Barracouta, 1851
Type: Sloop ; Armament 6
Launched : 31 Mar 1851 ; Disposal date or year : 1881
BM: 1053 tons ; Displacement: 1680 tons
Propulsion: Paddle
Machinery notes: 881 hpi ; 300 hp
Notes:

8 Jul 1848 It is reported that orders have been given by the Admiralty for building three steam-vessels, designed by the Committee of Reference on Naval Architecture -viz., the Resolute, of 400-horse power; the Barracouta, 300-horse power; and the Brisk, 250-horse power ; the two first-mentioned paddle-wheel propellers, and the last propelled by the screw. The Resolute is to be built at Portsmouth, the Barracouta at Pembroke, and the Brisk at Woolwich.

20 Dec 1848 Pembroke, building

Circa 18 Aug 1854, a squadron under Sir James Stirling, consisting of the Winchester, Encounter, Styx, and Barracouta departed the mouth of the Yang ste Kiang for Japan.

7 Sep 1854, arrived Nagasaki.

4, 8, and 15 Oct 1854, visits by the Admiral and staff etc. to the Governor.

20 Oct 1854, departed Nagasaki.

25 Oct 1854, arrived Hongkong.

2-3 Nov 1854 ship and ships' boats engaged in the Macao River in operations against pirates - see p. 388 at www.archive.org/details/royalnavyhistory06clow ; see also book Voyage of the Barracouta.

13 Nov 1854 men from ships' boats carried a battery and destroyed junks in Coulan Bay - see p. 388 at www.archive.org/details/royalnavyhistory06clow ; see also book Voyage of the Barracouta.

14 Nov 1854, returned to Hongkong, and then departed to cruise amongst the Ladrone Islands for some days, but saw no more pirates.

End of Nov - 9 Feb 1855, protecting British interests in the Canton River.

15 Jan 1855, recovered a Hongkong lorcha from the rebel forces below Canton.

11 Feb 1855, returned to Hongkong, and a few days later went to the Pratas Shoal to rescue the crew, including the captain's wife, Mrs. Holmes, of the wrecked American ship Living Age, who had been surviving on a nearby island for 6 weeks.

12 Mar 1855, having coaled, refitted, provisioned and watered etc., departed Hongkong for Woosung, to rejoin the Encounter, where they arrived on the 19th inst., having experienced bad weather en route.

25 Mar 1855, departed for Kamschatka, sighting parts of Japan en route, and experiencing much colder weather, with sleet an snow, separating from the Encounter.

12 May 1855, met the French frigate Alceste, which was going to form a part of an allied squadron forming up in the area. The President was reported to be in the area with R.-Adm. Bruce on board, and the Dido was to the north searching for a privateer, and on the following day the Brisk hove in sight.

19 May 1855, rejoined the Encounter.

23 May 1855, met up with the Flag Officer in the President, and received newspapers ; took the Alceste in tow to a new rendezvous.

27 May 1855, the southern coast of Kamschatka became visible.

31 May 1855, rendezvoused with Pique, Dido, Brisk, Alceste, Encounter, Barracouta, and the American store ship Nile off Petropalovski.

1 Jun 1855, the squadron entered the harbour of Petropalovski, but discovered that despite appearing to have reinforced the fortifications the Russians had departed for the River Amur.

3 Jun 1855, armed boats from the Barracouta, Encounter and Pique were sent to Rakouina Harbour to detain the Russian whaler Aian, 400 tons, built at Abo in 1853, which was brought back to Petropalovski. An engine for a small steamer which had formed a part of her cargo, was taken as a prize.

4 Jun 1855, departed with the Admiral, captains, and French officers to Turinskoi for the day. Fishing parties took out the seine nets and were very successful.

7 Jun 1855, destroyed the batteries and magazines.

9 Jun 1855, entertained on board FNS Alceste, and upon returning on board watched the volcano of Koselskoi erupt, the sky over the mountain being tinged with red as night fell, the following morning the sea being covered with ashes, and a slight shock of an earthquake was experienced.

12 June 1855, the squadron put to sea, but having met with the Amphitrite, and FNS Eurydice, returned to Petropalovski.

14 Jun 1855, departed to the north with the Pique, reaching open sea on he 19th, but appears to have separated from the Pique at some stage.

24 Jun 1855, rejoined by the Pique.

27 Jun 1855, joined the Amphitrite, who was senior officer. On the coast of Siberia, and experiencing floating ice, and parts of the coast that were still ice-bound.

30 Jun 1855, off the river Amoor, where it was thought that some Russian vessels may have been hidden, and where the masters of the 3 ships carried out a survey to see how navigable the river was.

