Wasp, 1812
Type: Brig-sloop ; Armament 18
Launched : 1812 ; Disposal date or year : 1847
BM: 387 tons
Notes:

30 Jun 1811 arrived Falmouth from Lisbon with mail and dispatches.

1 Aug 1812 arrived Plymouth from Topsham.

27 Nov 1812 arrived Plymouth from St. Andero (23), with dispatches.

11 Jan 1813 remains Plymouth.

29 Mar 1813, Plymouth, is to proceed shortly to Halifax with despatches.

16 Jun 1813 the Wasp and Rover captured the Brig Christiana.

Circa Jun 1813 the Wasp and Rover captured the Schooner Lark.

Circa Jun 1813 captured the Brig Thomas, arrived Halifax 25 Jun.

18 Jun 1813 captured the Schooner Eunice, from St. Ubes to Boston, with salt, arrived Halifax 22 Jun. Wasp reported to be in chase of a schooner when last seen.

23 Aug 1813 Loup Cervier and Wasp arrived Halifax with a convoy from Quebec.

14 Sep 1813 the Wasp captured the Ship Santa Cecilia, 48 days from Cadiz to Boston, arrived Halifax 24 Sep.

19 Nov 1813, arrived Halifax, N.S., from Boston Bay.

Circa 8 Apr 1814, departed Halifax for Jamaica, with a convoy.

1 Jul 1814, arrived Halifax, from Jamaica, via Havana, with a convoy, and reports her captain and one man died from the fever after leaving Havana.

1 Jul 1814, has re-captured and sent in the schooner Wm. Tudor, from hence, for the W. Indies, previously captured by the US privateer schooner Snap Draggon.

Circa 9 Jul 1814 departed Halifax with a convoy for Quebec.

4 Aug 1814, arrived Halifax, N.S., from a cruise.

18 Aug 1814, arrived Halifax, the ship Gelen, from Havana, for Greenock, captured by the US privateer Invincible and retaken by the Wasp.

28 Aug 1814 recaptured the Landrail cutter / schooner, on her way to the United States, and sent her into Halifax, N.S.

2 Sep 1814 the Landrail arrived Halifax, having been re-captured by the Wasp off Cape Sable.

4 Sep 1814, arrived Halifax, the brig Charlotte, from Antigua, to Greenock, taken by the US privateer Mammoth, and retaken by the Canso, only to be captured again by the US privateer Grand Turk, and to be re-captured again by the Wasp, and sent in here.

11 Sep 1814, arrived Halifax, the brig Alexander, from the W Indies, to England, taken by a US privateer, and re-captured by the Wasp, and sent in here.

11 Oct 1814, arrived Halifax, the schooner Mary, of this place, for the W Indies, captured by the American privateer Portsmouth, and re-captured by the Wasp.

24 Nov 1814 arrived Halifax, with the Sharpshooter, from Shelburne, N.B.

7 Dec 1814 remains Halifax.

19 Jan 1815, fell in with a brig Sa??el, from Halifax to Demerara, with timber, had sprung a leak and became waterlogged. I man had already died, so the rest of the crew and passengers were removed and landed at Shelburne, N.B., on the 27th.

19 Feb 1815, arrived Halifax from Shelburne, N.B.

16 Mar 1815 arrived Halifax, from a cruise.

10 Jul 1815 arrived Portsmouth from the West Indies.

19 Sep 1815 arrived Portsmouth from Bremen.

31 Jan 1819, Portsmouth, making ready for sea.

8 May 1828 had arrived Valletta from England.

4 Jun 1828 has been to Tunis and is expected Valletta daily.

24 Jun 1828 Blockading the coast of the Morea.

16 Nov 1829 Had been despatched to Salonica.

6 Feb 1830 is at Egina.

6 Jan 1830 arrived Malta from Smyrna.

9 May 1830 expected at Malta from the Archipelago.

8 Jul 1830 spoke the Messenger packet off Algiers, prior to departing for Malta.

Aug 1830 at Smyrna.

