Grecian, 1838
Type: Brig-sloop ; Armament 16
Launched : 24 Apr 1838 ; Disposal date or year : 1865
BM: 484 tons
Notes:

7 Apr 1839 off Frio, captured the Brazilian slave brigantine Ganges, with 419 slaves on board and was looking for the slaver Commodore, which was expected on the Brazil coast, with 700 Africans on board.

10 Apr 1839 stopped the American vessel Susan, of Boston, Thompson master, near Cape Frio, the boarding officer appearing to have upset Captain Thompson, who has complained to Mr. Stevenson, the US State Department. The response would appear to be that one of the passengers, apparently with Slave Trading interests, used abusive language to the boarding officer, and with the other passengers made it difficult for the boarding officer to see the Captain, in other words the language used by the passenger(s) appears to have produced the problems about which Mr. Stevenson complains.

11 Apr 1839 stopped the Danish vessel Charlotte by firing muskets, which appears to have caused a minor diplomatic incident as the Captain of the Grecian, Lieutenant Smyth, was not authorised to visit and inspect a Danish vessel in accordance with the Treaty between the two countries. A small sum of damages would also appear to be due to the Charlotte for the damage caused. It subsequently transpires that the Charlotte had a short time previously appeared to have been in communication with a known slaver and hence the reason for wanting to stop her, despite the stipulation in the Treaty regarding Commanding Officers requiring the appropriate papers.

11 Apr 1839 detained the slave brig Leal, with 319 slaves on board, which was sent for adjudication to the British and Brazilian Mixed Court of Commission, Rio de Janeiro, and on 17 Jun 1839 sentenced to be condemned.

30 Apr 1839 detained the Brazilian slave brigantine Ganges, with 386 slaves on board, which was sent for adjudication to the British and Brazilian Mixed Court of Commission, Rio de Janeiro, and on 31 May 1839 sentenced to be condemned.

29 May 1839 detained the slave vessel Maria Carlota. Maria Carlota was condemned by the British and Brazilian Court of Mixed Commission at Rio de Janeiro, but an embargo had been placed on the condemnation by the Brazilian authorities as a mortgage is held on the vessel by one Joa� Pereira de Andrade. However, it was considered that no one can hold a title to the proceeds of a vessel condemned for being involved in the Slave Trade, and the embargo should therefore be contested accordingly. According to the on-line Slave Database Barca Maria Carlota, ID No 46762, embarked 515 slaves at Mozambique and wasn't detained until 26 Mar 1840, whereas other sources (British) state that the Portugal / Brazil flagged vessel Maria Carlota, was originally detained on 29 May 1839. However it would appear that prize money was originally paid for detaining the vessel since below there is mention of an over payment of salvage monies due for aid given to the Lancashire Witch, being deducted from the prize money due to be paid for the Maria Carlota.

