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| Name | Warspite (1807) | Explanation | |
| Type | Third rate | ||
| Launched | 16 November 1807 | ||
| Hull | Wooden | ||
| Propulsion | Sail | ||
| Builders measure | 1890 tons | ||
| Displacement | |||
| Guns | 76 | ||
| Fate | 1876 | ||
| Class | |||
| Ships book | |||
| Note | 1840 reduced to 50 guns. 1862 lent as t.s. 1876.01.03 burn by accident at Woolwich | ||
| Snippets concerning this vessels career | |||
| Date | Event | ||
| 21 December 1826 - 2 November 1827 | Commanded by Captain Richard Saunders Dundas, Australia | ||
| 22 January 1830 - 26 November 1830 | Commanded by Captain William Henry Shirreff, flagship of Rear-Admiral Thomas Baker, North America and West Indies | ||
| 28 November 1830 - 26 March 1833 | Commanded by Captain Charles Talbot, flagship of Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Baker, South America (where he rescued the Brazilian Emperor, Pedro I, during the insurrection in Rio de Janeiro on 6 April 1831 which forced his abdication) | ||
| (January 1840) | Out of commission at Portsmouth | ||
| 17 August 1841 - October 1843 | Commanded by Captain Lord John Hay, North America and West Indies | ||
| 13 October 1843 - April 1846 | Commanded by Captain Provo William Parry Wallis, Mediterranean | ||
| 3 January 1876 | Burn by accident (or arson) at Woolwich (no loss of life) | ||
| Extracts from the Times newspaper | |||
| Date | Extract | ||
| Sa 8 August 1840 | The Warspite has been cut down to a 50-gun frigate at Portsmouth, and she is now a most splendid vessel, and has been highly approved of by every naval officer who has seen her. | ||
| Ma 2 November 1840 | The Vengeance, 84, will be taken out of dock on Monday, 9th instant, and will then be rigged under the superintendence of Mr. Miller, the master of the Victory. The masts and yards are selected for the St. Vincent. Neptune, Warspite, and Vindictive. The Trincomalee and Madagascar are in every respect ready for commission, the bulkheads and interior fittings being all complete. | ||
| Fr 5 February 1841 | Portsmouth.— An augmentation of the Royal Marine Corps has been ordered, report says, to the extent of 3,000 men, which is strongly indicative of a further increase to the navy in the spring. Several splendid ships at the different ports are silently, but expeditiously, being completed for commission. The Vindictive, and Warspite, 50-gun ships, are ordered for commission at this port, as soon as ready. The former is said to be intended for the Lisbon command, with a Commodore's pendant. Rear-Admiral Sir Edward King, K.C.B., reached Rio de Janeiro in the Southampton frigate, from Plymouth on the 14th of November, and was to proceed to the Pacific in about ten days, to succeed Rear-Admiral Ross, C.B., who will return to England in the President frigate, and may be expected home about April next. The Inconstant, 36, Captain Pring, has received orders to proceed to the Mediterranean, it is reported to supply the place of the Pique, 36, ordered home to be docked, &c. She was to leave Plymouth on Tuesday for Malta, taking out between 300 and 400 volunteer seamen for disposal in the fleet. The Endymion frigate, Captain the Hon. F.W. Grey, is under orders for the East Indies, to join Rear-Admiral Elliott's squadron, for whom she will take despatches and supernumeraries for the squadron. The corvette Tweed, 20, Commander Douglas, has bent sails, and is waiting Admiralty orders. It is said she will proceed to the South American station. The corvette Iris, 26, Captain Nurse, has left Spithead for service on the coast of Africa. She took despatches for the senior officer there. It is reported that the Andromache, 26, Captain Baynes, is to go to the East Indies from the Cape of Good Hope. The steamer Lizard, Lieutenant Estcourt, will leave this harbour to-morrow, for the Mediterranean, taking despatches for Sir Robert Stopford. The brig Pelican, 16, Commander Napier, is waiting Admiralty orders at Spithead; she is in want of several petty officers to complete her crew. The Monarch, 84, Captain Chambers, will be at Spithead, according to a private letter, on the 8th instant, from Sheerness.— Brighton Gazette. | ||
| Ma 8 February 1841 | (From the Hampshire Telegraph of Saturday.) The Inconstant, 36, Captain Pring, sailed on Tuesday, from Plymouth, for the Mediterranean; and the Endymion, 36, Captain the Hon. F. Gray, on the same day, for the East Indies.The Iris, 26, Captain Nurse, arrived at Plymouth, from this port, on Monday, on her way to the coast of Africa. The Warspite, 50, and Vindictive, 50, are both proceeding fast at this port, for commissioning. The Lizard steam vessel, Lieutenant Estcourt, sailed to-day for Malta, touching at Plymouth and Falmouth. | ||
| Ma 12 April 1841 | (From the Hampshire Telegraph of Saturday.) The St. Vincent, Madagascar, and Fair Rosamond, were put out of the basin on Monday, and the Vindictive and Warspite on Tuesday, in order that the basin might be run dry, to repair the works of the wood-mills.The Mercury sailed to-day for Sheerness, with a lieutenant of the Indus on board, to volunteer men from the Asia for that ship. The Emerald sailed yesterday for Devonport, with seamen gunners for the Cornwallis. The keel of a second class steamer, to be called the Thunderbolt, was laid down in this dockyard on Wednesday last. | ||
