Skipjack, 1855
Type: Gunboat ; Armament 4
Launched : 4 Aug 1855 ; Disposal date or year : 1879
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.

21 Jan 1856 Portsmouth Lieut. Hon. Chetwynd, departed this afternoon for Plymouth, to join the division of gunboats fitting there.

4 Feb 1856 Devonport. In Barnpool.

23 Apr 1856, Present at Fleet Review, Spithead ; Blue Squadron ; Commander Chetwynd.

12 Feb 1858 in the region of Cape Cruz, boarded the Spanish vessel Mariano, for whom it was necessary to fire blank(s) to bring the vessel to in order to interview the master in accordance with the captain's various instructions for suppressing the slave trade.

13 Feb 1858 chased an unknown brigantine until she was lost in the night in the region of Boca Grande, a notorious channel for running slaves : for reason for firing blank(s) see entry for 12 Feb 1858.

18 Feb - 12 Apr 1858 off Cuba employed in the suppression of the slave trade.

11 Mar 1858 examined 2 coasters thought to be loitering on the coast, but appeared innocent and purchased a small quantity of fresh produce.

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.

7 Apr 1858 found it necessary fire several guns to bring to an English brigantine under suspicious circumstances reported in a letter of proceedings of 17 Apr 1858 : for reason for firing blank(s) see entry for 12 Feb 1858.

4 May 1858 boarded the American barque Whistling Wind off the Doce Leguas Cays.

18 May 1858 boarded the Prussian ship Zangarted standing in towards the entrance to the Rosario Channel.

27 May 1858 -> off Cuba employed in the suppression of the slave trade, but final date not known.

1 Jun 1858 boarded the Bremen brigantine Rudolf off Cay Breton.

13 Jun 1858 boarded the American barque M.B. Stetson, from Boston in the lee of the Breton Reef once the official business was concluded exchanged newspapers.

21 Jun 1858 off Cape Cruz, boarded the Spanish coasting sloop Mabel Maria, carrying country produce : also boarded the Teresita with fish and rice etc.

20 Jul 1858 at Port Royal, Jamaica. 1860 North America and West Indies.

1870 Devonport.

1874 hulk.