Mutine, 1844
Type: Brig ; Armament 12
Launched : 20 Apr 1844 ; Disposal date or year : 21 Dec 1848
Disposal Details : Wrecked in the Adriatic ; Com. John Jervis Palmer
BM: 428 tons
Propulsion: Sail
Notes:

26 Sep 1844, arrived at Spithead, with the Espiegle and Cruizer, from Sheerness, to join the Experimental Squadron, with a view to testing their sailing qualities. To anyone that is interested in the results you should probably find information in the on-line edition of The Times

10 Jan 1845, in the Sound preparing for service on the Cape of Good Hope and South America station.

15 Jan 1845, departed Plymouth Sound for Madeira, with the Osprey, Waterwitch and Pantaloon, to continue their sailing trials, before they part and go their various ways after leaving Madeira.

31 Jan 1845, departed Madeira in company with the Osprey, for the Cape of Good Hope.

2 Apr 1845, at the Cape of Good Hope.

26 Apr 1845, captured the Brazilian slave barque Princeza, off Quillimane, on the east coast of Africa, but was released on the 9th August, there being no court at Sierra Leone competent to take cognizance of the case, the relevant Treaties having been allowed to lapse and the new Treaties yet to be ratified. 30 Oct 1846: �36 11s. 3d. paid by the Crown to or on behalf of captors, in satisfaction of expenses etc., arising from the seizure of a vessel alleged to be engaged in the Slave Trade.

2 May 1845, detained a slave dhow, Name Unknown, which case was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at the Cape of Good Hope, and on 25 Jun 1845 sentenced to be condemned. 24 Jun 1847 the proceeds arising due for payment.

Circa 18 May 1845, the ship's boats chased an Arabian Pangia, with 390 slaves on board, which were eventually landed and abandoned by their captors, and were subsequently taken to the capital of Mozambique and emancipated by the Portuguese authorities.

14 Jun 1845, arrived at Simon's Town, from Mozambique.

17 Jun 1845, having gone aground on the bar while chasing the Princeza, has become a little leaky, and has been hove down to inspect the damage, and temporary repairs were made.

23 Jul 1845, the Princeza arrived at St Helena, with a prize crew, and departed the following day for St. Helena for adjudication.

2 Aug 1845, departed Simon's Town for a tour of duty in the Mozambique Channel.

13 Aug 1845, The Times carried a report from the Mutine on the chase of the Princeza.

25 Aug 1845, cruising off Quillimane, in company with the Cleopatra.

15 Oct 1845, in lat. 17� 20' S. long. 37� 58' E., going up a small river in the vicinity of Point William, in the ship's pinnace and jolly-boat, met with a local chief and through an interpreter discussed the problems being experienced by the natives with Arab slaved traders and went ashore with a landing party and were shown a large dhow on shore, which had been deserted and appeared to have no papers. Being convinced she was being used in the slave trade she was measured at about 84 tons and, then, not having the manpower to put her back in the water, set the vessel on fire, with her associated hut, and burned them to the ground. The chief being much pleased with the result advised that another dhow could be found about some 40 miles distant. With guides provided the party departed for some 9 hours and eventually came across another dhow, but somewhat larger, at about 151 tons, which had also been pulled ashore and was well screened. As in the previous case the Arabs appeared to have deserted the vessel, but whilst in the process of examining the vessel and associated hut, a fire of musketry was received from the bushes. However, despite the continued fire, the vessel, which showed the usual signs of having recently been occupied by slaves, along with the hut being used to store provisions, such as 200 bags of dohll, etc., were destroyed by fire, without any casualties being suffered. The cases were sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at the Cape of Good Hope, where, on 20 Jan 1846, they were condemned.

10 Nov 1845 following a long and difficult chase, of about 4 hours, during which time it was necessary to maintain a constant fire on the Brazilian slave barque Diana, en route from the Brazils to Pomba, Manuel Francisco da Costa, master, 287 tons, of Rio de Janeiro, was detained in lat. 13� 10' S. long. 41� 45' E. Being fitted out for the slave trade she was sent to the Vice-Admiralty Court, at the Cape of Good Hope, for adjudication ; arrived at the Cape on 26 Dec, under a prize crew (Lt Mends), and was condemned on 14 Jan 1846.

At some time between 1 Oct and 15 Nov 1845 in lat. 18� 15' S. long. 41� 40' E. boarded the Dutch ship rigged vessel Prins Hendrich, Ide Fieifer, Master, of Amsterdam, with a general cargo, following a long chase, during which time the vessel altered her course repeatedly, and the subsequent account she gave of herself was "exceedingly unsatisfactory."

18 Nov 1845 whilst anchored in Pomba Bay a slave dhow, Name Unknown, was discovered in a nearby creek, and was later dragged up into the mangrove bushes by her crew, who subsequently destroyed her, whilst the Mutine waited for a spring tide to float the vessel off and detain her. The case was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at the Cape of Good Hope, and on 13 May 1846 sentenced to be condemned.