| Fr 23 April 1841 | Portsmouth.— There is a report that the Warspite, 50, is to be forthwith commissioned here, for the broad pendant of Commodore Sir Charles Napier, who is to have the command in the Pacific. The line-of-battle ships, Edinburgh, 72, Captain Henderson, and Bellerophon, 78, Captain C.J. Austen, are ordered home from the Mediterranean to be paid off, and may shortly be expected to arrive. The Hastings, 72, Captain Lawrence, will leave Malta for England, for the same purpose, in May next. The transport Belle Alliance, in command of Lieutenant Densten, has put into Plymouth from Deptford, with naval and ordnance stores for the squadron in the China seas. The Fair Rosamond schooner has been commissioned at this port by Lieutenant Bulman, for service on the coast of Africa. The Bonetta brigantine, Lieutenant Austen, fitting out at Chatham, is to go to the same station, and to be at Spithead by the 23th inst. The Stag, 46, Commodore Thomas Sullivan, recently from the Brazils, will haul down the pendant on Friday at Plymouth, and be hauled into dock to be surveyed as to her fitness for re-commissioning. The surveying vessel Thunder, Commander G. Barnett, according to private letters, will be in England in July next, to be paid on, from the Bahamas. The brig Acorn, 16, Commander Adams, has reached Plymouth from the Cape station, and is ordered to be refitted there without delay. She left Simon's-bay on the 28th of January, at which date Rear-Admiral Elliot had not arrived from China on his homeward voyage. Rear-Admiral Sir Edward King, K.C.B., was daily expected to arrive at the Cape from the Rio Plata in the Southampton frigate. The Acorn brought no news. The steam frigate Salamander, Commander Henry, returned to Sheerness on Monday, being ordered for some special service forthwith. The Asia, 84, recently from the Mediterranean, is to be forthwith reported upon, for recommissioning at Sheerness. Several large frigates and steamships are in active progress of completion for commission, should any emergency arise. — Brighton Gazette. | ||
| Ma 16 August 1841 | The Warspite, 50, at this port [Portsmouth], is to be commissioned by Captain Lord John Hay | ||
| Ma 20 September 1841 | The Warspite, 50, Captain Lord John Hay, was taken out of the dock into the basin on Tuesday, to be fitted; and the Belvidera, 36, taken into the dock on the same day. | ||
| Th 23 September 1841 | PORTSMOUTH, Sept, 21.— The Hazard, 18, Captain the Hon. J.B. Elliot, son of Lord Minto, arrived at the Motherbank on Monday, from the Mediterranean; she is at present performing quarantine, having had communication with men of war previous to leaving Malta, which had been at Alexandria. The Hazard is expected to be paid off at Plymouth, at which port Captain Elliot will commission the Spartan, 26, the finest vessel of her class in the service. By a recent order from the new Board of Admiralty, a considerable increase of men are to be sent to every ship. The Warspite, of 50 guns, Captain Lord John Hay, has been directed to complete to 500 men, an increase of 84 seamen. This desirable and essential regulation will no doubt induce seamen to readily enter the service; finding the duties of the late under-manned. ships must now be performed with considerable less labour.-— Standard. | ||
| Ma 1 November 1841 | One of the seamen belonging to the Warspite met with a most miraculous escape from being dashed to pieces; he fell from the main-top and pitched, fortunately, on his legs, and when asked if he was hurt walked away; but it is feared he must have injured himself internally, and not felt it at the moment he was asked the question. | ||
| Tu 21 December 1841 | Her Majesty's ship Warspite, 50, Captain Lord John Hay, will be ready to go out of harbour this week. | ||
| Th 23 December 1841 | There is now no doubt that it is the intention of His Majesty the King of Prussia to attend in person at the Christening of the infant Prince of Wales, and that a squadron of ships of war will be despatched from this country to convey him and his retinue to England. The vessel which is specially destined for the conveyance of His Majesty is understood to be Her Majesty’s ship Warspite, 50, Captain Lord John Hay, C.B., and there is no question that this is correct, for she is perfectly ready for sea, and was to have gone out of harbour last Monday, but has been detained, and is now being fitted up in such a style as plainly to indicate the nature of the service for which she is intended. The Government could not have selected a better ship for this purpose, as she is a splendid frigate, carrying 50 guns, with a complement of 500 men. She has very superior accommodations, has plenty of room, and is in every way well adapted for the reception of the illustrious passenger about to embark on board of her. She has an excellent ship's company, being a selection from the Britannia, Orestes, and other men-of-war which have been recently paid off, and she is commanded by an able and experienced officer, who, while enforcing the fulfilment of those duties indispensable on board a man-of-war, is kind and indulgent to those under his command. As the Warspite has only these internal decorations and fittings up to complete, being otherwise perfectly equipped, she will be ready to proceed on her mission in a few days.It is not at present known what vessels will accompany the Warspite, but it is supposed that the Thalia, 42; Captain C. Hope; and the Volage, 26, Captain Sir W. Dickson, both of which ships are daily expected here, will be appointed to this service. This is not improbable, as they are both in a sufficient state of forwardness to undertake this duty, which will scarcely cause them any delay in proceeding to the destinations for which they were originally intended. | ||
| We 29 December 1841 | PORTSMOUTH, Tuesday. The Thalia, 42, Captain C. Hope, arrived at Spithead yesterday from the eastward. She has recently come from Leith, where she has been very successful in procuring volunteers to join her. The Powerful, 84, Captain M. Seymour, will come into the harbour this day, and will be paid off as soon as she is unrigged. She was to have come in yesterday, but was prevented by the thick fog which was prevailing at the time the tide would admit of her entering the harbour. Vice-Admiral Sir J.A. Ommanney has struck his flag. The Numa transport, with the detachments of the Royal Artillery and 59th Regiment on board, bound to the West Indies, is still at Spithead, but will sail to-day if the wind is in any way favourable. The detachment of the Royal Artillery has already been upwards of a month on board of her. The Queen, 110, Captain Rich, bent her sails yesterday, and is now all ataunt. She will proceed on Wednesday or Thursday to Spithead. The whole of the ships now fitting out here for foreign service, consisting of the Warspite, 50, Vindictive, 50, Rapid, 10, and Queen, 110, will go out of harbour this week. Ships at Spithead:— Powerful, 84, Thalia, 42, Hazard, 18, Snake, 16, and Numa transport. Ships in harbour.— St. Vincent, Victory, Queen, Warspite, Vindictive, Rapid, Royal George yacht, Excellent and Adventure naval transport. | ||
