1845.
H.M.S 'Pantaloon,' 10-gun sloop, Commander Wilson, had been for two
days in chase of a large slave-ship, and succeeded in coming up with
her becalmed, about two miles off Lagos, on the 26th May, 1845. The
cutter, and two whaleboats, were sent under the command of the
First-lieutenant, Mr. Lewis D. T. Prevost, with the master, Mr. J. T.
Crout, and the boatswain, Mr. Pasco, some marines and seamen,
amounting to about 30 altogether, to make a more intimate
acquaintance with the stranger. The pirate gave the boats an
intimation of what they were to expect as they neared, by opening on
them a heavy fire of round-shot, grape, and canister, in such a
spirited style, that, after returning the compliment by a volley of
musketry, the boats prepared for hard work. Animated by the show of
resistance, each boat now emulated the other in reaching the enemy,
the pirate continuing a sharp fire as they steadily advanced; the
marines as briskly using their muskets. In half an hour from the
discharge of the first gun from the slaver, the boats of the
'Pantaloon' were alongside; Lieut. Prevost and Mr. Pasco on the
starboard, and Mr. Crout, in the cutter, on the port side. The
pirate crew, sheltering themselves as much as possible, nevertheless
continued to fire the guns, loading them with all sorts of missiles,
bullets, nails, lead, &c.; and amidst a shower of these our brave
sailors and marines dashed on board. Lieut. Prevost and his party,
in the two boats, were soon on the deck of the prize. The master
boarded on the port bow, and, despite the formidable resistance and
danger, followed by one of his boat's crew, actually attempted to
enter the port as they were firing the gun from it. He succeeded in
getting through, but his seconder was knocked overboard by the
discharge. The gallant fellow, however, nothing daunted, was in an
instant up the side again, taking part with the master, who was
engaged in a single encounter with one or two of the slaver's crew.
Having gained the deck after a most determined resistance, they now
encountered the pirates hand to hand, when the cutlass and bayonet
did the remainder of the work. Lieut. Prevost finally succeeded in
capturing the vessel, but the pirates fought desperately, and it was
not until 7 of their number lay dead on the deck, and 7 or 8 more
were severely wounded, that they ran below and yielded. In the
encounter, 2 British seamen were killed; the master and boatswain,
and 5 others, were severely wounded. Lieut. Prevost received
immediate promotion.
LIEUT. MANSFIELD AND PRIZE CREW--DEFENCE OF THE
'ROMEO PRIMERO,' AGAINST AN ATTEMPT AT RECAPTURE,
1847.
On the 22nd of July, 1847, H.M.S. 'Waterwitch,' with H.M.S. 'Rapid,'
in company, captured the Brazilian brigantine 'Romeo Primero,' which
was subsequently given in charge to Lieut. W. G. Mansfield, R.N., and
four seamen, to be conveyed to St. Helena for adjudication. Owing to
adverse winds, and the unmanageable qualities of the prize, the
officer in command found it necessary to alter his destination, and
to bear up for Sierra Leone. On the 11th of August, about mid-day,
two of the crew being engaged aloft and the others in the bunks,
where the arms were stowed, the lieutenant, being at the moment
pulling a rope which had been recently spliced, was murderously
assailed from behind by one of the prisoners with an axe used for
chopping firewood. There were four of them who were during the
day-time allowed the liberty of the vessel. At the same moment, the
other three prisoners furiously attacked the sailors in the bunks,
who, from the unexpected nature of the assault, were driven from
their post wounded and unarmed. Lieut. Mansfield, laying hold of a
piece of firewood, gallantly, but unequally, contended with a
Brazilian, armed with a cutlass; in the course of a desperate
struggle the officer received no fewer than nine wounds, more or less
severe; a great coat which he wore being, under Providence, the means
of saving him from instant death. The two sailors who had been
occupied in the shrouds, having reached the deck, of course, unarmed,
the lieutenant, nearly exhausted by profuse hæmorrhage, made a
violent effort to join them, in which he fortunately proved
successful, though in his progress one of the prisoners discharged at
him a marine's musket, the contents of which took effect, inflicting
