Ringdove, 1833
Type: Brig-sloop ; Armament 16
Launched : 18 Jun 1833 ;
Disposal date or year : 1850
B.M. 429 tons
Notes:

Jun 1833 is reported to have been fitted with Earle's fire-engine pump, which was trialled on board the Druid.

31 Aug 1833 commissioned at Sheerness.

2 Jan 1834 In Hamoaze, fitting out.

14 Apr 1834 In the Tagus.

8 Jun 1834 departed Lisbon for Madeira.

21 Oct 1834 at Bermuda crew down with cholera.

14 Aug 1835 news reports from the coast of Spain state that the Castor was at Santanda and that the Ringdove was at Bilboa, where she had been fired into by the Carlists.

28 Sep 1835, at Portugalette.

14 Nov 1835 is reported to be on the north coast of Spain or at Lisbon.

19 Dec 1835 reported to be on the North coast of Spain.

28 Nov 1836 the Comet is reported to have been used as a tug to tow small vessels up the River Nervion to form a bridge, built by men from the Ringdove, across the river for the troops, during which the boatswain's mate was wounded. In addition, guns from the Saracen were taken ashore to provide covering fire for the bridge. It has to be said that the movement was abandoned for no apparent reason, and the boats and guns returned to their original positions. Morale appears to be low ! See p. 276 at at www.archive.org/details/royalnavyhistory06clow

19 Feb 1837 reported to be at Santander.

3 Apr 1837 is expected Plymouth shortly from the North Coast of Spain.

25-27 Jul 1837 extracts from the Ringdove's log when she experienced a hurricane

27 Sep - 1 Oct 1837 extracts from the Ringdove's log when she experienced a second hurricane.

14 Oct 1837 detained in at lat. 23� 23' N. long. 80� 57' W., the Spanish slave schooner Vencedora, carrying 26 Africans and took the vessel to Havana for Adjudication by the Mixed Court which on 11 Nov 1837 sentenced the vessel to be restored to her master. From the fact that some of the slaves carried on board are dying little is being done to speed up the legal process, despite the fact that the Captain of the Ringdove, appears at regular intervals, to be attempting to expedite the matter. Assuming, when the vessel was first detained, that the slaves had been embarked at Porto Rico, per the vessel's documentation, following further investigations it transpires that the slaves, were originally embarked in the River Congo, and taken to Cadiz, where 49 passengers joined the ship, before she departed for Porto Rico, with the slaves being kept below decks in the forepeak.
A month or two later : the Spanish authorities ashore seem happy to prevaricate and do nothing which might draw the matter to a conclusion, and it is reported that some of the young slaves on board the Vencedora are dying, and that the authorities ashore are making no effort to assist with the disposal of the bodies, which are being taken out to sea.

25 Nov 1837 departed Havana for a cruise.

15 Dec 1837 detained at 19� 50' N., 75� 47' W., the Spanish slave schooner Vigilante, 1 gun, sailing under Spanish colours, and bound from Porto Rico to St. Jago de Cuba with 21 Negro slaves, 18 being concealed below deck, but supposedly covered by passports issued at Porto Rico, but of doubtful legality as it was concluded that the slaves had probably been recently brought into Porto Rico from the African Coast. However, in view of the state of the craft, which was in an unseaworthy condition, and having no evidence to confirm the suspicions regarding the origin of the slaves, the vessel was released on the understanding that the situation regarding the slaves be referred to the Mixed Court at Havana for Adjudication. Nothing further was heard regarding this case and the British member of the Mixed Court concluded that it wasn't practical to pursue the matter any further, the Ringdove having departed for Jamaica, and the crew of the Vigilante and the slaves probably have dispersed by now (31 Jan 1838).

20 Dec 1837 Spanish schooner Vencedora (see above) has now been released by the Spanish authorities and claims are being made for compensation for the detention of the vessel and items which are alleged to be missing ; London's assistance in the matter has been sought.