| Fr 31 December 1841 | Her Majesty's ship Warspite, 50, Captain Lord John Hay, is now nearly ready to undertake the distinguished duty which has been assigned to her. Her decorations are not of that nature which appertain to a yacht, but only extend to placing her at once in that high state of order, comfort, and cleanliness which characterizes a crack English man-of-war, She is, without exception, the finest frigate in the service: is high between decks, has great breadth of beam, and her length is in proportion to her breadth. She has not a single carronade on board, but mounts 52 guns of large calibre, 12 of which are long sixty-eights, and. the remaining 40 long thirty-two-pounders. Of the sixty-eights, 6 are on the mam deck, and 6 on the upper. Those on the main deck are placed amidships, 3 on each side, but those on the upper deck are distributed one on each side of the forecastle, one on each of the gangways, and one on each side the quarter deck, quite aft. It is rumoured that His Majesty the King of Prussia intends to land at Portsmouth. Though this is not at all improbable, yet neither the place where His Majesty will embark, nor that where he will land, is at present known, nor what vessels will be despatched with the Warspite to convey him, although there is no question that one or more steamers will accompany her. When Her Majesty the Queen Dowager went abroad, the Castor frigate, commanded then by the present Captain of the Warspite, and the Royal George yacht, attended by two steamers, were the vessels employed to convey Her Majesty. who, upon that occasion, landed at Helvoetsluys. | ||
| Fr 7 January 1842 | PORTSMOUTH, Thursday. The Conway, 26, Captain C.R.D. Bethune, C.B., arrived yesterday afternoon from China, with $2,000,000, weighing 65 ton, part of the ransom of Canton, on board. She landed her despatches at Plymouth, having hove-to off that port for the purpose. Upon her arrival at Spithead she did not fire the usual salute, her captain, with proper consideration, declining to do so in consideration of having invalids on board. The Conway has had a very tedious passage, and was off Plymouth some days ago. Within a few hours of her arrival, Mr. Cooper, from the Treasury, arrived by a special train on the Gosport branch of the South Western Railway, bringing an order from the Lords of the Treasury for the specie to be transferred to the terminus at Gosport, and forwarded to Vauxhall. It will be landed early tomorrow morning. The Conway has been out five years and four months from this port, where she was fitted. The Formidable, 84, Captain Sir C. Sullivan, Bart., is ordered from Sheerness, to escort the King of Prussia to England. His Majesty will embark in the Firebrand steamer (and not in the Warspite, as erroneously stated). The Formidable is to sail for Ostend on the 14th instant. | ||
| Sa 8 January 1842 | The Warspite, 50, Captain Lord John Hay, has been reported ready for sea for some days. She will go out of harbour on Tuesday, and will not remain at Spithead more than a few hours, whence she will proceed to the Downs or Sheerness, preparatory to her sailing to Ostend or Antwerp, to convey the King of Prussia to this country. She is the admiration of all the nautical men here, and a more fitting vessel could not have been selected for the honourable service in which she is about to be employed. The Vindictive, 50, Captain Toup Nicholas, is also ready for sea. She, as well as the Warspite, is a first-rate frigate, and admirably appointed; but of the two, the Warspite is considered the finer, and is nearly 200 tons heavier. The Vindictive's crew do not by any means admit of the Warspite being the finer frigate, and there is an extreme jealousy between the two ships companies on this point, so much so, that when the Warspite's and Vindictive's liberty-men meet on shore there is generally a battle between them. This has been carried to so great an extent, that the civil authorities have been obliged to interfere, there being upwards of 100 belligerents engaged in the last rencontre. There is no question, that should either of these dashing frigates be destined to fall in with an enemy of equal or even superior force, they will give a pretty good account of their opponent, and prove that their present mimic warfare among themselves is but an earnest of what they will do when opposed to the enemies of their country. | ||
| Ma 10 January 1842 | It is now understood that the squadron which will be despatched to convey the King of Prussia to this country will consist of the Warspite, 50, Captain Right Hon. Lord John Hay; the Vindictive, 50, Captain T. Toup Nicholas; the Formidable, 84, Captain Sir Charles Sullivan; and the Alfred, 50, Commodore Purvis. The two last-named ships are now at Sheerness; the Warspite and Vindictive will go round in the course of the week. After this service the Warspite will take out the Right Hon. Lord Ashburton on his mission to America [where he negotiated the Webster-Ashburton Treaty]. There will be two or three steamers, besides the Firebrand, in which vessel it is alleged His Majesty will embark, but upon this point nothing is positively known, for it entirely depends upon His Majesty’s own inclination whether he will embark in a steamer or a man-of-war. | ||
| Fr 14 January 1842 | PORTSMOUTH, Thursday, Jan. 13. The Warspite. 