7 Jul 1855, departed for the port of Ayan in Siberia, and on the 8th experienced visibility of about 50 miles, and not long afterwards arrived at their destination.

15 Jul 1855, departed Ayan with the Pique, leaving the Amphitrite behind.

17 Jul 1855, experienced thick fog and parted from the Pique, however, she then appears to have found herself amongst 4 unidentified vessels, and there being reports of a Russian squadron in the region sounded hands to quarters etc., but by the time the vessel was ready for action it was discovered that the new squadron was British and made up of the Sybille, flying Commodore C. Elliott's pendant, the Spartan, and Hornet, with the FNS Constantine in company, who were reported to have already exchanged shots with the Russians in Castries Bay, in the Gulf of Tartary, but the shot fell short, and the Hornet getting on a rock briefly, and the navigation of the bay being uncharted the squadron withdrew. Changed course and joined the squadron.

23 Jul 1855, the squadron departed down the Gulf of Amoor and anchored about 5 miles from Obman's Bay.

25 Jul 1855, the Hornet and FNS Constantine departed for the Shantar Isles and Spartan went in chase of a strange sail. In the afternoon the Barracouta raised steam to chase a brig Ohkotsk, 6, and 250 tons, bound from Ayan to Amoor with stores, which was attempting to enter the River Amoor, but could not get within 3 miles of her due to shallowness of the water, and returned to the anchorage, as did the Spartan, the strange sail being that of a whaler bound for Ayan.

27 Jul 1855, 2 boats each from the Sybille, and Barracouta, with 1 from the Spartan, were towed by the Barracouta towards the brig, which was run ashore by the Russians and set on fire, who then attempted to escape in the ship's boats up the River Amoor, and following a long chase 2 of the boats and their crews were detained.

29 Jul 1855, sent prisoners on board the Sybille, and departed for Hakodadi, on the island of Yezo.

1 Aug 1855 detained the Russian brig Greta with 276 officers and men from the Russian frigate Diana, which was badly damaged during a series of earthquakes at Simoda, when the town was engulfed by a tsunami. The brig was taken in tow to Ayan, where the Sybille and Spartan were anchored.

4 Aug 1855, the prisoners having been dispersed between the Sybille, Spartan and Barracouta, a prize crew was put on board the Greta with instructions to take her to Hongkong.

13 Aug 1855, having been delayed by foggy weather departed the mouth of the River Amoor for Hakodadi in the evening.

18 Aug 1855, arrived Hakodadi, where the Pique and FNS Sybille were at anchor, preparing to depart to and take possession of the island of Ourope. Meanwhile the Barracouta was provisioned with fresh vegetables before departing for Nagasaki a few hours later.

28 Aug 1855, arrived Nagasaki, but still not permitted to go ashore, much to the surprise of the Russian prisoners on board.

10 Sep 1855, the Encounter arrived Nagasaki, from Jonas Island, Sea of Ohkotsk, with mail for the Barracouta up to 1 April. The Hornet arrived the following day and the Sybille on 20th inst from Ohkotsk, followed by the Pique from Hakodadi and the Isle of Ouroop, now in the possession of the allies.

28 Sep 1855, the Winchester, Nankin, Spartan, Styx, and FNS Virginie arrived Nagasaki from the coast of Tartary.

Sep 1855, Captain Stirling returned to England with the ratified Treaty with Japan, Captain T.D.A. Fortescue having joined the Barracouta.

29 Sep 1855, the Russian prisoners on board the Sybille, Barracouta and Spartan were put on board the Nankin, for passage to Hongkong.

1 Oct 1855, departed for Shanghai, arriving on 3rd inst., and having coaled, watered and provisioned etc. departed to join Commodore Elliott blockading the Gulf of Tartary : however, having suffered damage to funnels in a gale returned to Shanghai, arriving on the 21st inst. for the damage to be made good and, in view of the lateness of the season and there being no point in returning to the Gulf of Tartary due to the arrival of winter, the rigging was set up afresh, the decks caulked and the machinery made good.

13 Jan 1856, departed Shanghai on an anti-piracy cruise, but the weather being squally waited until the following day to cruise up around the Chusan group of islands, where, on the 16th, 2 pirate junks were observed attempting to escape, but seeing the their predicament ran their craft ashore, taking with them what booty they could carry, until the accuracy of the Barracouta's gunnery drove the pirates up into the surrounding hills where they were able to watch their junks and ill gotten gains being burnt.

17 Jan 1856, departed Chusan for Chinhai, in the mouth of the Ningpo River.

22 Jan 1856, departed Chinhai for Shanghai, and when near the Volcano Islands observed 2 junks taking possession of a trading junk, and chased the escaping pirates who landed on a nearby island, but were slaughtered by the residents. The pirate junks were searched for the cargo stolen only a short while ago, which was returned to the owners, and arrived back at Shanghai on the 24th inst.