Oct 1830 at Napoli di Romania, and from thence to Alexandria.

24 Nov 1830 departed Malta to join the Admiral.

2 Feb 1831 departed Malta for Genoa.

12 May 1831 arrived at Gibraltar from Malta.

13 May 1831 departed Gibraltar for Algiers as escort to refugee ship.

12 Jun 1831 arrived Portsmouth from Malta and Gibraltar, Commander Popham, in command.

20 Jun 1831 paid off at Portsmouth.

28 Aug 1832 taken into dock at Portsmouth, to be converted into a 16-gun sloop.

18 May 1833 in dock at Portsmouth for repairs.

6 Jul 1833 is to be brought forward for commission at Portsmouth : was undocked yesterday.

13 Jul 1833 to be fitted out at Portsmouth as a brig.

20 Jul 1833 commissioned at Portsmouth by Commander James Burney.

26 Aug 1833 taken out of the basin at Portsmouth.

7 Sep 1833 in harbour at Portsmouth.

11 Sep 1833 departed Portsmouth to Plymouth.

14 Sep 1833 departed Portsmouth for Plymouth.

18 Sep 1833 arrived Plymouth from Portsmouth.

1 Jan 1834 On the North America and West Indies Station.

16 Jan 1834 Spoke the Gannet off Barbadoes.

18 Jan 1834 arrived Barbadoes, Carlisle Bay from a cruise.

5 Feb 1834 has departed Barbadoes on a cruise.

22 May 1834 remains Barbadoes.

19 Aug 1834, Barbadoes, is reported to have taken troops to St. Kitt's and has now returned to take troops to Trinidad.

19 Dec 1834 reported to be at Barbadoes.

1 Jan 1835 is reported to have departed from Barbadoes to Trinidad.

12 Jan 1835 reported to have arrived at Jamaica from Martinique.

23 Aug 1835 departed Jamaica for Carthagena.

5 Mar 1836 was reported to have departed to Vera Cruz.

2 May 1836 at Bermuda.

17 May 1836 arrived Jamaica from Carthagena.

17 May 1836 has been furnished with instructions under the Treaty with Spain for the suppression of the Slave Trade by the Flag Officer, North America and West Indies Station.

15 Apr 1837 arrived Portsmouth from Jamaica (11 Feb), having been in collision with the Elizabeth in a gale on 4 Apr at lat 48.45 N. ; long 13.54 W. : the Elizabeth, of Newcastle, was en route from Falmouth to Miramichi. The Wasp suffered damage to her foremast and stays and the loss of her bowsprit. The master, Kelly, and 3 men from the Elizabeth got on board the Wasp during the collision. Having got before the wind to make repairs, the Wasp lost sight of the Elizabeth in the poor weather prevailing, so her condition is not known.

20 Jul 1839 at Gibraltar.

12 Oct 1839 at Gibraltar

12 Jan 1840 at Gibraltar

25 Apr 1840 Commander George Mansell appointed to the Wasp, vice Hon. W. D. A. Pelham.

1 Jun 1840 Gibraltar, departed to Malta, having been relieved by the Jaseur.

7 Aug 1840 arrived Mytelene, from Smyrns, and joined the Flag Officer's squadron.

16 Aug 1840 Alexandria, was off Cape Baba, looking out for the rest of the Turkish squadron, from Constantinople, of which a frigate and a corvette had already made their appearance.

30 Aug 1840 arrived Beyrout for operations off the coast of Syria - see p. 312-> at at www.archive.org/details/royalnavyhistory06clow

10 Sep 1840 covered the landing of troops at D'jounie Bay - see p. 314 at at www.archive.org/details/royalnavyhistory06clow