50, Captain Lord John Hay, hauled off from her hulk to moorings yesterday afternoon, preparatory to her going out of harbour, which it was intended she should do this day, but as the wind is right in her teeth and blowing fresh, she will be compelled to postpone her departure for Spithead until the wind moderates or becomes more favourable. A steamer of the first class, with great power, is much wanted here to assist vessels out of harbour, as the Echo Government steam tug, which is usually employed in towing vessels out to Spithead, is not sufficiently powerful to take out a large ship like the Warspite in the face of even a moderate wind. At the time the "Queen" went out of harbour the Vixen steam frigate was sent for specially to assist in taking her out. The Warspite will sail on Saturday. The North Sea Pilots, who are to take her and the Vindictive into the port where His Majesty the King of Prussia will embark, arrived here yesterday, having come round for the express purpose of undertaking the duty. It is not yet known in what particular vessel His Majesty will embark. The Warspite has been ordered to get a Prussian standard from the dock-yard, to be ready in the event of His Majesty preferring a sailing vessel to a steamer.The Vindictive, 50, Captain Toup Nicholas, which is to be the consort of the Warspite in conveying the King of Prussia j to England, has all her running gear up, and will bend her sails to-morrow. Every exertion. is being made to get her ready for sea by Saturday. The Alfred, 50, Commodore Purvis, will not be in a sufficient state of forwardness to form one of the squadron to attend on the King of Prussia, as she will not be ready for sea within three weeks. The squadron will consist of the Warspite, Vindictive, and Formidable. It is expected that Admiral Sir C. Seymour, one of the Lords of the Admiralty, will hoist his flag on board the Formidable and accompany the squadron on this special mission. | ||
| Tu 18 January 1842 | THE KING OF PRUSSIA. THE DOWNS, Monday Evening. The squadron appointed to escort His Majesty the King of Prussia to this country has been ordered to assemble here. Two of the ships have already arrived — the Warspite, 50, Captain the Hon. Lord John Hay, and the Vindictive, 50, Captain Nicholas. The Formidable, 84, Captain Sir Charles Sullivan, has left Sheerness, and is expected here every tide, together with the Firebrand, and the other steamers which are to form a portion of the expedition. The Warspite arrived here yesterday, early in the morning, and the Vindictive this afternoon. They are lying at single anchor, very near to each other, and are objects of very considerable attraction, and excite the admiration of all the nautical men assembled here, of which there are a great many at present, there being about seventy merchant vessels at anchor, wind bound. The Warspite, when she was in commission as a 74, used to sail remarkably well, and still retains her powers of speed now she has been razeed. This is the first time the Vindictive has ever been at sea, either as a razee or previous to her being cut down, for she never was in commission as a 74. From the opportunity that has been afforded in her trip from Portsmouth to this place of ascertaining her qualities, it is considered that she will prove a very good sailer. No doubt the Warspite and she will have a trial of speed while out together on their present excursion.It is expected that the squadron will leave this on Wednesday, and proceed off Ostend, and there await His Majesty’s embarkation; but of course this or any other arrangement must be subject to the wind and weather which at the time may be prevailing. There is a very great probability, that, unless the weather is extremely favourable, His Majesty will take the most direct course, and shorten his sea voyage by landing at Ramsgate. This is generally the plan adopted by King Leopold of Belgium when he visits England. According to the present arrangement, however, it is intended to take His Majesty up the river, and land him at Woolwich, the ships of war accompanying him to the Nore. It is understood, though by no means certain, that he will embark on Thursday. The fulfilment of this as well as the other arrangements must be entirely governed by the circumstances which may occur in the mean time. | ||
| We 19 January 1842 | The Downs, Tuesday.—The Warspite and the Vindictive frigates got under weigh this day, at 12 o’clock, and proceeded in company to Ostend, there to await the embarkation of His Majesty the King of Prussia, which is to take place on Thursday next. The Formidable, it is understood, will not form one of the squadron, but will be at anchor in the Nore, ready to man the yards and salute His Majesty as he passes. The Firebrand and another steamer have already gone over to Ostend, where they will be joined by the Warspite and Vindictive. The Royal Visiters.—Woolwich, Jan. 18.— The Firebrand steam vessel, Commander John Neale Nott, was expected to leave her moorings at half-past 1 o’clock to-day, to proceed to Ostend, to be in waiting to receive the King of Prussia, but had not sailed at 4 o’clock, in consequence of some defect being discovered in her engines when she got her steam up and was ready to start. A numerous party went on board the Firebrand so late as 11 o’clock last night, several of whom were the guests of the Lord Mayor yesterday after being present at the laying of the foundation stone of the Royal Exchange. The Shearwater steam vessel, Captain Washington, has her steam up, and is ready to sail from her moorings opposite the dockyard, to form part of the squadron destined to accompany the King of Prussia to this country. The Lightning steam vessel, second master H.K. Bowen, having given satisfaction during her experimental trip yesterday, has been ordered to form part of the squadron, and has her steam up to-day in readiness to proceed with the Firebrand and Shearwater steam vessels to Ostend. The orders have not yet been issued defining the duties of the troops of the garrison of Woolwich on the day of the arrival of the King of Prussia in England, but the highest authorities in these matters state that the Guard of Honour of the Royal Marines will have to attend at Greenwich on Friday, the 21st inst., as the arrival of his Majesty is now expected to take place on that day, or early on the following morning, if no unforeseen circumstance retard the vessels in their voyage. It is now more generally the opinion in all quarters that the landing of the King of Prussia will take place at Greenwich. Their Majesties the Kings of Prussia and Belgium will land at the Royal Hospital, Greenwich, on Friday next, at 12 o’clock (weather permitting). They will be received by his Royal Highness Prince Albert, the Cabinet Ministers, Admiral Sir Robert Stopford, the Governor, the Foreign Ambassadors, and corps diplomatique. The Royal Marines, as a guard of honour, will be drawn up in the grand square. The pensioners, of which there are 2,710 within the hospital, under the command of Lieutenants Rivers and Bedford, will range round the quadrangle. The one-armed and one-legged college men who have fought under Nelson, Collingwood, and