25 Nov 1845 in Pomba Bay, on the East Coast of Africa, discovered a small slave vessel hidden in a creed in the bay, with associated slave barracoons in the vicinity, containing several hundred slaves. The situation was discussed with the Portuguese authorities, the Captain of the HMFM Villa Flor, who sent in 28 in the ship's boats to bring out the slave vessel, however, since she was aground, this was not possible, but she was completely destroyed by fire, despite the fact that they were exposed to the concentrated fire of some 400 Arabs, which killed one seaman and wounded a marine.
On the following morning Captain Pedro Valente da Costa L. Pinho, in command of the Villa Flor, now being fully aware of the force against which they were pitted, accepted the Mutine's earlier offer of assistance, and a force of some 40 men from the Mutine, with those from the Villa Flor, prepared to attack the town and the Barracoons, the fire-power of the 2 vessels, both having moved up to 2 cable lengths off the town, soon drove the Arabs from their positions, enabling the destruction of the town and barracoons by men from the ships' boats.

5 Jan 1846 burnt in lat. 16� S. long. 45� E., in Boyanna Bay, a slave dhow, Name Unknown, her crew having made their escape ashore, it not being possible to get her off the beach ; the case being sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at the Cape of Good Hope where on 13 May 1846 the dhow was sentenced to be condemned. 19 Jul 1848 Tonnage Bounty due for payment.

21 Jan 1846 detained by the ship's boats, following a 2 hour chase, in lat. 11� 20' S. long. 40� 28' E., the slave pangaio Pomba, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at the Cape of Good Hope, and on 9 Apr 1846 sentenced to be condemned.

26 Jan 1846 off Ibo.

21 Jan 1846 Captured Arab Boat, Name Unknown. 30 Nov 1848 Tonnage Bounty, and proceeds from sale of Ivory and Dollars, due for payment.

6 Feb 1846 sighted off Pomba Bay, and subsequently detained after a long chase in lat. 13� 30' S. long. 41� 25' E., the Brazilian slave ship Amelia, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at the Cape of Good Hope, and on 13 May 1846 sentenced to be condemned.

24 Mar 1846, arrived at the Cape of Good Hope, from Mozambique.

30 May 1846, departed the Cape of Good Hope for England.

17 Jun 1846, was at St Helena.

23 Jun 1846, at Ascension.

28 Jul 1846, arrived Spithead from the Cape of Good Hope after a long and tedious passage, bringing news from the Cape.

29 Jul 1846, departed for Sheerness to have damage to her hull made good.

1 Aug 1846, arrived Sheerness.

2 Aug 1846, discharged her powder at the Little Nore, on Sunday, and was towed up to Chatham on Monday, where she is to be docked.

7 Aug 1846, Chatham, has got her masts out.

4 Sep 1846, has been taken into dock and her repairs are progressing.

8 Sep 1846, taken out of dock and is now moored alongside the sheer hulk to be masted and fitted for sea.

18 Sep 1846, she has now been painted and her repairs are nearing completion.

13 Nov 1846, has taken her guns on board, which only leaves her to embark her powder, but contrary winds and the lack of a steamer mean that she remains in harbour alongside the Tartar, and will hopefully be towed away tomorrow.

16 Nov 1846, arrived Sheerness, from Chatham, and having been inspected the following day, Tuesday, departed for Spithead, to be paid advance of wages, before departing for the Mediterranean.

25 Nov 1846, arrived that evening at Spithead, and paid her marks of respect the following morning.

28 Nov 1846, towed into harbour to have her compasses adjusted. [Unusual, I thought one usually went out of harbour to swing compasses ?]

Circa 6 Dec 1846, went out to Spithead, and took in her ammunition.

4 Jan 1847, departed Spithead for the Chops of the Channel, to provide victuals and water to merchant vessels held up by the easterly winds which have been blowing a long time in that direction, and is preventing merchant sailing vessels from proceeding up the Channel to their destinations.

17 Jan 1847, arrived Spithead, from Plymouth.

19 Jan 1847, Mr Gill, Second Lieutenant of the Mutine, court martialled for drunkenness and dismissed the Service.

24 Jan 1847, at Spithead, awaiting orders.

9 Jan 1846-47 paid �30 5s. 6d. expenses of adjudication of a slaver dhow, Name Unknown, at the Cape of Good Hope.

30 Jan 1847, has landed seamen and dispatches embarked for the South America station and taken on board boys for the Mediterranean Fleet, before departing Spithead with dispatches for the Flag Officer at Lisbon.