17 Oct 1839 detained the Brazilian brig Dom Joao de Castro, late Senador Vergueiro, master, Vicenti de Freitas Serpa, which was sent for adjudication by the British and Brazilian Court of Mixed Commission and circa 24 Mar 1840 was not condemned, it being ordered by the Court that the vessel should be restored to her master, it being admitted she had been detained within three or four hundred yards of the coast of Brazil, there could be no doubt that the capture was illegal, and that the captor was liable to compensate the owners for the losses occasioned by his unauthorized act. NB this paragraph has been amended since it was originally uploaded, prize money having been paid it being wrongly stated that the vessel had been condemned.
Some correspondence that correspondence relating to the affair sent by the Court to the Government at London : (Inclosure 2.)�Mr. Hesketh to Mr. Ouseley. Sir, Rio de Janeiro, March 23, 1840. I am led to make the following observations on the proceedings in the case of the brig Dom Joao de Castro, believing that they served to protect the owners of that vessel from the penalties of the law against Slave Trade, and wishing to show to what extent, even in a tribunal like the Mixed Commission Court, slave-dealers are leniently treated. The Portuguese brig Dom Joao de Castro, detained by Her Majesty's sloop Grecian, was libelled before the British and Brazilian Mixed Commission on the 24th October, 1839, for landing a cargo of slaves on the coast of Brazil, in this neighbourhood, the vessel being, in reality, the Brazilian brig Senador Vergueiro, belonging to Rio de Janeiro. The empty and confused state of the vessel's hold, the vestiges of slaves having been recently on board, and the remnants of a slave-equipment clearly perceptible in the vessel, added to the log-book and chart found on board, all proved the illegal nature of the voyage; and the deception attempted by the fraudulent assumption of the Portuguese flag was undeniably proved by the result of British and trustworthy surveys, showing that the vessel answered exactly the description of the Senador Vergueiro in the official registers of this Custom House; and even the chronometer found on board, as well as the principal part of the crew, proved the identity of the Dom Joao de Castro with the Senador Vergueiro, and established the guilt of the owners, all concerned in the vessel, by showing the falsehood of the documents and the perjury of the witnesses, although the obstacles experienced in obtaining official proofs of such transactions were great, and obliged me to apply for your assistance, as shown by the inclosed copy of my letter.
This evidence was before the Court by the 15th November, the period first fixed for proceeding to a decision on the case. However, subsequently the Court was disposed to concede to the accused further delays, and the decision was deferred till the 21st November, to give opportunity to me for a joint survey of the vessel by British officers, and artificers from the Brazilian dockyard; the result was a full exposure of the bad faith of the Brazilian report, which was diametrically opposite to that of the British officers; and as both reports were before the Court, it had that additional proof of the deceptions practised on it to favour the guilty. I could add much more on this but would suggest that if you want to know more on this case and the problems related with condemning a slave ship in the British and Brazilian Court of Mixed Commission have a look in Google Books using the names of the detaining vessel and the slave vessel. For the record it should be noted that the British got cheesed of the these problems and changed the legislation in order the the Vice-Admiralty Courts at St. Helena and Sierra Leone, &c., could be involved in the process in the future, almost totally cutting out the Mixed Courts from the legal process, along with the local politics that this involved.

10 Dec 1839 at Buenos Ayres.

Jan 1840 in the Rio de la Plata with the Stag, Calliope, Curacoa, and Actaeon, due to the presence of a French force, along with other factors, which has left the coast of Brazil with very few British anti-slavery vessels.

21-27 Feb 1840, salvage monies earned for services to the English barque Lancashire Witch. Salvage monies subsequently being overpaid, another party also subsequently proving their entitlement to a share, were deducted from prize money due for the Maria Carlota.

2 Sep 1840 detained whilst on a voyage from Rio de Janeiro to Campos the slave vessel Alexandre, which was sent for adjudication to the British and Brazilian Mixed Court of Commission, Rio de Janeiro and on 10 Feb 1840 ordered to be restored to her Master, �186 9s. 0d. being awarded by the Crown to or on behalf of captors, in satisfaction of expenses etc., arising from the seizure of vessels alleged to be engaged in the Slave Trade. This case was still bouncing around that Foreign Office and the Admiralty nearly a year later, with her commanding officer still maintaining that the vessel should have been condemned ; but this sort of thing happened so often in the Mixed Courts at Rio, and in many cases appear to be little more than a farce, with the Brazilian members of the Court rarely if ever condemning a vessel, and thus we invariably end up with a drawn case and lots have to be drawn to see who has the casting vote, in the knowledge that if a Brazilian wins the lottery, that the vessel will invariably be restored to her master and costs will be raised accordingly against the captor. There are exceptions, but there seem to be too many that followed the rule, and hence many vessels were sent to Vice Admiralty Courts for settlement.

25 Sep 1840 arrived Rio Janeiro from a cruise.

1840 the United Services magazine of 1845, Part III, reports that the "notorious" slave vessel Recuperador was detained, circa 1839-40 ?, presumably for being fitted out for the slave trade, but was released and then taken again on the coast of Africa with slaves on board. When brought before the Mixed Court the vessel was acquitted and Lord Palmerston subsequently reprimanded the British Commissioner for signing the sentence of acquittal. A report by a diplomat working in Brazil dated 24 Sep 1840 reports the arrival of the Recuperador, and the fact that she had landed her "cargo" of Africans, having evaded the Grecian and Wizard, who were on the look-out off the coast of Brazil for the returning vessel.

14 Nov 1840 at Buenos Ayres.

Circa 13 Jan 1841 in the Rio Plata.

Jan 1841 cruising on the coast of Brazil, looking out for slavers.