other naval heroes, will be placed at the royal landing-place, through these the distinguished visitors will pass. The boys of the upper and lower school of the Naval Asylum, under the command of Lieutenant Rouse, R.N., will be drawn up at the steps between the painted hall and the chapel. Lieutenants Tucker, Felton, De Montmorency, and Casey, will have charge of the gate. The east gate is for the admission only of those who have tickets; the west gate for ingress and egress of the carriages of the Royal family and the Cabinet Ministers and Ambassadors. All the naval and other officers are to appear in their full uniforms, and the pensioners and scholars in their best suits. The east side of the grand square will be appropriated to the officers’ families and the persons admitted by tickets of admission, which are from the Governor only. Their Majesties do not intend visiting any part of the institution, as the entire procession will proceed to Windsor Castle, via. Camberwell and Wandsworth, shortly after their landing. The landing-place will be covered with crimson carpeting, as well as the pathway leading to the Royal carriages. The splendid bands of the Royal Marines and Royal Artillery will be in attendance. Some strong detachments of cavalry will also attend, and a sufficient body of the metropolitan police, together with Mr. T. Fisher, high constable of the borough. and the local authorities. | ||
| Fr 28 January 1842 | PERILOUS SITUATION OF HER MAJESTY’S SHIP VINDICTIVE. The Vindictive, 50, Captain Toup Nicholas, C.B., left the Downs in company with the Warspite, for Spithead; she has not yet arrived. It is supposed the Vindictive will take out Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane recently appointed to the East India command. The Hastings, 74, at present preparing to pay off at this port, will, next week, be recommissioned by Captain H.W. Bruce, as the permanent flag-ship of Sir T. Cochrane. The Spy, 10, Lieutenant Potbury, sailed yesterday for Plymouth. The Queen, 110, Captain Rich, flag-ship of Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Owen (red at the fore), Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean, will be ready for sea next week, having a complement of upwards of 1,000 men. The Formidable, 80, Captain Sir C. Sullivan, with the Alfred, 50, Commodore J.B. Purvis, are ordered to this port from the eastward. The former ship proceeds to the Mediterranean, and the latter for South America. The Revenge, 78, Captain the Hon. W. Waldegrave, is daily expected at Spithead from the Mediterranean, to be paid off; as also the Winchester, 52, Captain Carter, from North America, to be recommissioned by Captain C. Eden, for the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir J. Percy, ordered to the Cape of Good Hope as Commander-in-Chief, vice King. Noon. Since writing the above, Her Majesty's ship Vindictive has been discovered in a perilous situation, at anchor near the dangerous sand or shoal called "the Dean," off St. Helen's. It is at present blowing a gale of wind from W. by S.. and should it not moderate, great fears are entertained that this splendid frigate will ground on the edge of the shoal.4 p.m. The Vindictive has unfortunately grounded on "the Dean," with her mizenmast cut away, and a heavy sea breaking over her, owing to the violence of the wind, now blowing a strong gale about W.S.W., with every appearance of the wind increasing. She has fired several guns, and made signate of distress. Unfortunately there is only one small steamer belonging to Government now here; two dockyard lighters are gone to her assistance with anchors and cables. It is feared little or no good can be rendered this ill-fated ship, owing to the lateness of the day; and, from her alarming position, white the present gale continues, it would be attended with danger getting boats on board her. The Vindictive is a new frigate, built at this dockyard, on Mr. Blake's plan. This is the first time of her going to sea. The greatest anxiety and suspense will naturally prevail during the night as to the fate of this noble ship, with her gallant crew, near 400 in number.(FROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT.) PORTSMOUTH, Wednesday, 9 o’clock, p.m. I regret to inform you that the fine ship Vindictive, 50. Captain T. Nicholas, C.B., K.H., is now aground on "the Dean," having taken the ground this day at noon, and remained there, with the sea beating over her, till night hid her from our view. The last glimpse we had of her, her mizen had gone over the side — most probably cut away. At it will not be high-water till midnight, and the ship would of course be much strained, it is feared she will drive on the iron coast of Selsy Bill; if so, the most serious consequences may be dreaded.LATER INTELLIGENCE. PORTSMOUTH, Thursday. The Vindictive, 50,Captain J.T. Nicholas, took the ground on the "Dean" Bank, near Spithead, yesterday morning and was, last night, considered to be in imminent peril; am happy, however, to inform you she got off this morning with the loss only of her mizen mast, the wind fortunately having shifted from S.W. to N.W. | ||
| Sa 29 January 1842 | PORTSMOUTH, Jan. 28. The Vindictive will go into harbour at high water to-day, and will be taken into dock to be examined, in order to ascertain to what extent she has been injured by her late disaster. It was intended that she should proceed to China with the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir T. Cochrane; but whether such intention will now be carried out will depend entirely upon the state she is found to be in upon examination, and how long it will take to repair the damage she bas sustained.The Warspite returned to Spithead on Tuesday evening last. Her powers of sailing are found to surpass even the most sanguine expectations of those who knew her of old, when as a 74 on the South American station, with the flag of Admiral Sir T. Baker, she was noted as a fast sailer, and made one of the quickest passages from Rio to this country on record. On Monday night, at 11 o'clock, she was in company with the Vindictive, off the South Foreland, and on the Tuesday morning she anchored at Spithead, while the Vindictive did not reach the offing until Tuesday afternoon, and was obliged to bring up there, the tide being against her and the wind having dropped. It was in removing from the anchorage to endeavour to reach Spithead on the following morning that she unfortunately got on shore. The Warspite sails admirably, even in a moderate breeze, but it is when the wind is fresh that she displays her speed to the greatest advantage. It is considered by competent judges that few, if any, ships in our own, or any other service, can equal her. She is now having her bulk heads fitted up to make the additional cabins necessary for the accommodation of Lord Ashburton and suite. The Hastings, 74, is nearly unrigged, and will be paid off to-morrow. The Queen, 110, is likely to remain at Spithead for three or four weeks longer, as she is still considerably short of her complement of hands, and it is expected it will take that time before she obtains the whole of them. | ||
