Merlin, 1838
Type: Packet ; Armament 4
Launched : 18 Sep 1838 ; Disposal date or year : 1863
BM: 889 tons ; Displacement: � tons
Propulsion: Paddle
Machinery notes: 312
Notes:

7 Jan 1841 In collision with the steamer Earl of Bridgewater, whilst still in the river, shortly after leaving Dublin.

18 Sep 1841 Second Master F. W. Paul (of the Merlin), promoted to Master.

18 Sep 1841 Second Master Mr. Stokes, appointed to the Merlin.

1 Aug 1842 Steam Packet at Liverpool.

12 Aug 1842 at Woolwich being fitted out for service.

20 Dec 1848 Steam packet in the Mediterranean.

30 Aug 1851 Mediterranean

1854 Survey vessel.

27 May 1855 Merlin and Magicienne detained the Russian schooner galliot Nikolay Rusanova. 22 Oct 1856 proceeds arising due for payment.

27 May 1855 Merlin and Magicienne detained the Russian brigantine Helena. 22 Oct 1856 proceeds arising due for payment.

27 May 1855 Merlin and Magicienne detained the Russian schooner Alexander. 22 Oct 1856 proceeds arising due for payment.

28 May 1855 Merlin and Magicienne detained the Russian schooner Ahti. 22 Oct 1856 proceeds arising due for payment.

29 May 1855 detained the Russian Schooner No. 12044.

1855 Bombardment of Sveaborg

1856 Gun vessel.

23 Apr 1856, Present at Fleet Review, Spithead ; Commander Sullivan, CB

28 June 1856 departed England for anti-slavery duties on the West Coast of Africa.

19 Nov 1857 to be watered and provisioned, pending a passage up the Rivers Nunez and Pongas.

23 Nov 1857 sent by the Commodore up the Rivers Nunez and Pongas to check out the state of the slave trade in the region, and to ensure that the native chiefs were adhering to the treaties they had signed. No trace was found of any slave trading by the natives, and it was thought that if trading was taking place then it was probably being carried out by Mulatto settlers, and the Kings of the Pongas would probably be powerless to prevent it. It was observed that by sending the Merlin up these rivers so soon after the end of the rains that Commanders Hickley and Buckley had serious fevers as had a large proportion of the officers and men, 4 case having proved fatal already, and it was recommended by the Flag Officer that non-urgent passages of this nature should be conducted in January and February.

31 Mar 1858 returned to England from the West Coast of Africa.

1860 Devonport, re-rated as a 6