Brune / Bruné, 1856
Type: Gunboat ; Armament 2
Completed : 30 Aug 1856 ; Disposal date or year : 1863
BM: 267 tons ; Displacement: 291 tons
Propulsion: Paddle
Machinery notes: 80 hp
Notes:

All gunboats from 1 Jan 1856, are to be commissioned as independent commands with a crew of 36 men and officers.

10 Jun 1857 departed England for anti-slavery duties on the West Coast of Africa.

16 Jul 1857 arrived Sierra Leone.

16 Sep 1857 boarded the American schooner Hanover off Monrovia.

9 Oct 1857 Brune, as tender, in company with the Vesuvius, detained in lat. 6° 35' S. Long. 12° 13' E., a slave brigantine, Name Unknown, supposed Bramen, Wm. Andrew Spence, master, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at Sierra Leone and on 10 Nov 1857 sentenced to be forfeited.

15 Nov 1857 sent by the Commodore to Lagos, and to remain under the Senior Officer in the Bights until the arrival of Commodore Wise, in the meantime to survey and buoy the channel across the bar at Lagos, with a view to sending the Brune into that place.

7 Dec 1857 taken over the Bar into the River Lagos and anchored opposite the Consulate, but destined for service in the Bight of Benin, only having a draught of 5 feet.

28th March, 1858 Bights Division, on the West Coast of Africa: following a visit by the Flag Officer he stated that there is no doubt that the vigilance of our cruisers alone has prevented the shipment of large numbers of slaves from the lagoons communicating with Whydah. The increase of the squadron has been most advantageous, and the cruizers, under Commander Aplin's judicious guidance, have been so far, I hope, completely successful. The squadron at present consists of the Hecla, Trident (to be relieved by Ardent,) Triton, Sharpshooter, Pluto, and Brune. l have stated that there is no doubt that the Slave Trade in the neighbourhood of Whydah is checked only by our cruizers; in proof of this I may mention that all the reports from British residents show that the demand for slaves in the interior markets has much increased, that the slave-hunts from Abomey and from Abbeokuta have been revived, and that three undoubted slavers, with two suspected vessels, are at this moment on the coast. These are, the Marshall, and the Hanover, both under American colours ; and the Don Juan, Spanish brig lately purchased, it is said, by slave-dealers, off Appi, watched by the Trident. There is also reason to suspect the American barque Firefly, boarded by the Pluto on the 10th of March last, and a Portuguese schooner. I have written to the American Commander-in-chief pressing him to station an American ship of war in the Bights.

30 - 31 Mar 1858 the British Consul B. Campbell boarded with a view to visited Badagry and Porto Novo, but having taken the ground it was found it necessary to survey the proposed route, and the Consul boarded again on 9 Apr to continue his tour, disembarking on the 19th.

Dec 1858 Mr. Kellow, 2nd Master, has been sounding the bar for a channel into Lagos, but heavy rollers have caused the survey to be suspended for the present.

28 Jan 1859 the Kroomen of the Brune assisted those of the Rainbow, fighting a suspected arson attack at Lagos by supporters Kosoko.

20 Feb 1859 anchored off Eggura market.

21 Feb 1859 weighed and anchored between Egginee and Eppi.

2 Mar 1859 had returned to Lagos, where the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Lodder, wrote to his superior a report of proceedings regarding his recent visit with Mr. Consul Campbell, with the Niger Expedition steamer Rainbow in company, to the town of Eppi, regarding the intentions of Kosoko, who is reported to be planning an attack on Lagos, and confirmed the need to keep the Brune at Lagos for the present.

18 Jul 1859 whilst attempting to cross the bar having been taking soundings when the surf was running high the ship's boat capsized and Lieutenant Hope, in command ; Second Master E. J. Kellow ; Gunner's Mate James Mack and 10 Kroomen were drowned : the boat was found 70 miles along the coast 4 days later with one of the Kroomen still clinging to it, and being without food or water.

Oct 1859 still employed in Lagos Lagoon, and manned by Kroomen, although it is reported that she is shortly to be removed to sea and manned by a European crew, no doubt with some Kroomen, as was traditional during the 19th Century, and was similarly so in the Merchant Service until the middle of the 20th Century.

1860 West Coast of Africa - Tender to Arrogant.