Firm, 1856
Type: Gunboat ; Armament 4
Launched : 22 Mar 1856 ; Disposal date or year : 1872
Disposal Details : Sold Shanghai
BM: 232 tons
Propulsion: Screw
Machinery notes: 60 hp
Notes:

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

23 Apr 1856, Present at Fleet Review, Spithead ; Red Squadron ; Commander Gooch

11 Mar 1857 Lt B.G.W. Nicholas apptd.

12 Mar 1857 2nd Master Edward Griffith Lloyd Street apptd.

21 Mar 1857 the Hampshire Telegraph lists over 40 steam vessels along with 15 sailing vessels which have either departed Portsmouth or are preparing for service on the coast of China. Guns and ammunition for the gun boats was being transported separately from Woolwich Arsenal and Deptford to Hong Kong.

11 Apr 1857 in dock.

20 Apr 1857 inspected at Portsmouth by Capt. Maitland, on behalf of the CinC, prior to departure for the Coast of China.

22 Apr 1857 departed Portsmouth for Plymouth with the Furious, other gun boats having departed Tuesday with the Cormorant.

22 Apr 1857 arrived at Plymouth on Wednesday night, from Portsmouth, with the steamer Furious, 16, with the Firm entering harbour the following morning (23rd), but moved out into the Sound later in the day and by Thursday 16 Gun Boats were reported to be at anchor in the Sound.

4 May 1857 departed Plymouth Sound Monday afternoon with the Steam ships Furious, and Hesper, with 2 despatch boats and 11 gunboats.

16 May 1857 arrived Madeira with the Leaven, Furious, Cormorant, Drake, Surprise, Banterer, Woodcock, Dee, Algerine, Janus, Watchful, Kestrel, Slaney, and Clown.

19 May 1857 departed Madeira for Rio en route for the Coast of China with the squadron.

29 Aug 1857 the Trincomalee arrives Portsmouth from the Pacific having stopped off at Rio en route and came across 8 of the squadron of gun boats, with some still to arrive, but the Firm having broken "the gear of her screw," was towed into Rio by the Furious.(Unfortunately no dates were given with this news, but wonder if it happened circa June / early July ?)

28 Sep 1857 arrived Singapore with the Kestrel per Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette of 21 Nov 1857. A letter dated 30 Sep in the United Service Gazette announced the arrival at Singapore and that the Firm had played an important part in getting the screw steam troop ship Assistance off the ground in the Straits of Banca, and but for the Firm and her crew, might have been lost with all her stores.

28 Nov 1857 Hong Kong, Lt Nicholas.

28 Dec 1857 Capture of Canton (see also report in London Gazette www.gazettes-online.co.uk of 16 and 26 Feb 1858).

27 Feb 1858 Canton River.

5 May 1858 Gulf of Pechelee.

20 May 1858 Capture of the Forts at the Mouth of the Pel Ho (see also the London Gazette www.gazettes-online.co.uk of 28 Jul 1858 .

23 May 1858 Shanghai.

22 Jun 1858 Gulf of Pechelee.

10 Aug 1858 Shanghai.

29 Oct 1858 Hongkong.

30 Dec 1858 Canton River.

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

28 Sep 1859 Hongkong.

30 Dec 1859 Amoy.

16 Feb 1860 Foochow.

15 Mar 1860 Shanghai.

7 Jun 1860 on the North China coast.

8 Jul 1860 Shanghai.

26 Aug 1860 Gulf of Pechelee.

16 Nov 1860 on the North China coast.

31 Dec 1860 Hongkong.

2 Mar 1861 Canton River.

29 May 1861 Hongkong.

28 Jun 1861 Soratur.

12 Jul 1861 Swatow.

28 Jul 1861 Canton River.

1 Nov 1861 Swatow.

1 Dec 1861 Hongkong.

1 Apr 1862 Canton River.

11 Jun 1862 - 15 Dec 1862 Hongkong.

1870 China

Nov 1870 at Hangkow, up the Yangtse River.

2 Apr 1871, for census, alongside the Naval Yard Shanghai.