1838-39, part of a squadron looking after British interests on the coast of Mexico. See p. 305 at at www.archive.org/details/royalnavyhistory06clow

29 Jun 1839 at St. John's, New Brunswick.

9 Aug 1839 was at St. John's, New Brunswick.

23 Nov 1839 Bermuda, departed yesterday for Jamaica.

23 Jan 1840 detained in lat 21� 47' N ; lon 85� W., off Cape Antonio, Island of Cuba, the Portuguese slave schooner Victoria, 92 tons, Manoel Silva, master, Pedro Carvalho, owner, crew 19, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at Jamaica, arriving on 7 Feb 1840, appeared Capt Hon. K. Stewart, and Lieut John Andrew Tarleton and was sentenced on 28 Feb 1840 to be condemned for being engaged in the Slave Trade, and 277 slaves emancipated, 30 having died on the passage. 22 Nov 1842, notice given, that the account sales of the final proceeds arising from the sale of the hull and materials of the Victoria, will be registered in the High Court of Admiralty, on or after the 2d of December next. J. Woodhead, Agent.

19 Sep 1840 arrived Prince Edward's Island.

30 Oct 1840 departed from Halifax for Bermuda.

16 Dec 1840 having been cruising off Porto Rico arrived at St. Thomas's on the 26th 16 Dec 1840 resumed her cruise and on passing St. Croix, a schooner hove in sight, to which she gave chase and was brought to, and taken into St. Croix, where she was found to be the Jesus Maria, 110 tons, master Lorenzo Ruiz, owner Vincente Morales, of about 50 tons burthen, with 226 slaves on board, all under 12 years of age, 27 days from the river Sebo, on the West Coast of Africa. She then left as a prize, under the command of Lieutenant Tarleton, for Havannah for adjudication by the Mixed the British and Spanish Court at the Havana, and was sentenced to be condemned, and the 246 surviving slaves were emancipated, 32 having died on the passage.

15 Feb 1841 at Barbadoes.

1 Apr 1841 left Barbadoes, for a cruise.

24 Apr 1841 departed Barbadoes on a cruise.

1 Jun 1841 departed Halifax for Prince Edward's Island.

1 Jun 1841 left Halifax for Prince Edward's Island.

7 Aug 1841 was at Prince Edward's Island.

25 Sep 1841 arrived at Spithead, from the West Indies.

27 Sep 1841 came into Portsmouth harbour to be paid off.

4 Oct 1841 was paid off and taken into dock on Wednesday.

1 Jan 1842 is in the basin and is reported to be ready for commissioning.

29 Jan 1842 commissioned by Sir William Daniel.

26 Mar 1842 has recently been fitted with Rodgers' stream and kedge anchors.

26 Mar 1842 is expected to go out to Spithead on the 28th, and for the men to be paid their usual advances prior to sailing.

1 Apr 1842 went out of harbour to Spithead and paid her ship's company.

4 Apr 1842 departed Spithead for the West Indies with dispatches.

5 Apr 1842 an inquest was held on the body of seaman James Dove of the Ringdove who is stated to have slipped overboard from the hulk alongside the Ringdove, banging his head against the side of the ship, in his fall into the water, but never recovered consciousness.

7 May 1842 arrived Bermuda from Portsmouth.

24 Jun 1842 at Bermuda awaiting the Flag Officer.

25 Jul 1842 at Bermuda.

24 Aug 1842 at Honduras.

2 Nov 1842 at Honduras and Mexico.

23 Jul 1845 detained the slave brigantine Quatro de Mar�o, 146 tons, master A J de M Moraes, owned by Antonio Pinto Fereira Viana, which had embarked 572 slaves at St Paul de Luanda, but only 540 survived to be emancipated when the vessel was taken before the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena and condemned on circa Jan 1846.

July 1846 action against pirates in Borneo - see below - see also p. 332-> at at www.archive.org/details/royalnavyhistory06clow

24 July 1846-47 paid to the officers and crew �13 11s. 6d., expenses of condemnation of the Quatro de Marco, at Sierra Leone.

