Espiegle, 1844
Type: Brig - Sloop ; Armament 12
Launched : 20 Apr 1844 ; Disposal date or year : 1861
BM: 443 tons
Notes:

Jul 1845 (circa) Straits of Banca, 4 months from England, one of which was spent at Kerguelen's Island searching for shipwrecked crews, but unable to land due to bad weather.

Apr 1847 the Espiegle and Pluto, steamer, with troops, attacked (3 Apr), captured (5 Apr) and destroyed (26 Apr) the Bogue Forts - see p. 351 at at www.archive.org/details/royalnavyhistory06clow

20 Dec 1848 East Indies.

9 Jul 1853 sent by the senior officer at Port Royal to Grey Town, following a report by the vice-consul. It is then intended that she should cruise off the coast of Cuba on anti-slavery duties.

Circa Oct 1853 is reported by H.M. Commissary judge at Havana and by the Flag Officer at Halifax to be cruising off the south coast of Cuba.

27 Jun 1854 detained a vessel without papers or colours on the coast of Cuba, in Lat. 23� 3' N., long. 83� 8' W., the slave vessel Grey Eagle. Initially the vessel was claimed by the Spanish authorities, and was given up to them, however, subsequently, the Captain-General of Cuba awarded the vessel as a prize to the Espiegle and was subsequently condemned after due process.

8 Nov 1854 departed Havana for Jamaica with correspondence from the British Commissary Judge at Havana (responsible for slave trading), to Commodore Henderson, reporting the alleged movement of slave ships fitted out in U.S. ports, landing slaves from West Africa on the coast of Cuba, and probably flying the Spanish flag when it suits them.

7 Dec 1854 arrived at Havana from the Isla Mugeres, near Yucatan, it having been erroneously reported that slave ships may be lurking there awaiting an opportunity to take their cargoes to Cuba when the opportunity arose.

1860 Sheerness.