31 Jan 1856, departed Shanghai for Hongkong, via Chinhai, and the River Min (7th), arriving HK on the 10th inst., where the weather was much warmer.

24 Jan 1856, a fire broke out ashore, in Hongkong, and despite the efforts of the men from the 59th Regiment and HM ships a large amount of property was destroyed and 4 lives lost.

12 Feb 1856, arrived back at Hongkong.

30 Mar 1856, Treaty of Paris, i.e. the supposed cessation of hostilities, although it would probably have taken 3 or more months for the allies to get the message by sea, although ISTR reading in The Times that even as late a April, the situation in the Crimea in April 1856 was that it was treated as a temporary cease fire rather than a permanent cessation of hostilities, which is what it turned out to be. Urgent messages sent by sea, through the Med., and overland from Alexandria could probably arrive some weeks before those sent by sea ?

2 Apr 1856, the waters in the region of the Gulf of Tartary probably being in the process of thawing the Flag Officer in the Winchester ordered the departure of the Squadron from the shelter of Victoria Peak, Hongkong, to sea with the Flag Ship in tow, and on passing the Great Llama Island cast off the Winchester, the destination still unknown.

6 Apr 1856, entered the River Min, and anchored off Pagoda Island, 25 miles from the mouth of the river and 9 miles below the city of Fuchan, where HMS Racehorse was already at anchor.

8 Apr 1856, departed the River Min for Shanghai, arriving on the 11th.

17 Apr 1856, departed Shanghai, having provisioned and coaled etc. Experienced a gale from 21-22nd, and on the 27th saw Cape Yatzouda, and circa 28th inst. arrived Hakodadi, where the Sybille and Pique were already at anchor.

4 May 1856, departed Hakodadi with the Sybille and Pique in tow, anchoring overnight, departed the following morning with them in tow, passing the city of Matsmae, spoke with the whaler who reported that the Straits of La Perouse were still frozen across 8 days previously. The Sybille and Pique now proceeded under sail.

11 May 1856, having sighted the coast of Tartary was sent of in search of a suitable harbour for the ships. Found that the ice persisted in many of the inlets, making it impossible for the boats to go ashore.

13 May 1856, found the Commodore in the Sybille and reported that a suitable bay had been found which was named Barracouta Bay.

16 May 1856, departed Barracouta Bay for Cape Mont�, and on the 18th was heading along the coast towards De Castries Bay, and entered the Bay the following day, and subsequently returned to Barracouta Bay.

25 May 1856, departed Barracouta Bay with the Sybille and Pique in tow : 28th inst. spoke with the French admiral in the FNS Virginie and the Constantine, before departing for Hakodadi.

31 May 1856, the Hornet arrived Hakodadi with mail from England. Stored and refitted the ship.

8 Jun 1856, departed Hakodadi for the coast of Tartary with the Sybille and Pique, arriving off the coast on the 11th and cruised the waters and coast in the region using Barracouta Bay as a base.

18 Jun 1856, heavy fog came down and the boats of the Sybille arrived at Barracouta Bay reporting that she had got on shore, but by the time the Barracouta arrived near the scene had got herself off, and merely needed to be assisted back to Barracouta Bay. Experienced a severe thunderstorm during the night.

19 Jun 1856, the Sybille reported having cases of smallpox on board and was put in quarantine.

19 Jun 1856, unofficial reports of an armistice appear to have leaked through to the Pacific coast of Russia, and both sides appear to be talking to each other occasionally under flags of truce.

2 Jul 1856, departed Barracouta Bay with the Sybille, Hornet and Pique : from the last week or so's notes the squadron seem to be less interested in the war and more concerned about enjoying the passage of time in a somewhat remote, but interesting part of the World, with walks, fishing and hunting trips ashore etc.

13 Jul 1856, the Sybille, Hornet, Pique and Barracouta arrived Hakodadi.

14 Jul 1856, received on board the Barracouta a part of the crew of the US Whaler Endeavour, who, when away from their ship, became separated, and had gone on to Japan hoping to find a means of getting home, and were to be taken to Hongkong by the next HM vessel.

21 Jul 1856, departed Hakodadi, for Barracouta Bay.

31 Jul 1856, the squadron departed Barracouta Bay for Port Seymour, on the coast of Tartary, the Barracouta with the Winchester in tow : the locals brought salmon alongside for sale to the squadron, and the ships' companies caught several varieties of fish using hook and line.