| Ma 31 January 1842 | PORTSMOUTH, Sunday. The Wolverine, 16, Commander Johnson, arrived this morning from the eastward. She will complete her stores and ship's company at this port, whence she will proceed to China.The Vindictive has been taken into dock, and upon being examined all her injuries are found to be forward, and not abaft, as was supposed from her mizen-mast having been cut away. It appears that nearly the whole of her false keel is gone, and that about 30 feet of her main-keel forward are destroyed, her gripe is gone, the stern about 7 feet up destroyed, her frame much shook, her copper much ruffled, and the oakum for about three streaks from the garboard is started fore and aft. It will be necessary to take out her guns and all her stores before she can be repaired; and it is considered that it will take a month or six weeks before she can again be got ready for sea. It is understood that there will be a court-martial to investigate the matter. The Ringdove, 16, was commissioned yesterday afternoon by Commander Sir W. Daniel. The Lively cutter, which went out of harbour with an anchor and cables and a number of riggers on board, to assist the Vindictive when on shore on Wednesday, was unable to reach her, but was blown out to sea by the hurricane, with the loss of her jib, mainsail, and bowsprit. She, however, got safe into the Downs on Thursday. The Warspite is expected to leave on Tuesday week, the 8th of February, with Lord Ashburton and suite, for New York. It is expected that the Edinburgh, 72, will be commissioned for the flag of Sir Thomas Cochrane, which it was intended should have been hoisted on board the Vindictive. | ||
| Fr 4 February 1842 | The Rapid, 10, Lieutenant-Commander E.C. Earle, went out of harbour yesterday afternoon. She has her full complement of men, and will be paid in advance to-morrow, previous to her sailing for the coast of Africa, where she is to be stationed. It is understood that she will touch at Plymouth. Several officers are going out in her as passengers, to join the various ships on the station to which they have been recently appointed. The Hastings, 74, Captain J. Lawrence, C.B., was paid off yesterday. Many of her hands have volunteered into the Queen and other ships fitting out here. The Warspite, 50, Captain the Right Hon. Lord John Hay, C.B., after proceeding to New York with Lord Ashburton, will join the squadron stationed at the West Indies and North America, under the command of Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Adams, K.C.B. It is expected that Lord Ashburton and suite will embark on Monday or Tuesday next, and that the Warspite will sail on the same or the following day. The Queen, 110, Captain G.F. Rich, is now quite ready for sea, with the exception of not having yet completed her complement of men. These, however, she is now procuring very fast. She obtained yesterday a number of volunteers from the Hastings when that ship was paid off, and she is continually receiving men who have been brought from various seaports in the kingdom to join her. 22 volunteers for her are expected daily from Bristol, under the charge of Mr Molesworth, on board the Mercury cutter, which was disabled in the Bristol Channel during the late severe gales. Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Owen will re-hoist his flag on board of her in a few days. She will be at least three weeks before she leaves for the Mediterranean. The Vindictive, 50, Captain J. Toup Nicholas, has had all her masts, guns and stores, taken out, and was docked yesterday morning. The shipwrights are at work upon her, and she is to be got ready for sea again with all possible despatch. The Geyser, Commander E.J. Carpenter, and the Growler, Commander C.H.M. Buckle, steam-frigates, will come round here from the eastward to complete their stores and complement of men, preparatory to proceeding to a foreign station. The Alfred, 50, Commodore J.B. Purvis, is expected daily from Sheerness. She is the same class vessel as the Vindictive, Several of the Hastings' ship’s company have volunteered into her, and will join her when she comes round to Spithead. The President, 50, Captain Broughton, is expected home from the South American station every day, the Dublin, 50, Captain T. Tucker, having arrived there some months since to relieve her. | ||
| Th 10 February 1842 | PORTSMOUTH, Wednesday. The Rapid, 10, Lieutenant Commander E.C. Earle, sailed yesterday morning for the coast of Africa. She carries out despatches to the officer in command at the station.The Alban steam-vessel, which was despatched last week to Bristol to assist the Mercury which was nearly lost during the late gales, returned to this port yesterday afternoon with the Mercury in tow. She has brough a number of volunteers for the Queen. The Queen, 110, Captain Rich, has all her stores on board and is fast completing her complement of men. On Saturday, the Speedy cutter, arrived from the eastward with several volunteers for her, and yesterday she received a number from the Alban steamer from Bristol. She, however, will not sail before the 1st of March, as most of the hands which joined her from the Hastings have three weeks’ leave of absence. The Vindictive, 50, Captain Toup Nicholas, will be ready for sea again in about three weeks. The shipwrights are busily employed in repairing her, and have already made considerable