14 Sep 1840 Beyrout, The bombardment continued and the allied troops fortified their positions.

25 Sep 1840 departed with a squadron, under the Thunderer, to take possession of Sidon.

26 Sep 1840 operations at Sidon. Wounded. Mr. R. M'Guire, Mate, severely. See www.gazettes-online.co.uk of 17 Nov 1840.

18 Oct 1840 it is reported that a Mate, Mr. M'Guire was wounded during the attack on Sidon.

22 Oct 1840 at Beyrout, where sickness has spread amongst the squadron.

2 Nov 1840 Commander Hon. D. W. A. Pelham, late of Wasp, promoted to the rank of Captain.

2 Nov, 1840 arrived off St. Jean d�Acre.

3 Nov, 1840 bombardment of St. Jean d�Acre. Wounded. 5 seamen severely; 1 private marine. Egyptian forces evacuate St. Jean d�Acre overnight and the town was occupied on the 4th by the Turks. See www.gazettes-online.co.uk of 1 Dec 1840.

8 Nov 1840 off St Jean d�Acre, ordered to Malta to refit, having her foremast disabled. See www.gazettes-online.co.uk of 15 Dec 1840.

30 Nov 1840 arrived at Malta, from St. Jean d'Acre.

5 Dec 1840 Mate Rochfort Maguire (1835), of the Wasp, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, for services, specially recorded, on the coast of Syria.

12 Dec 1840 Commander George Mansel, of the Wasp, promoted to the rank of Captain.

Aug - Nov 1840 Capture of Acre and operations on the coast of Syria. Turkish Medals awarded to the Officers and Men employed during the Campaign. 16 Oct 1844 those onboard between 9 Sep - 10 Oct 1840, and at the bombardment of St. Jean D�Acre, on the 3 Nov 1840, will be paid their respective proportions of the grant voted by Parliament for the said services.

2 Jan 1841 Commander Hon. Anthony Murray, appointed to the Wasp ; Lieutenant W. R. O. Price, appointed to the Wasp;

15 Jan 1841 Malta, sails shortly to join the fleet at Marmorice.

21 Jan 1841 arrived at Marmorice Bay.

12 Mar 1841 Clerk Mr. Ozzard, from the Wasp, appointed to the Powerful.

12 Mar 1841 Clerk Mr. Eales, appointed to the Wasp, vice Ozzard.

10 Apr 1841 Master J. R. Aylen, from the Wasp, appointed to the Dido, vice Knight;

10 Apr 1841 Master Roberts, from Alecto, appointed to the Wasp, vice Aylen.

12 Jun 1841 Purser Mr. Thomas Woodward, from the Wasp, appointed to the Daphne.

1 Jul 1841 in the Roads at Antioch.

16 Jul 1841 at Beyrout.

4 Sep 1841 Lieut. W. P. Crozier appointed to command the Pantaloon. Mate William Mottley (1837) promoted to Lieut. Lieut. William Mottley, appointed to the Wasp, vice Crozier.

9 Sep 1841 at anchor off Beyrout.

6 Oct 1841 Beyrout, departed for Caiffa, and will return on or about the 22d.

25 Oct 1841 was reported from Malta to be at Caiffa.

4 Dec 1841 arrived Malta from Beyrout.

29 Dec 1841 in port at Malta.

6 Jan 1842 under orders to depart Malta for Corfu.

28 Jan 1842 the Snake, recently arrived from England, is supposed to be departing Malta for Corfu, to relieve the Wasp, which has been ordered to England.

8 Feb 1842 departed Corfu for Malta.

19 Feb 1842 arrived Malta, from Corfu.

24 Feb 1842 departed Malta for England.

25 Mar 1842 departed Gibraltar for England.

5 Apr 1842 arrived Lisbon from Gibraltar, departing the 6th for England.

30 Apr 1842 has been reported to have arrived off the south coast of England, from Gibraltar.

1 May 1842 arrived Spithead, from the Mediterranean, last from Lisbon (6th Feb), having been detained by adverse winds, and departed the same day for Sheerness.

4 May 1842 arrived Sheerness, and was inspected on the 5th.

12 May 1842 paid off at Sheerness.

26 Nov 1842 fitting at Sheerness for the West Indies.

4 Dec 1842 arrived Spithead from Sheerness, en route for the West Indies.

9 Dec 1842 departed Spithead for Bermuda.

16 Sep 1844 detained in Lat. 4� 25' N. Long. 5� 18' E., the Brazilian slave vessel Il Grande Poder de Dios, with 40 slaves on board, which was sent for adjudication to the British and Brazilian Court of Mixed Commission, Sierra Leone, and on 2 Nov 1844 sentenced to be condemned.