a most dangerous wound on his head, and bringing him for an instant
to the deck. Having succeeded in recovering his feet and gaining his
men, he encouraged them to rush aft upon their armed antagonists; a
piece of service which three of their number performed in the most
daring manner; the fourth seaman (since dead) being _hors de combat_
from his wounds, and the lieutenant himself fainting at the instant
from loss of blood. The intrepidity of the three British tars
rendered them more than a match for their armed antagonists, whom
they speedily overpowered; one of the prisoners leaping overboard and
perishing in the waves. Believing their officer to be killed, the
seamen, in the excitement of the moment, were about to hurl the
surviving prisoners over the gangway, when Lieut. Mansfield,
partially reviving, ordered them to be imprisoned, that their wounds
should be washed, and that they should be reserved to be dealt with
by the authorities at Sierra Leone. On the 1st of September, the
'Romeo Primero,' the scene of this bloody encounter, entered the
port. Lieut. Mansfield, who, since the day of the conflict, had
scarcely been able to stir hand or foot, was promptly conveyed to
sick-quarters, and for many days his life was entirely despaired of
by his medical attendants. The gallant little crew, all wounded,
were also looked after in the best manner which skill and sympathy
could suggest, but two were soon beyond the reach of human succour;
one dying of the direct consequences of his wounds, and the second,
of fever induced by them. After a fortnight of extreme danger on
shore, Lieut. Mansfield showed symptoms of recovery, and in the same
year received the rank of commander.
RESCUE OF SLAVES IN THE RIVER PONGOS, BY
COMMANDER H. DUNLOP, H.M.S. 'ALERT,'
1849.
Captain Dunlop, of H.M.S. 'Alert,' having anchored off Biombo Point,
on the night of the 10th of December, 1849, his object was to
ascertain with as little delay as possible whether the slaves that he
supposed Jozé Vaurell had sent up from the river Pongos were still in
the barracoons of the slave-dealer, Don Victor, as by that means he
could judge whether any slaver had been lately in the river, or
whether it was probable that one was expected. With this view, he
sent the pinnace, in charge of the second lieutenant, to examine the
St. Martinho and other creeks, in the immediate vicinity of the ship,
up one of which Capt. Dunlop had reason to think Don Victor's
barracoons were. He directed the officer to land the pilot wherever
it was probable he could with safety obtain information; the pilot
being a native of this part of the country, Capt. Dunlop had hopes
that he might be found useful.
The pinnace brought back intelligence of the exact locality of the
barracoons, and that there were certainly slaves in them; Captain
Dunlop therefore determined to wait for some days, in hopes of
intercepting the vessel sent for this cargo. On the 22nd instant the
pilot was sent on shore, with a party of Kroomen, to cut some wood at
Biombo Point, and while so engaged, some of the slaves came to him
and told him that Don Victor had a number of slaves in chains in his
barracoons who were very ill-treated; that it was against the law of
their country to carry on the slave-trade, and that they hoped the
English would liberate these slaves; and that their king (whose name
is Branco, King of Biombo) would himself have gone on board the
man-of-war to make the same request, but that he was ill. This
announcement was quite voluntary on the part of these natives, and
they received no present of any kind, either before or after making
it.
On hearing this intelligence Capt. Dunlop determined, as far as lay
in his power, to turn it to the advantage of the unfortunate people
chained in the barracoons; he, therefore, at daylight the next
morning took the boats up the creek and landed at the town where the
barracoons were, and having personally communicated with the natives
through an interpreter, he found that what the pilot had told him was
strictly true as regarded their feelings; and he received a second
message from the king, stating his inability to come and see Capt.
Dunlop in consequence of his illness, and the distance of the town in
which he resided from the place where Capt. Dunlop then was. Capt.