5 Aug 1846 Operations against pirates.

6 Feb 1847 It is reported from Australia that when the Daniel Watson left Hongkong HMS Agincourt, 74, Admiral Cochrane ; Daedalus and Vestal, frigates, Vulture, steam frigate., Ringdove, brig, and the Minden, 74 were present.

20 Dec 1848 East Indies.

30 May 1850 Pirate bounty from operations of 5 Aug 1846, now payable.

Extract from the Log-Book of H. M. Brig Ringdove, At anchor in Carlisle Bay. Barbados. in the Hurricane of the 26th July, 1837, per Lieut. J. W. Tarleton, R.N.

At 10 A.M. on 26th, the sympiesometer fell from 30.10 to 29.74. At 11, sympiesometer rising. Noon, sympiesometer 29.92. No barometer on board.

Extract from the log of HM Sloop Ringdove, John Shepherd, Master.

Borneo.
(From the Friend of China, August 17. [1846])
We have received from an authentic source a narrative of the late operations of the fleet under command of Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane against the Sultan of Borneo, which we lay before the public, trusting that it will correct any erroneous impressions which may have been conveyed by the garbled statements in the Singapore papers.

Forcing The Bruni River; Capture of Eight Forts, Mounting Forty-Nine Heavy Guns, the Town of Borneo, and Complete Success of British Policy.

The national policy of late years of Great Britain in her intercourse with the northern portion of Borneo, termed " Borneo Proper," has been moat praiseworthy and enlightened. The suppression of piracy - the abolition of slavery - the introduction of the usages of civilised life, and a fair and honourable commercial intercourse with its people, are the leading features of the late Government treaties; and in her efforts to obtain them, no system of aggression or aggrandisement had the least influence or in any way directed her conduct. Twelve months previous, in the presence of her sovereign, and his principal rajahs, a solemn and binding treaty for the .above purposes was concluded by the British Admiral, and willingly. agreed to in open conference by both contracting parties ; and the readiness of Sir Thomas Cochrane to comply with his part of it was seen in the entire destruction of those pirates who had infested the country, and from their strong holds bade defiance to the Sultan's wishes. He has had a vessel constantly cruising between Singapore, Sarawak, and Bruni ; and, in company with Captain Bethune and Mr. Brooke, personally interested himself and explored her coal mines, that it might be the means. even by government vessels, of opening a trade which might ultimately be of consequence to our merchants.

But scarcely was his squadron gone. than powerful and discontented chiefs represented to the Sultan (Oman Ali Saffadeen) the ruin of their resources. the destruction of their slave trade, and that England in forcing herself upon them had sinister views, which would end in the entire overthrow of their barbarous policy. The party, always strong, gathered strength by impunity, and as their lives had been passed in scenes of violence and rapine, they would not and could not sit down quietly and see the trade they gloried in sink, and a more just and humane one rise from its ruins ; they gradually cooled from the English party, then came in direct opposition, and finally, when the imbecile sultan had yielded an unwilling assent, rose up and massacred with horrible determination every leader of the British party that they thought formidable to their wretched interests. Pangeran Muds Hassim, Pangeran Buddeerdoon, Pangeran Ishmael, with other nobles of less note, were slaughtered by the Sultan's party, because they upheld, with honour and integrity the treaty so honourable to their country. The treaty was scorned by the conquering party. and in their daring defied us, threw up batteries at every defensible post, staked the main arms across in four fathoms, and attempted the life of a British officer (Commander Egerton,) by sending down presents, and begging his presence at Borneo to be introduced to the sultan, who it was stated was anxiously awaiting the arrival of the English allies ; but the treachery that would have cost him his kingdom, and his nobles their lives, was frustrated by one of those peculiar movements that look as if Providence had determined by one stroke to lay bare their perfidy, and heap punishment on the evil doers. A favourite servant of Pangeran Buddeerdoon " Joppa," who was present during the last moments of this gallant and virtuous man, was entrusted with his signet ring, and the dying words of the young chief was a prayer that he would escape, inform Mr. Brooke that a design was in force to take his life, to warn him of the fate of the English party, and told him to tell the Rajah (Brooke) that he died trusting in the Queen of England to avenge his murder and her insulted alliance. For months this trusty servant lived in perfect obscurity, narrowly watched and often threatened. When the Hazard (corvette) anchored off the mouth of the River Bruni, determined not to let such a favourable opportunity slip from his grasp, he swam the river, seized a canoe, and. in the dead of night shielded by rain, succeeded in passing the forts without a challenge, and soon trod in safety the deck of the corvette, acquainted Captain Egerton with the cabals of the court party. and warned him not to think of entering the river, as he had heard the chiefs debating his death and those of the boats' crews he intended taking up with him. Upon the receipt of this intelligence, the Hazard weighed anchor without communicating with Bruni, proceeded to Sarawak, gave all the necessary information to the Government Agent, received his despatches, and made all sail for Singapore, found the Admiral had left. and forwarded by various routes the unpleasant intelligence, which was by the Tenasserim (steamer) delivered to the naval Commander-in-Chief at Madras.