12 Feb 1841 detained in about lat 23 10 S ; and lon 43 W., Brazilian schooner Saudade, Joao Pereira Mendes, master, and Jose Viera Pimento possibly the owner.
12 Feb 1841 whilst cruising off the Maried Isles, a schooner was observed standing out to sea and in consequence of some previous information, the Grecian stood in to overhaul the schooner, upon approaching and hailing the vessel, answered that they were bound to Lisbon, but Capt Smyth then told the master to hoist his colours and heave to, whereupon he hoisted Portuguese colours, but did not heave to until after several muskets were fired from the Grecian. Lieut Thomas Woodgate went on board the brig and discovered she was called the Saudade, Joao Pereira Mendes, master, with a crew of 20 men and boys, and armed with 2 long guns, and supposedly bound for Lisbon, via the Azores. Due to not receiving satisfactory answers from the master on his being asked for the name of the owners, and suspecting that the vessel was involved in the slave trade, Lt Woodgate sent a message to that effect to Capt Smyth, who came on board with a party of men, with a view to examining the vessel, and the deponents Lt Woodgate and Thomas Torr, Seaman, confirmed that they had found the materials to make the slave deck and carlings to fit to the hatches to prevent water running below decks. They also found some slave irons and 60 leaguers, all except 3 full of fresh water, being far more than would be used by the crew of your average merchant vessel ; in addition there were far more mess tubs or kids than required, except in a slave ship. They also found bricks in quantities that would be needed to build a large cooker for the slave trade, and amongst the bricks were some rounds and case for the guns on deck and along with much else ; and if you looked closely enough she was either fitted out for the slave trade, or carried the necessary materials to turn the vessel into a slave ship quite quickly, and the vessel was seized as liable to forfeiture by virtue of the recent Act of Parliament introduced for the suppression of the slave trade, with the deponent and a crew of 9 put in charge to take the vessel to the Cape of Good Hope. Initially they experienced very bad weather, and were for several days on the larboard tack, and on the return of fine weather the deponent James Clark, Captain of the Forecastle, was occupied over the ship's side having discovered that the planking under the fore channels had started and upon examination thereof they found in the space between lining of the vessel 28 iron bolts with a pair of shackles matched to each, and from the position in which they were found the deponents firmly believed that double the number found must have fallen overboard before discovery ; the vessel arriving at Table Bay on 14 Mar 1841. This and more can be found at about page 206 in FO 84-437 Admiralty Letters 1842 Jan., available at the National Archives for free download.
16 May 44 the proceeds arising from the Tonnage Bounty and disposal of the Hull and Stores, due for payment.

25 Feb 1841 detained after departing Rio de Janeiro, en route for Benguello, the Hamburghese barque Louise, Captain Charles Henry Boyes, master, of Hamburgh, on suspicion of being involved in the Slave Trade and sent her to Plymouth, England, where she arrived on 9 May 1841. The case was sent to Hamburgh on 6 Sep 1841 where the Louise was set free, but no compensation was due to be paid by the captor since the vessel was carrying prohibited goods when detained, the captain being unaware that he was breaking the law. Dec 1846, expenses incurred following the arrest of this vessel deducted from the prize money paid to the Sandade now refundable, and due to be paid shortly.

13 Mar 1841 was at Barbadoes.

30 Mar 1841 departed Rio de Janeiro on a cruise.

23 May 1841 departed Rio de Janeiro on a cruise.

29 May 1841 the Clio was joined at Campos by the Grecian, and later, in the evening, by the Partridge.

30 May 1841 the matter being concluded the Grecian returned to Rio de Janeiro.

1 Jun 1841 detained the slave vessel Constante, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at the Cape of Good Hope and sentenced to be condemned.

1 Jun 1841 detained the slave vessel Castro, which was sent for adjudication to the British and Brazilian Mixed Court of Commission, Rio de Janeiro, and sentenced to be restored to her Master. 16 May 1844 the proceeds arising due for payment.

5 Jun 1841 arrived Rio Janeiro with 2 prizes: a bark fitted out for the coast of Africa, and a brigantine to supply the bark with stores. This probably refers to the 2 vessels detained on 1 Jun.