Dunlop then took a party of men with him and proceeded towards Don
Victor's barracoon. The latter met Capt. Dunlop on the way, who told
him that he understood he had slaves in his barracoon; that the king
and natives of the country represented to him that Don Victor's
having slaves for exportation was contrary to their laws, and that,
although afraid to do so themselves, they had applied to him to
liberate them; that, consequently, he should take them out of the
barracoons, and give them their choice of either remaining where they
were at liberty, or of going with him to Sierra Leone. Don Victor at
once confessed that the slaves were in the barracoon, but said that
they did not belong to him, but were the property of Jozé Vaurell,
who had sent them up from the Pongos, and that he merely took charge
of them for him until such time as they could be shipped.
Capt. Dunlop then entered the barracoons and found 21 slaves, 19 of
whom were heavily ironed; the two without irons were in a dying
state. He had the irons knocked off by one of Victor's own men, and
the slaves were then told they were at liberty; but that, if they
were afraid to remain where they were, they might go with Capt.
Dunlop to Sierra Leone, upon which they all proceeded to the boats,
with the exception of the two above mentioned, who were too ill to be
moved. Capt. Dunlop then requested Don Victor to accompany him to
another barracoon he had some miles higher up the creek, which he
immediately consented to do. At the second barracoon Capt. Dunlop
found 48 slaves, men, women, and children included: as they were on a
small island on the creek, from, which they could not easily have
escaped, they were not kept in irons during the day, but were chained
by the neck to each other at night. The same choice of staying in
the country at liberty, or of going to Sierra Leone, was given to the
slaves, when they all immediately declared their wish to be taken
away, excepting one woman, who was accordingly left behind, and who
had probably connected herself with one of Don Victor's people. Not
being able conveniently to stow so many people in their boats, Capt.
Dunlop borrowed a canoe from some of the natives, in which to put a
part of them, promising to return the canoe the next day, and to pay
for the use of it; but when the money was offered to them, they
positively refused to receive it, and therefore, from first to last,
got no present of any kind. This circumstance is merely mentioned to
show how decidedly their feelings were in favour of Capt. Dunlop
liberating these slaves, as they were, on other occasions,
exceedingly alive to the advantages to be derived from the possession
of money, and made those who purchased fowls or fruit pay a high
price for them. Capt. Dunlop having ascertained from the liberated
negroes that there were about 30 more slaves who had been sent up
lately from the Pongos by Jozé Vaurell, on a small island called
Papagaio, within a few miles of the ship, he took the boats there the
next day. When he landed, Don Victor's men positively denied that
any slaves were there; but upon sending parties to search the island,
they very soon discovered, hid in the thickest part of the jungle, a
party of 15 slaves, chained by the neck, who pointed where 19 women
and children were likewise hidden. The chains being taken off these
people, they expressed their anxiety to be taken on board Capt.
Dunlop's ship, which he accordingly did; and finding that he had now
liberated all the slaves held by Don Victor, with the exception of
the two dying men (whom it was impossible to move from the place
where they were lying), and the woman who wished to remain, he lost
no time in proceeding with them to Sierra Leone.
CAPTURE OF A SLAVER BY H.M.S. 'PHŒNIX,' COMMANDER
WODEHOUSE,
1850.
On the morning of the 13th of April, 1850, whilst H.M. steam-vessel
'Phœnix' was dodging about on her cruizing-ground, the exciting
cry of "Sail, oh!" from the mast-head was a sufficient inducement to
get her steam up and make all possible sail in chase. The stranger
was about 14 miles off when first seen, and running towards the
'Phœnix' under all studding-sails; but no sooner did she discern
the English cruizer (and a steamer to boot), than she took in every
studding-sail, and hauled dead on a wind which soon proved what she
was to the satisfaction of all on board the 'Phœix.' She was
chased from one o'clock until eight, P.M., the last two hours of the
chase being so dark that there was some risk of losing sight of her,
when, after six or eight 63-pound shot had been dropped uncomfortably
close to her, she hove to and showed a light over the stern, it being
very dark. The 'Phœnix' then ranged up alongside of her to
leeward, when the slavers, driven to desperation at their being
captured, put the helm up, filled and ran right into the cruizer, no
doubt thinking she was a paddle-wheel steamer, and intending to
damage the wheels. However, the 'Phœnix' bore the shock nobly.