5 Oct 1844, joined the Penelope at Princes Island and completed her water. Commander Bagot went on board the Penelope, for passage to St. Helena, where he joined the Indiaman, Repulse, for passage to England, Lieut. Hockin taking command until Commander Ussher joined.

16 Nov 1844 detained off Lagos the Brazilian slave vessel Diligencia, with 179 slaves on board, which was sent for adjudication to the British and Brazilian Court of Mixed Commission, Sierra Leone, and on 24 Dec 1844 sentenced to be condemned.

8 Jan 1845 detained off Lagos the Brazilian slave vessel Esperanca, 81 tons, Antonio da Cunha Bitencourt, Master, formerly the slaver St. Antonio, previously condemned in 1842, was sent for adjudication to the Mixed British and Brazilian Court at Sierra Leone and condemned again on 21 Feb 1845.

19 Jan 1845 detained off Lagos the slave vessel San Domingo, 58 tons (foreign), equipped for the slave trade. The vessel was run on shore by her crew, and totally destroyed, having previously landed a cargo of slaves in the chase ; was officially condemned by the Vice-Admiralty Court, at Sierra Leone on 3 May 1845. 6 May 1847 the proceeds arising due for payment.

27 Feb - 2 Mar 1845 detained in lat. 6� 0' N. long 4� 30' E., by the Prize schooner Felicidad, the Brazilian slave brigantine Echo, Francisco Ferreira don Santos, master, with 431 slaves on board, which was sent for adjudication to the British and Brazilian Court of Mixed Commission, Sierra Leone, and on 21 Apr 1845 sentenced to be condemned.
see also p. 364 at www.archive.org/details/royalnavyhistory06clow - below and for the Cygnet.

1 Jun 1845 detained in Lat. 5� 42' N Long. 3� 2' E., off Lagos, the Brazilian slave brig Izabel, 144 tons, Benito Denizans, Master, condemned on 24 Jun 1845 by the Mixed British and Brazilian Court at Sierra Leone.

15 Jan 1846 detained the Brazilian slave vessel Lobo, 126 tons, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena, and sentenced to be condemned.

17 Feb 1846 the Wasp, with the Star in company, detained in lat. 6� 08' S., long. 12� 05' E., the Brazilian slave brigantine Paquete de Rio, Boaventura a Consalvez Roque, master, 46 tons, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena and on 9 Apr 1846 sentenced to be condemned.

5 Apr 1846 detained in lat. 7� 18' S. long. 2� 10' E., the Brazilian slave schooner Gaio, Gaspar da Silva Rodrigues, master, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena, and on 14 May 1848 sentenced to be condemned. 25 Nov 1848 Prize money arising due for payment.

20 Apr 1846 detained in lat. 7� 15' S., long. 12� 25' E., the Brazilian slave brig Galgo, Joaquim Antonio Pereira, master, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena, and on 28 May 1846 sentenced to be condemned. 25 Nov 1848 Prize money arising due for payment.

1846 Coast of Africa.

20 Mar 1846-47 paid to the officers and crew �39 11s. 2d., expenses of adjudication of the schooner San Domingo, at Sierra Leone.

4 August 1847-48 officers and crew paid �52 13s. 2d. in respect of expenses for the prosecution of the brigantine Pacquete de Rio, at St. Helena.

20 October 1847-48 officers and crew paid �19 17s. 9d. in respect of expenses for attending the capture of the Gaio, at St. Helena.

31 March 1847-48 officers and crew paid �17 17s. 6d. in respect of further expenses in the case of the Brazilian schooner Gaio, at St. Helena.

