Wednesday, June 26

June 1799 Captures



The London Gazette 
Publication date: 8 October 1799 
Issue:15192
Page:1030

Monday, June 17

Acasta and the Valiant

17 June 1813,

Valiant was in company with Acasta when they came upon Wasp in pursuit of an American brig off Cape Sable. The three British ships continued the chase for another 100 miles before they finally were able to capture the brig. She was the letter of marque Porcupine, of more than 300 tons, and was carrying a valuable cargo of brandy and silks from Bayonne to Boston. In his letter to the Admiralty of 7 September, a copy of which was printed in the London Gazette, Captain Robert Dudley Oliver of Valiant described Porcupine as being only eight months old and an uncommonly fast sailer. After the capture, Wasp, which had recaptured a prize that the privateer Young Teazer had taken, sailed in search of the privateer. 

HMS Valiant was a 74-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 24 January 1807 at Blackwall Yard.
From the London Gazette.

Wednesday, June 5

What a Bosun Wears

'Sailors Carousing' 1802 by Julius Caesar Ibbetson (1759–1817)
Bo'sun?
And the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty do hereby further give Notice, that the Uniform directed, in pursuance of His Majesty's Order on the 17th November 1787, to be worn by the Warrant Officers of His Majesty's Fleet, viz. Blue Cloth Coat, with Blue Lappels and round Cuffs, fall down Collar, Three Buttons to the Pocket and Cuff, white lining, but not edged with white; Button with an Anchor, same as the Captain's former one; white Cloth Waistcoat and Breeches. Shall be worn only by Gunners, Boatswains and Carpenters; and the subordinate classes of Warrant Officers shall not be allowed to wear Lappels.

From the Admiralty Rules, 1807

It it generally believed that the seated fellow  visible at the left through the doorway/window in the Ibbetson painting above, is a Bo'sun given his mode of dress and the chain about his neck. See enlargement detail.

Above Left: Bo'sun, HMS Venerable, 1799. Above Right: Bo'sun's Mate, HMS Gloucester, 1812

Tuesday, June 4

PAY DAY!

The Wages of other Officers, and of Seamen, with the Number of Officers allowed to a ship of each Rate, are as follows: 
(HMS Acasta was a 5th Rate, highlighted in blue)

From
Regulations and Instructions 
relating to His Majesty's Service at Sea. 
Established by His Majesty in Council.
1790s Edition, pgs 146-149


From
Regulations and Instructions 
relating to His Majesty's Service at Sea. 
Established by His Majesty in Council.
1808 Edition, pgs 142-147