10 Feb 1847, arrived at Lisbon.

28 Feb 1847, at Gibraltar.

4 Mar 1847, departed Gibraltar for Malta.

23 Mar 1947, arrived Malta, from Gibraltar.

13 Jul 1847, at Corfu.

14 Sep 1847, remains at Corfu.

3 Oct 1847, the Locust departed Malta with provisions for the Mutine at Corfu.

13 Nov 1847, Mutine returned to Valetta. 11 Dec 1847, Malta, the Mutine has departed for Smyrna, to replace the Fantome, which has gone to Corfu.

28 January 1847-48 paid �18 18s. 0d. in respect of expenses incurred beyond the proceeds in the case of the dhow, Name Unknown, at the Cape of Good Hope.

28 January 1847-48 paid �18 18s. 0d. in respect of expenses incurred beyond the proceeds in the case of another vessel, Name Unknown, at the Cape of Good Hope.

4 Jan 1848, at Piraeus.

4 Feb 1848, at Smyrna.

11 Apr 1848, at Beyrout.

16 Apr 1848, an incident took place at Beyrout involving a Midshipman from the Mutine, a Turkish Bath and subsequent correspondence between the local authorities and the British Consul ;-)

11 Jul 1848, remains at Beyrout.

18 Sep 1848, at Piraeus, with the Volcano.

25 Sep 1848, arrived Trieste from Corfu.

30 Nov 1848, prize money due as a result of the arrest of the Arab boat mentioned above, containing ivory and dollars seized 21 Jan 1846.

22 Nov-2 Dec 1848 reported to be on a cruise.

21 Dec 1848 My copy of the Navy List for 20 Dec 1848 has a hand written note to the effect that she capsized at " IP 275 " ? whilst on detachment.
A letter from HMS Ardent dated 24 Dec 1848, at Trieste :
"We are here on a sad occasion, just arrived from Venice, where we are stationed, with the surviving crew of the brig Mutine, which was lost on the 21st off Venice. Only 5 lives were list, four officers and one marine ; it is a perfect miracle that so many were saved considering the dreadfully severe weather we have had. A great many are frost bitten, but it is hoped all will recover."

The Loss of the Mutine
The following is an extract from a letter, containing a more detailed account of the loss of the Mutine. The letter is dated :
Venice, Dec. 24, 1818.
Fearful that exaggerated reports may reach home, I write by the earliest opportunity to inform you of the wreck of the of the Mutine, which took place on the 21st at Palestrina, about 10 miles from Venice, in one of the heaviest gales of wind (commonly called "Boras" in this part of the world) I ever saw. Fortunately every one has been saved, with the exception of four officers and one marine, viz. Edward Whiting (acting mate), drowned in a most ,gallant attempt to get on shore in the dingy with a line ; H. E. Charlton (acting mate), dead from exhaustion and intense cold ; James Burke (assistant-surgeon) whose death was caused in a similar manner; James Dowse (carpenter, who fell out of the bowline-knot as they were hauling him on shore, and was drowned ; and Edward James (private, Royal Marines), found frozen to death under the forecastle. How so many were so many were saved appears to be almost miraculous after being exposed nearly 30 hours to the most dreadful weather ; the cold being so intense that the seas froze on everything as they came on board. Many are suffering severely from their hands and feet being frostbitten. It is impossible to speak too highly of the kindness and hospitality evinced by the inhabitants and authorities of Palestrina, who seized officers and men as they were landed, and carried them up into the houses, actually giving up their own beds. and supplying them with warm drinks; and, in fact, doing everything their dearest friends could have done for them. The ship is now lying within 20 yards of the shore (having beaten over three quarters of a mile of shoal water with her masts and rudder gone, and back broken. It is expected we shall save the greater part of the things on board, though there is no hope for the ship.
The people on board were landed by means of a hawser run out to the shore, with a bowline-knot and hauling-line.

Following the loss of the Mutine the officers and men were very well looked after ashore by the local inhabitants, and were then taken on board the Ardent and were reported to have been taken to Naples, and from thence to Malta to await passage to England, possibly by a packet or another RN vessel, as the Ardent doesn't appear to have come down to Malta from Naples, and is soon reported to be back at Trieste.

11 Feb 1849, the Vanguard and Rodney departed Malta circa 18 Jan 1849, and following their arrival at Gibraltar the crews of the Mutine and Locust, the latter paid off at Malta, were transferred from the Vanguard to the Rodney for passage to Devonport, where the crew of the Mutine were to be court martialled.

26 Feb 1849, Plymouth, a court martial took place on board the Caledonia to inquire into the loss of the Mutine. Officers and men were acquitted with Lieutenant Curtis being praised for the action he took, per London Standard of 28 Feb 1849.

6 Mar 1849, the Ardent arrived at Malta, from Trieste and Corfu. Following the loss of the Mutine the Ardent has been employed getting up her stores, anchors, chains etc. It is reported that the wreck has been sold for �620, and her copper for �1,500. It is stated that Venice operated an embargo on the importation of wood, and hence the vessel was broken up.