2 Aug 1856, a fine breeze sprang up allowing the Winchester to be cast off.

3 Aug 1856, a dense fog came down causing the squadron to anchor. However, once the fog lifted it was discovered that they were only 20 miles from their destination.

8 Aug 1856, departed Port Seymour for Victoria Bay, the Hamelin Straits, Port Dundas (11th).

12 Aug 1856, the admiral, Sir Michael Seymour, came on board whilst the Barracouta steamed to Port May, Port Bruce (15th), where the Pique was at anchor, having arrived 2 days previously from Castries Bay. Took the Winchester in tow, and steamed to Port Louis, in Napoleon Roads, where she was left at anchor whilst the Barracouta departed for Termination Island to survey a part of the coast.

21 Aug 1856, arrived Hornet Bay, and when the survey was complete returned to Victoria Bay.

22 Aug 1856, Mr. May, Master of the Winchester, surveyed where they were anchored, which was named after Mr. Freeman, the master of the Barracouta. On completion of the survey it was discovered that a Frenchman had come on board, seeking protection from the local Tartars, and a passage back to civilisation. In the afternoon departed for Port Louis, to rejoin the Admiral.

24 Aug 1856, the Winchester, Barracouta, and Pique, departed Port Louis, for Chousan, Corea [Korea].

30 Aug 1856, arrived Chousan.

1 Sep 1856, departed for Nagasaki, arriving on 3rd inst., with the Winchester in tow, and later went back to bring the Pique into the outer harbour. The Admiral then proceeded to demand access to the inner harbour, in accordance with Treaty, but the Japanese authorities, not appreciating that the Admiral wasn't to be pushed around, ignored the request, so the Admiral instructed the Barracouta to break through the line of junks positioned to prevent access to the inner harbour to HM Ships, and sank one of the junks in the process, but by the action confirmed to the Japanese that they couldn't ignore measures to which they had agreed by Treaty, and announced that HM Ships would have full access as agreed. Similarly attempts to continue the past practice of procrastination by the Governor, in order to avoid meeting the visiting British admiral to discuss breaches of the Treaty were thwarted by Admiral Seymour announcing that he would be calling on the Governor the following day.

17 Sep 1856, departed Nagasaki for Hong Kong.

Oct 1856 Hong Kong, departed for the Canton River, towing the Calcutta as far as the her draught permitted ; then towed ship's boats of the Winchester, Comus, and Bittern, as far as her draught allowed, when they were detached up the river to Canton, where, with other boats of the squadron, the various Chinese forts guarding the river were captured. Also, with the Coromandel, took possession of the Barrier Forts.

27 Oct 1856 would appear to have made her way further up-river since she fired on selected targets in Canton.

5 Nov 1856 attack, with ship's boats, on 25 mandarin junks and the capture of the French-folly Fort.

8 Nov 1856 narrowly avoided 4 fire junks.

12 Nov 1856 bombardment and capture of the Bogue Forts and the Anunghoy Forts on the following day.

15 Nov 1856 Calcutta's boat returned up river, with the Nankin's boat, under tow of the Barracouta, during which an accident occurred to the Nankin's boat, resulting in the loss of 2 lives, arms and heavy equipment.

8 Jan 1857 British forces commenced withdrawal from off Canton, to Hong Kong.

15 Jan 1857 Canton.

15 Feb 1857 Hongkong.

15 Mar 1857 Canton, after which she appears to leave the area.

21 Aug 1857, paid off ; being the date that the ship's logs and musters appear to terminate.

1 Oct 1856 - 26 Jun 1858 Parliamentary Grant of �33,000, for services (in lieu of Prize Money) on the China Station to be divided between 56 Vessels

1860 North America and West Indies

14 Oct 1860 detained off the Anguillas Kays, the Spanish slave brig Lola, which was sent for adjudication to the Mixed Commission Court at Havana and sentenced to be restored to her master.

15 Oct 1860 detained off the Anguillas Kays, the Spanish slave brig Castilla, which was sent for adjudication to the Mixed Commission Court at Havana and sentenced to be restored to her master.

6 May 1861 Sheerness. Commissioned for Service on the North America and West Indies Station.

1 Jan to 23 Nov 1864 North America and West Indies Station. Reports of fevers and heart disease onboard. Number of Cases of Disease and Injury.

23 Nov 1864 Paid off.

1870 Sheerness

21 Nov 1873 at Cape Coast Castle during the Ashanti War.

28 Apr 1873, salvage services rendered to the Italian barque "Vittorio."

17 Jan 1874 at Cape Coast Castle during the Ashanti War.

24 Jan 1874 off the Windward Coast during the Ashanti War.

1879 Chatham