks and slave-irons, together with several
letters implicating many persons, and other vessels, as well as their
own, amongst others, a large black brig, which was captured a few
days afterwards.
CAPTURE OF THE 'POLKA' SLAVER, BY H.M.S. 'SHARPSHOOTER,'
LIEUT.-COMMANDER BAILEY, ON THE COAST
OF BRAZIL.
H.M.S. 'Sharpshooter,' Lieut. John Bailey, commander, arrived off Rio
on the 18th June, 1849, with despatches, ordering the admiral on that
station to take slave-vessels out of Brazilian ports when it could be
attempted with a fair prospect of success--a measure which had
hitherto been unlawful. Before entering the harbour she captured one
slaver, which was sunk, being unfit for sea; and a second on the
night of the 20th, while in search of the admiral, who was cruising
outside. Having fallen in with him on the morning of the 22nd, and
at the same time received intelligence that a notorious slaver was
lying in the port of Macahi, about 80 miles off, Mr. Bailey
immediately obtained leave to take advantage of the new regulations.
Although the ship had been but half an hour in Rio, and consequently
had not had time to revictual, water, or coal, and had only half a
day's water, two days' bread, and about 15 tons of coal remaining, no
time was lost, and she arrived off the port of Macahi at half-past 3
P.M. on the 23rd. The slaver was moored with stout chain-cables,
ready for sea, and within pistol-shot of an eight-gun battery, and
lying immediately under the guns. The boats were sent to examine
her, and found no captain or papers, but a regular slave-deck. The
beach was crowded with ruffians, firing off muskets in all
directions; and while the young officer in command of the boats was
searching, a body of soldiers marched into the battery and loaded the
guns; upon which, not knowing exactly how to act, he returned for
further orders.
Mr. Bailey then went away in a four-oared boat to speak to the
commandant of the battery, and see if it was practicable to get her
out. It was now dusk, and, while walking up the bank, a musket was
fired at him from behind a hedge. Having seen the commandant and
examined the vessel, a perfect little beauty, called the 'Polka,' but
a palpable rogue, Mr. Bailey returned on board his own ship, steamed
out a little way, and, having cleared for action, and loaded with
grape and canister, manned the boats, towed them to within
musket-shot of the schooner and fort, and then cast them off, as
there was not water for the ship to approach any nearer. The men in
the boats had orders not to fire even if their boats were struck, but
to reserve their fire until some of them had received personal
injury, when in self-defence they were to return it. The
'Sharpshooter' remained within short musket range of the fort, ready
to open upon it had any injury occurred to the boats. They dashed
alongside the slaver on the side opposite to the battery, whilst a
perfect blaze of muskets and rockets was going on around them, though
at so cautious a distance that no one was touched. In a few minutes,
however, her sails were loosened, cables slipped, and out she shot
like an arrow. Directly she did so a gun was fired from the battery,
which went far over the mark; and then a second, which splashed them
from head to foot; a third flashed in the pan, and by that time the
prize had run across the bows of the 'Sharpshooter,' which
immediately steamed in across the line of fire. The battery ceased
fire directly, and giving them three good cheers as the only return
for the shot, the two vessels dashed off to sea together at the rate
of eight miles an hour. It was the work of ten minutes, and was done
without even the snapping of a cap.