Veiling his intentions from every one, he waited only two days for his English mail. and at Singapore collected round him the following ships, which had been summoned rapidly and at the exact time to meet him in that anchorage.

The Iris, Captain Munday, 26 guns
Ringdove, Sir W. Hoste. 16 guns.
Royalist, Lieutenant Reid, temporary commander, 10 guns.
Spiteful, Commander Maitland, 4 guns
Phlegethon, H. E. C. St.. Ross, Esq., 4 guns.
From the order for provisions and warlike stores obtained from the company's arsenal, it was surmised that their destination was Borneo, and it appeared in orders a few hours before sailing. The squadron started at night, made all sail, carrying a heavy press of canvas night and day. was joined by the Hazard on the 23rd, and the 24th of June saw them off the Sarawak. The Admiral went in the steamer up the Sarawak, took Mr. Brooke on board, and instantly pushed on for the River Bruni. off which the squadron cast anchor on the 6th of July. The Sultan immediately forwarded a despatch to the Admiral by a war canoe, but it was evident that he was merely gaining time, and his proposals were not accepted. At daylight on the 7th the Admiral reconnoitered the entrance, and by the 8th at 3 .a.m. all the arrangements were entered into, and the campaign commenced.

The marines and S. A. men were ordered on board H. M. S. Spiteful, commander Maitland. The field, mortar, and rocket battery, on board the Phlegethon. The Royalist was taken in tow by the Spiteful, and the Phlegethon took the gun boats under her charge. The signal was given to weigh and sound ahead to Phlegethon, and the ships proceeded up the river, the small steamer sounding 200 yards ahead of the Spiteful

The force was commanded by the Commander-in-Chief in person.
Captain Johnston, of the Agincourt, commanded the whole of the landing forces, assisted by commander Egerton, of the Hazard.
The gun boats by Captain Mundy, of the Iris, assisted by Lieutenant Patey, of the Agincourt.
The field, rocket, and mortar battery, by Lieutenant Paynter, of the Agincourt, assisted by Lieutenant Heath, of the Iris.
The marines, by Captain Hawkins. R.N.

As the force came up in sight of the lower forts, mounting in all 21 guns, the enemy were observed to take down their matting, hoisted their flag, and coolly awaited the rapid approach of the steamers. and when within good range commenced firing. The Phlegethon's pivot gun and the field and rocket battery immediately returned it with a rapid and well . directed five, assisted by the gun boats as they shoved off and opened out in view of the forts The enemy's fire was badly directed, and the shot, grape, &c , went in every direction but the true one ; and the rapid closing of the Spiteful sent them flying from their guns in the utmost confusion. The gun boats were ordered to carry the forts, firing ceased on both sides, and so well and nimbly did the foe desert their standards, that when the first invader was on the parapet he could only manage to have a long shot with a pistol at the last of the conquered. The forts above the town behaved better; as the Phlegethon rounded the point and appeared in view, they commenced firing with great accuracy at 900 yards. The field battery and the guns of the Phlegethon returned it with success, and the rapid closing of the other vessels to take part in the action drove them from. their guns with a loss on the British side on board the Phlegethon of two killed .and eight wounded; several shot struck the steamer and' filled her fore compartment, the water on both sides of her was ploughed up in every direction, and the commander of the Phlegethon deserves great credit for the able manner he handled her under fire.

