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Forward, 1855
Type: Gunboat ; Armament 4
Launched : 8 Dec 1855 ;
Disposal date or year : 1869
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.
27 Jan 1856 Lieutenant C Nelson, apptd from the Imperieuse, in command.
23 Apr 1856, Present at Fleet Review, Spithead ; Blue Squadron ; Commander Nelson
12 Feb - 16 May 1858 off Cuba employed in the suppression of the slave trade.
16 Mar 1858 arrived at Matanzas and was coaled by the Styx and then instructed to cruise off Cardenas and Cay Piedras.
7 Apr 1858 the Commodore has instructed that the Styx, Basilisk, and the gun boats Jaseur, Jasper, Skipjack and Forward are to be kept actively employed in cruizing round Cuba for the suppression of the slave trade.
8 Apr 1858 arrived Havana from a cruise.
10 Apr 1858 departed Havana for a cruise.
12 Apr 1858 arrived Havana from a cruise and departed again for same 3 hours later having reported an accident to the Swedish brig Sydpolen.
16 Apr 1858 detained in Lat. 23� 45' N. Long. 82� 15' W., on the North coast of Cuba, following a chase of 1� hours, the slave schooner, Name Unknown, supposed Cortes, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at Jamaica and on 14 May 1858 sentenced to be condemned.
26 May 1858 at Port Royal, Jamaica, commanding officer sends report regarding the detention of the Cortes to the Commodore.
4 June - 16 Jul 1858 off Cuba employed in the suppression of the slave trade.
10 Aug 1858 at Port Royal, completing a return for the Admiralty of the 38 foreign vessels boarded under the command of Lieutenant Davies, whilst cruising for the suppression of the slave trade from 12 Feb - 16 Jul 1858, detailing the name of the vessel ; the flag under which she is operating ; the name of boarding officer ; whether it was necessary to fire at the vessel concerned to either raise her national flag, or heave-to to allow boarding ; reason for firing ; nature of the conversation held on board ; remarks.
12 Aug 1858 Lieutenant Davies writes a further letter to Commodore Kellett of the Anti-slavery squadron at Jamaica, regarding the detention of the Cortes, enclosing witnesses statements from members of the ship's company : including both officers and ratings :
Second Master J. H. W. Rowlett ;
Assistant Engineer, 1st Class J. Churcher ;
Quartermaster Alexander Atkinson ;
Quartermaster Daniel Wakeham ;
Quartermaster Thomas Pinkney.
27 Aug 1859 The crews of the gunboats Grappler and Forward were paid advance of wages at Plymouth on Wednesday. Their guns have been removed to the Sidon preparatory to sailing for Vancouver's Island.
30 Aug 1859 Plymouth the gunboats Forward and Grappler left on Sunday, in tow of the Sidon, for Vancouver's Island, calling at Rio Janeiro.
27 April 1860 Valparaiso the Termagant, Grappler and Forward departed for Vancouver, via Callao.
28 Aug 1860 London is reported to have arrived at Vancouver.
1860 Pacific
1869 sold at Victoria BC and registered with the ON 61308.
San Francisco Apr 1870 sold foreign.
June 1870 captured in the Gulf of California by the USS Mohican and burnt having been used illegally on the coast of Mexico by a number of unknown persons of various nationalities and carrying the flag of San Salvador - per History of the USMC, p. 187. Thanks to Marhsters for details of sale and fate.