progress. It is expected she will be able to go out of dock in less than a fortnight; after which there will be but very little delay in equipping her, as she has all her rigging and gear already fitted, except that belonging to her mizen-mast, which was cast away. Although the Warspite had the advantage of her in sailing in the recent trial between the two ships, yet she is a very fast sailing ship, and if put in better trim than she was upon that occasion, being too much down by the head, it is doubtful if she would be bested in sailing by the Warspite or any other vessel. The Wolverine, 16, Commander T.S. Johnson, will be paid in advance in a few days, preparatory to her proceeding to China. She is only waiting to complete her ship's company, of which she is at present a few hands short. The Warspite, 50, Captain Right Hon. Lord John Hay, C.B., is all ready to proceed on her destination at a moment’s notice. Lord Ashburton has not yet come down, but is expected this evening. In the event of his arriving to-day, she will leave tomorrow, though she will have to beat down Channel, unless the wind changes, it being at present from the westward. The Carysfort, 26, Captain Lord George Paulett, will be in a sufficient state of forwardness to go out of the basin in a few days. She is obtaining volunteers very fast, and will, no doubt, soon have a very efficient ship's company. At present it is not known for what station she is fitting out. The Ringdove, 16, Commander Sir William Daniel, though only in commission a few days, has got the greater portion of her hands. Many of the Hastings ship's company volunteered into her when they were paid off. These have all got three weeks’ leave of absence. | ||
| Fr 11 February 1842 | PORTSMOUTH, Thursday Evening. DEPARTURE OF LORD ASHBURTON. His Excellency the Right Hon. Lord Ashburton embarked this afternoon on board the Warspite frigate at Spithead. He left the harbour between 2 and 3 o’clock, accompanied by Lord John Hay, in the admiral's tender, and was saluted by the forts with 19 guns as he passed. When he arrived on board the Warspite the yards were manned, and he was received with another salute of 19 guns. Shortly after the frigate was hove short, and at 4 o’clock got under weigh, with a light breeze from about S.S. W., which will just enable her to lay her course down Channel. It is calculated that she will be about 30 days in making her passage across the Atlantic, but this will entirely depend upon what winds she may have. Should they be from the eastward. which is not at all improbable at this season of the year, she is likely to make the voyage in 22 or 23 days, especially as she is a very fast sailer. 30 days may, however, be considered a fair average passage, as the New York packets have frequently been as long as six weeks in making it. The outward bound voyage invariably takes a much langer time to accomplish than the homeward one, which has often been performed in 15 or 16 days.The Revenge, 74, Captain the Hon. William Waldegrave, which arrived yesterday from the Mediterranean, got under weigh a short time before the Warspite, and proceeded to the eastward, where she is to be paid off. | ||
| Sa 12 February 1842 | The excellent manner in which the Revenge and the Warspite got under weigh yesterday afternoon excited the admiration of all who witnessed their departure. The Revenge let fall and sheeted home her courses, topsails, top-gallant sails, and royals at once, hoisting the three latter at the same time; and the Warspite displayed the same activity and smartness. Brother Jonathan will shortly have an opportunity of viewing this splendid frigate, though it is not likely he will form a different estimate of its prowess now it is a razee than that he entertained of it as a 74, for when the Warspite, previous to its been cut down, was on the South American station, the Potomac, United States frigate, was at anchor in the same port, the officers of which upon visiting the Warspite characteristically remarked, "We calculate our frigate would take this ship in 20 minutes;" to which the gallant veteran in command, entertaining a slight difference of opinion, laconically replied, "Yes, gentlemen, 20 minutes would be quite enough." | ||
| Sa 12 February 1842 | The total number of vessels that have already sailed, or are about to sail, to join the squadron in the Chinese seas is 15, being 1 line of battle-ship, the Implacable, 74, fitting for the flag of Sir T. Cochrane; 4 frigates, the Cambrian, 36, Captain H.D. Chads, C.B., the Thalia, 44, Captain C. Hope, the North Star, 28, Captain Sir J.E. Home, and the Vindictive, 50, Captain J. Toup Nicholas; 6 sloops of war, the Dido, 20, Captain the Hon. H. Keppel, the Hazard, 18, Commander C. Bell, the Syren, 16, Commander W. Smith, the Harlequin, 10, Commander G.F. Hastings, the Wolverine, 16, Commander J.W.S. Johnson, and the Serpent, 16, Commander W. Nevill; 3 troop ships, the Belleisle, Captain J. Kingcome, the Apollo, Commander C, Frederick, and the Sapphire, Master Commander G.H. Cole; and 1 hospital-ship, the Minden, Captain M. Quin. The ships of war carry altogether 334 guns. The majority of them have already sailed; the Implacable, Vindictive, Wolverine, and Minden (hospital-ship) being the only vessels not yet ready. The Wolverene and Minden will sail in a day or two, and the Vindictive in about three weeks; the Implacable will take some time longer, as she has only recently been put in commission. It is now understood that the Carysfort frigate, 26, Captain Lord G. Paulett, which has lately been commissioned at this port, is to proceed to China. This will make the number of vessels ordered to reinforce the squadron already there 16, and the total number of guns 360, exclusive of these on board the troopships, which are armed en flute. | ||