25 April 1846 The Cases of the Felicidade and the Echo.- Regina V. Serva and Others.- This case was argued by learned counsel of the common law bar before the judges at Westminster, on the 13th of November ultimo, but the learned judges having expressed a desire to hear a further argument upon the points in question by learned civilians, they met on Wednesday, in Serjeant's-inn-hall, for that purpose. Sir J. Dodson, Queen's Advocate, and Dr. Phillimore, appeared for the Crown; Dr. Adams for the prisoners Joaquim, Ribeiro, Martinos, and Francisco; and Dr. Harding for the other prisoners, Serva, Majaval, and Alves.

The facts of the case may be thus stated :-The [HMS] Wasp cruising on the African coast for the suppression of the slave trade, and having the necessary printed instructions on board for that purpose, captured the Felicidade, a Brazillian schooner, bound from the Brazils to Africa, for the purpose of bringing back a cargo of slaves, and being in fact fitted up for their reception. The capture was effected by two boats of the Wasp, under command of the Lieutenant, upon whose appearance the captain of the Felicidade immediately surrendered, and was conveyed, with all his crew, except four, on board the Wasp. On the following day these men also were removed, and the prize manned by sixteen British seamen, under the command of the Lieutenant and a midshipman, who had orders to sail in chase of another vessel which had then hove in sight. In pursuance of these instructions, the Felicidade, being manned and commanded as a British vessel, and having the British colours hoisted, pursued, and finally captured the Echo, with a cargo of 434 slaves, the captain surrendered, and being sent, together with twelve of his crew, on board the Felicidade. The Echo was boarded and taken possession of at first by the midshipman and eight seamen ; but the former subsequently returned to the Felicidade, which was placed under his command, with nine seaman, the Lieutenant taking charge of the Echo. Within an hour after this arrangement was effected. the Echo's captain and crew on board the Felicidade rose upon the midshipman, and the prize crew under his command, with a view to gain possession of the vessel, and murdered both midshipman and crew. For this offence they were tried and convicted at Exeter, the learned judge who presided having told the jury that the Felicidade was, at the time the murder was committed, in the lawful custody of her Majesty's officers, and all on board of her within the Admiralty jurisdiction.-

Dr. Adams opened the argument, and contended, in the first instance, that the prisoners had been guilty of no act of piracy. But supposing the prisoners had been guilty of the offence of piracy, the seizure of the Felicidade, he maintained, had not been made in accordance with the provisions of the act of Parliament. conforming to the instructions issued to the Royal Navy, under the treaties which existed between this country and the Brazils He submitted to their lordships that these parties had been wrongfully captured and detained, and the step they took to recover their liberty was justified by the law of nations, and by no means prohibited by the treaty between this country and the Brazils. Dr. Harding followed on the same side. He contended that the prisoners had been guilty of no offence against the law of nations, not even supposing they had actually been engaged in the slave-trade, because slave-trading was not piracy, nor was it contrary to the law of nation.

He next submitted to their lordships that they had been guilty of no offence under or by reason of the treaties existing between England and the Brazils. They were not within the criminal jurisdiction of the British empire ; and even admitting that they had committed an offence against the law of nations, it was of much less importance than the crime of murder.

Sir J. Dodson then replied on the part of the Crown. He said it was contended on the other side that because the Felicidade had not slaves on board at the time she arrived off the coast of Africa, she was, not liable to be deemed and dealt with as a pirate; but he maintained that these parties were pirates, and Lieutenant Stupart was quite justified in deeming them such, and directing their capture accordingly.

If, upon examination, the vessel was found to be a slaver, and to have had slaves on board, she was liable to condemnation ; and if it were only on this ground alone, he should contend; that Lieutenant Stupart was justified in capturing the Felicidade for the purpose of examination. After some further arguments from Sir J. Dodson, Dr. Addams replied. Dr. Harding also replied, and the Court adjourned shortly after five o'clock. No judgment is expected to be publicly given ; but the opinion of their lordships will be communicated in the proper quarter. If it be that the conviction is bad, the Home Secretary will be advised to recommend a free pardon; if the contrary, the law will be allowed to take its course when the respite expires.