23 Jun 1841 cruising off Buenos Ayres.

8 Aug 1841 arrived Rio de Janeiro.

7 Sep 1841 at the Cape of Good Hope,

19 Sep 1841 departed the Cape of Good Hope, for the Mozambique Channel.

22 Oct 1841, Mr. N. B. Pearce, Master, aged 33, died when off the coast of Mozambique.

23 Mar 1842 departed the Cape of Good Hope en route for the Coast of West Africa.

24 Apr 1842 detained the slave vessel Jenaviva, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena, and sentenced to be condemned. 16 May 1844 the proceeds arising due for payment.

28 Apr 1842 detained the slave vessel Minerva, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena, and sentenced to be condemned. 16 May 1844 the proceeds arising due for payment.

6 May 1842 arrived St Helena from the West Coast of Africa.

7 May 1842 the Grecian was reported by the survey vessel Sulphur to have been at St. Helena, the commanding officers being good friends.

29 May 1842 the Grecian, in company with the Acorn detained a slave brig, Name unknown, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at Sierra Leone and sentenced to be condemned. 27 Mar 1844 the proceeds arising due for payment.

10 Jun 1842 arrived at St. Helena from the Coast of West Africa.

7 July 1842 the Grecian, in company with the Brisk and Acorn detained the slave vessel Oito de Decembre. 28 Mar 1844 proceeds arising due for payment.

28 Jul 1842 at St Helena.

14 Oct 1842 detained the slave sumaca Amizade Feliz, 144 tons, which was destroyed by the captor, and details sent to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena for adjudication, where, on 16 Jan 1843 she was officially condemned. 15 Aug 1844 proceeds arising due for payment.

18 Oct 1842 detained the slave vessel Princeza Dona Francisca, alias Maria Carolina, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena, and on 27 Feb 1843 sentenced to be condemned. 15 Aug 1844 proceeds arising due for payment.

23 Nov 1842 the Grecian when in company with the Bittern detained the slave vessel Sumariva, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena, and on 5 Jan 1843 sentenced to be condemned. 15 Aug 1844 the proceeds arising due for payment.

23 Nov 1842 the Grecian when in company with the Bittern detained the slave vessel Flor de Verao, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena, and on 5 Jan 1843 sentenced to be condemned.

19 Aug 1845, anchored in Rio harbour with the Crescent, Seagull, Penguin, and Spy ; survey vessels Herald and Pandora ; US vessels Raritan, and Bainbridge ; and Brazilian frigate Isabella, when the survey vessels Herald and Pandora arrived.

9 Apr 1846 at Bahia.

4 May 1846 at Pernambuco.

1847 defeated an attempt to retake a prize slaver at Bahia - see p. 366 at www.archive.org/details/royalnavyhistory06clow

22 Apr 1848 Captured slaver Bella Miguellino.

20 Dec 1848 SE Coast of America

3 Apr 1850 Slave and tonnage bounties and balance of proceeds of hull &c., of Bella Miguellino, now payable.

10 Aug 1851 To be commissioned at Devonport with a complement of 130 officers and men.

30 Aug 1851 Devonport

Jun 1852 news received that the American brig Camargo arrived off Quillimane, bound for Mozambique. Her subsequent movements are uncertain, but it is reported that she departed the Maindo River in November with 500-600 slaves on board.

Oct 1852 boarded the Portuguese brig Sublima, bound from Lisbon to Mozambique. Whilst nothing was found which would suggest that the vessel was involved in the slave trade, and thus detaining her, it was suspected that she may well be involved.

22-23 Oct 1852 communicated with the Penguin at Quillimane.

The ship's boats have examined the rivers between Lat. 16� 40' and 18� 37' S. to become acquainted with the passages and to ascertain the facilities that they afford the slave trader.

31 Dec 1852 at sea in Lat. 14� 11' S. Long. 45� 43' E.

30 Jun 1853 Simon's Bay,

4 Apr 1854 operation against local imperial troops in conjunction with the Encounter and U.S. corvette Plymouth - see p. 386-8 at www.archive.org/details/royalnavyhistory06clow ;
see also the London Gazette : https://www.thegazette.co.uk/Edinburgh/issue/6396/page/510
Casualties : Jno. Badge, A.B., severely ; Henry Wilcox, Quartermaster, severely ; Henry Nichol, Marine, severely, (arm amputated.) ; Geo. Bailey, Captain Foretop, severely.

1860 Devonport.