The British remained undisputed masters of the forts. batteries, and guns, forty-nine in all, twenty-eight large brass ones go to England, to be placed at the disposition of Her Majesty's Government. The enemy's dead were earned away before the seamen and marines took possession.

Humbled by defeat, powerless through desertion, a fugitive front his capital and people, Omar Ali Saffadeen, attended by a few of his nobles, took refuge from the British forces is the impenetrable jungle of the interior, nor did he stay his wretched flight till a hundred miles, and dense forests were placed between him and his persevering foe, who without correct intelligence, ignorant of the country,. and trusting to doubtful guides. fondly believed that a march and a day would surprise and capture the royal deserter. It was determined by the Admiral, without loss of time to follow up the tide of success, and the next day a marching column of 400 men, commanded by Captain Mundy, having under his orders Lieutenants Newland, Matthews, Paley, Heath, Norcock, Morgan, Captain Hawkins, R.M., Lieutenants Alexander and Mansell, R M., started with the intention of securing Tuan Pangeran Hassim (the adopted son of the sultan) first; and by a forced march afterwards suddenly appear before the sultan's house. ere he had timely notice of their intention; but the guides willing enough to surrender to the English the persons of their nobles, were not so sufficiently base to betray their sovereign - money nor threats, present advantages, nor future prospects. had not yet to the unlettered savage. taught him the terrible crime of foul treason to his country and treachery to a fallen king. The main object of the expedition therefore failed; but with energy and zeal the column, moved upon the points supposed to harbour the enemy, burnt the suppositious residences of royalty. captured six brass guns, and after four days' marching in heavy rain through plains covered as far as the eye could reach with water. and through jungle so thick as to afford an effectual screen from pursuit, returned to the steamers, having displayed throughout the march a steady discipline sufficient to merit the approbation in orders of Sir Thomas Cochrane. The Admiral having despatched this column of pursuit, received information upon good authority that another noble, Hadji Saman, was secreted up one of the creeks twelve miles distant. with his followers, and could easily be secured. He instantly despatched Lieutenant Paynter and Mr. Cresswell with 20 men, and 150 Malays in their, war canoes, to bring him in a prisoner: and so correct did he deem this information, that a seizure of the person, and not a death wound, was to have been the destiny of Hadji Samara. But intelligence was communicated to the refugee, and before the first boat had started upon the scent, he bad abandoned the river with his followers, and put miles and mountains between him and his pursuers. To burn his houses, &c., and destroy his plantations, was the, only resource left to gratify disappointment, and repay the annoyance of an unsuccessful chase; however, his hiding place was revealed by a peasant, under the threat of death, and the next morning Pemmormein (the principal chief in Borneo) had his canoes in chase - and it is to be hoped that driven from creek to creak, and deserted by his attendants, this bold and reckless warrior may meet the death he has so cruelly awarded to the English party in Borneo.