The slaver struck her on the starboard bow, and only carried away a
few of the shifting bulwarks and a little iron-work of the
'Phœnix,' leaving on board her jib and flying jib-boom, with all
the sails and gear attached, which were broken off short. She then
gradually dropped astern close alongside the 'Phœnix,' which still
had a great deal of way on her, though the engines were stopped
immediately, when the gear in-board of the 'Phœnix' by which she
was hanging dragged her fore-top-gallant-mast, top-gallant-sail, and
royal and main-top-mast, with all the gear and sails attached, over
the side. She then dropped astern clear of the ship, a perfect
wreck, her bowsprit, completely unshipped, lying over her starboard
bow--her masts gone by the board, lower masts unstepped, and her
cut-water and bows completely knocked to pieces, and leaking like a
sieve. A well-manned and armed boat was immediately sent in charge
of the first-lieutenant to take possession of her. On first boarding
her a large poopoo-tub was found with a small spar placed in it, and
a lantern lashed to the top of the spar all ready to be put
overboard, with the intention of misleading the British cruizer into
going in chase of it instead of the vessel, but the 'Phœnix' was
too old in the service to be duped by this common device.
The crew of the slaver were landed the next day, and a survey held on
the prize, which proved so crippled and unseaworthy that she was
forthwith burned. Eight slavers were captured by H.M.S. 'Phœnix'
about the same time.
CAPTURE OF THE SLAVER 'ANNE D. RICHARDSON,' BY
H.M. STEAM-FRIGATE 'PLUTO,' COMMANDER JOLIFFE,
1850.
On the morning of the 14th of February, 1850, about half-past six
o'clock A.M., a sail was seen from the deck of H.M.S. 'Pluto,'
cruizing off the coast, but owing to a dense fog she could not be
made out. The steam was immediately got up, and the 'Pluto'
proceeded in chase. About seven o'clock the stranger was made out to
be a large barque standing along the land on the starboard tack. She
hoisted no colours as the cruiser approached her, although the
'Pluto' had carried hers from the time she was first sighted. As the
'Pluto' passed under her stern, the captain was ordered to hoist his
colours, and forthwith the American ensign was shown. On being
requested to heave to, he refused, saying he could not afford to lose
time, but on the request being repeated, he complied, and Commander
Joliffe then going on board, demanded his papers, which he produced,
with the exception of the manifest of his cargo. On closely
examining his papers, Commander Joliffe observed that two signatures
which should have been in the same hand were signed by different
hands; this immediately excited suspicion, which was strengthened by
the fact that the whole of the vessel's sails were made of light
cotton canvas, and of such a size that no legal trader could afford
to carry a sufficient number of men to work them. He stated his
doubt and pointed out the signatures, which, not being accounted for,
he returned on board; and on referring to the officers and ship's
company, he decided upon detaining her on suspicion. Lieut. Shewell
was therefore sent with a party of men to take charge of her. The
captain of the barque inquired what was to be done with her, and on
being answered that he would be sent to an American man-of-war unless
he opened his hatches and proved he was an honest man, the main
hatchway was opened, and a Brazilian crew, 13 in number, found
concealed on a slave-deck. The captain then hauled his colours down
and threw them overboard, after which the barque was taken in tow and
brought to an anchor off Ambriz, her captain protesting against the
whole proceeding, stating that he was a lawful trader and should
protect his vessel; though, on preparations being made to send him
away for that purpose on the following morning, he withdrew his
protest, and gave certificates stating that he did not claim the
protection of any nation, and did not wish to defend his vessel. He
was then landed with the passengers and crew, at their own request,
and the prize sent to St. Helena for adjudication.