| Ma 14 February 1842 | PORTSMOUTH, Sunday. The Warspite, 50, Captain Lord John Hay, which sailed on Thursday afternoon with the Right Hon. Lord Ashburton and suite, has been compelled to put back, and anchor in the Yarmouth (Isle of Wight) roads. When she got under weigh she had a moderate breeze from the S.S.W., which shifted to the westward during the night, and increased to a gale, in consequence of which she bore up, and came to an anchor off Yarmouth yesterday morning. The wind is now again favourable for her, being from the south-east, with a moderate breeze, but the atmosphere is very foggy.There is no intelligence yet of the Formidable, 84, and Alfred, 50, which left Sheerness early in the week. It is supposed they have been detained in the Downs by the unfavourable weather. A number of volunteers are waiting to join them as soon as they arrive. As the wind is now from the south-east, in all probability they will be here this evening or to-morrow morning. The Belzebub, steam-vessel, now building in this yard, is to be called the Firebrand instead of the present steamer so called, which is hereafter to be designated the "Black Eagle," in compliment to His Majesty the King of Prussia. | ||
| Tu 15 February 1842 | The Warspite, 50, Captain Lord John Hay, C.B., with Lord Ashburton and suite on board, which was compelled to put back in consequence of the gale from the westward, and which anchored on Saturday morning in the Yarmouth-roads, is still windbound and unable to proceed on her voyage. For an hour or two yesterday morning the wind was favourable, and blowing moderately from the S.E., but suddenly it veered round to the westward, from which point these was a heavy gale throughout the day. | ||
| We 16 February 1842 | PORTSMOUTH, Feb. 15. Yesterday morning one of the dockyard lighters was despatched with an anchor and chain-cable to the Warspite, to replace those which she lost during the late heavy gale. She is still at anchor in the Yarmouth-roads, the wind being from the westward. | ||
| Fr 18 February 1842 | PORTSMOUTH, Feb. 15. The Warspite, 50, Captain Lord John Hay, with the Right Hon. Lord Ashburton and suite on board, sailed again yesterday.The Carysfort, 26, Captain Lord George Paulet, was hauled out of the basin yesterday afternoon. | ||
| Ma 30 January 1843 | By the last accounts from Bermuda, the Warspite, 50, Captain Lord John Hay, and the Pique, 36, Captain the Hon. Montagu Stopford, had not reached that island on the 3d instant. The Spartan, 26, Captain the Hon. C.G.J.B. Elliot, left Havannah for Jamaica on the 21st of December, where it is supposed orders await her to proceed forthwith to Bermuda or England. The following was the distribution of a portion of the West India fleet, according to the latest accounts:—The Fair Rosamond, Pickle, Avon, and Imaum, at Jamaica; the Volage, 26. Captain Sir W. Dickson, at Grenada; the Electra, 18, Commander A. Darley; and the Ringdove, 16, Commander Sir W. Daniell, at Honduras; the Scylla, 16, Commander Sharpe, on her passage from Jamaica to Honduras; the Pilot, 16, Commander W. Houston; the Crocodile, 26, Master-commander Thomas Elson; and the Griffin, 3, Lieutenant-commander Charles Jenkin, at Barbadoes. | ||
| Sa 11 February 1843 | It is now believed that the court-martial which it is understood is to be held on the Hon. Captain Elliott, of Her Majesty's ship Spartan, will take place at Jamaica, where, according to the last accounts the Spartan was lying waiting orders from Vice-Admiral Sir C. Adam. The Warspite, 50, Captain Lord John Hay, and the Pique, 36, Captain Hon. M. Stopford, had left Bermuda for Jamaica, and so had the Illustrious, 72, with the flag of the Vice-Admiral; but she intended to touch first at St. Thomas’s, and after to proceed to Jamaica. In the event of either the Volage, 26, Captain Sir W. Dickson, or the Talbot, 26, Captain Sir T. Thompson, being at Jamaica, there will be a sufficient number of post-captains to form a court, which will then consist of the following members:— Commodore the Hon. H.D. Byng, of the Imaum; Captains Lord John Hay, Warspite; the Hon. M. Stopford, Pique; John E. Erskine, Illustrious; and Sir W. Dickson, Volage; or Sir T. Thomson, Talbot. | ||
| Th 23 March 1843 | The Warspite, 50, Captain Lord John Hay, and the Pique, 36, Captain the Hon. Montague Stopford, are understood to be on their passage to England, as the court-martial upon Captain Elliot, of the Spartan, has terminated. | ||
| We 21 June 1843 | Plymouth, June 19.— Her Majesty’s frigate Warspite, Captain Lord John Hay, arrived this morning in Sound, 18 days from new York. The body of Sir C. Bagot, the late estimable Governor of Canada, is on board, and his bereaved lady and family have also come in the frigate. It was expected that instructions would have been waiting here to transship the remains to a Government steamer for conveyance either to London or Liverpool but it is now supposed that the Warspite will proceed forthwith to Portsmouth. | ||
| Ma 3 July 1843 | The Warspite, 50, Captain Lord John Hay, has been taken out of dock, and is being equipped again for sea. Report sends her to the coast of Spain. | ||
| Ma 10 July 1843 | PORTSMOUTH, July 7. The Warspite, 50, Captain Lord J. Hay, sailed this afternoon for Cork, where she will receive the flag of Rear-Admiral Bowles. | ||
| Fr 14 July 1843 | The Irish Naval Squadron.—The Cork papers of yesterday state that Her Majesty’s ship Warspite,50, Captain Lord. John Hay, C.B., commissioned to bear the flag of Rear-Admlral Bowles, C.B., at Cove, was detained at Spithead by contrary winds. She has on board a large supply of Dockyard stores, and biscuit for the squadron for the Irish station. Yesterday Her Majesty’s brig Dolphin, Lieutenant Hoare, arrived in Cove from Portsmouth. On her passage she ran ashore, but with the assistance of the Echo steamer was got off. It is said that she will remain in Cove harbour but a short time, her destination being South America. The latter end of this month the Inconstant, 36, Captain C.H. Freemantle, will be ready, and is expected to sail for the Cove of Cork, where she will remain but a few days, and sail for the Mediterranean. | ||
| We 9 August 1843 | The Warspite, 50, Captain Lord John Hay; Inconstant, 36, Captain Charles Freemantle; Castor, 36, Captain Charles Graham; Volage, 26, Captain Sir W. Dickson; Conway, 26, Captain R. Fair; and Orestes, 18, Commander the Hon. S.J. Carnegie are at Cork. The Warspite is the flag ship of Rear-Admiral W. Bowles. The Castor is waiting at Cork to receive Major-General d’Aguilar and his suite on board to convey them to Hong Kong, of which place the gallant General has been appointed Governor. | ||
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