In the mean time, through the agency of Mr. Brooke, and the interested attachment of the native chiefs, the admiral published a pro-clamation calling the townspeople to resume their occupations and inhabit their houses, promising them protection and security from all injury - so ably did he conduct this policy, that cunning and suspicious as the Malay is in character, crowds came pouring into the town daily, and seven days had not elapsed, ere the English stranger saw. trusting to his faith and dependant upon his power, no less a multitude than 12,000 people, relying on the word of their conquerors more securely than on that of their native rulers. How forcibly ought this fact to strike a civilized people. We came as enemies to their sovereign, determined to revenge a cruel and unmanly massacre, we defeated them in fair and honourable fight; we humbled their proudest chieftains, and took military possession of their capital, but blood once arrested; and all honourable exertions for destruction ceasing to exist, we became the willing supporters of the people, neither ravaging their villages, burning their crops, nor maltreating one individual - we had ceased to be foes, and claimed them as allies, and the captives were dismissed, if not with presents, certainly without injury. What a lesson for all Europeans, and of what deep import upon all our transactions would a continuation of such humane conduct have upon mutual intercourse with untutored men. The proudest moments of the Commander-in-Chief must have been when he denounced the outrage, and prohibited a single act of injustice to be committed upon a fallen foe.

Unable as the Admiral was to communicate direct with the Sultan, yet the serious inconveniences attending a total absence of all Government, forced him to accelerate the great object of his policy by an appeal to the well disposed of the nobles, and aware that the ruler over the country united in his person the twofold character of Sovereign and Priest, and that the people had a routed conviction of the propriety of absolute submission to the will of the reigning despot, he wisely forbore to insist on Omar's abdication, but strenuously exerted himself to overshadow his temporal dominion by a complete and total change in the administration of his Government. Summoning to a conference the Pangerans of the British party on the deck of the Spiteful, he explained to them his wishes - placed their affairs before them in a clear and forcible light; urged them to rise and be the leaders of their countrymen in the paths of peace, and to resist as ruinous to their national prosperity the horrible trade of slavery and piracy. and called upon them boldly to denounce in their public conferences, and treat as rebels and traitors, the vicious ruffians who from henceforth upheld it. He promised them British protection and naval assistance in carrying out the object of his mission, but he told them also in language too clear to be misinterpreted by the designing, his determination to resist to the utter-most any infraction of the treaty, and threat-ened to carry fire and sword into the heart of the empire if their solemn declaration only shielded the infamy of a national falsehood. They answered him with feeling, and let us trust with good faith, promised that though they could not as good subjects dethrone " Omar Ali," yet they would sacrifice their lives ere they would allow the Sultan to dis-grace the nation by violating its honourable engagements, and called upon Pemmormein to assume with their full concurrence the reins of government, requesting him to call to his as-sistance any of the assembled leaders. Pemmormein accepted with modesty the honour-able burthen of command, named Pangeran Behar his second in rank, and promised to forward ere nightfall a full account of the debate to "Omar Ali," and in the confidence of pos-sessing power, assured the Admiral that the sultan would readily yield a willing tribute to the successful enterprise of the British, by bowing implicitly to their reasonable demands. The assembly shortly afterwards broke up, a proclamation was issued to the inhabitants, stating in general terms the policy to be pur-sued, and a letter was forwarded to the hiding place of the Sovereign at Sarakee, acquainting him with the course of events, and calling upon him to resume his sway; but, explaining to him in express terms that the measures of his reign must be guided by the clauses of the treaty.

The Sultan has since the squadron left agreed to the terms, and is in quiet possession of his throne, supported by the British party.

The first act of Pemmomein's ministry was to bring to trial and death, three of the captured leaders who commanded the forts that fired upon the English; they were cressed over the grave of the murdered Buddrudeen whose assassination they had been instrumental in accomplishing.

Interfering so seriously in the national councils as we have done, sound prudence demands that England should assist the efforts of the Bornean kingdom in her march of improvement, and as she has destroyed by force her powers of committing evil, heal by a generous interest in her welfare the divisions of her rulers, and if the minister only pursues with honesty and firmness the policy so clearly laid down for him, Europe may yet acknowledge the northern portion of Borneo entitled to an importance, and assuming a position, that half a century earlier would have been deemed impossible.

Every thing having been arranged between the Admiral and the Government, to the satisfaction of both parties. the Spiteful and Phlegethon steamed down the river and joined the squadron off Mooris Point on the 22nd, and the fleet stood to sea at daylight on the 23rd of July for Maluda Bay, leaving the Hazard off the Bruni river.