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Barracouta, 1851
Type: Sloop ; Armament 6
Launched : 31 Mar 1851 ;
Disposal date or year : 1881
BM: 1053 tons ; Displacement: 1680 tons
Propulsion: Paddle
Machinery notes: 881 hpi 300 hp
Notes:
8 Jul 1848 It is reported that orders have been given by the Admiralty for building three steam-vessels, designed by the Committee of Reference on Naval Architecture -viz., the Resolute, of 400-horse power; the Barracouta, 300-horse power; and the Brisk, 250-horse power ; the two first-mentioned paddle-wheel propellers, and the last propelled by the screw. The Resolute is to be built at Portsmouth, the Barracouta at Pembroke, and the Brisk at Woolwich.
20 Dec 1848 Pembroke, building
Oct 1856 Hong Kong, sailed for the Canton River, towing the Calcutta as far as the her draught permitted ; then towed ship's boats of the Winchester, Comus, and Bittern, as far as her draught allowed, when they were detached up the river to Canton, where, with other boats of the squadron, the various Chinese forts guarding the river were captured. Also, with the Coromandel, took possession of the Barrier Forts.
27 Oct 1856 would appear to have made her way further up-river since she fired on selected targets in Canton.
5 Nov 1856 attack, with ship's boats, on 25 mandarin junks and the capture of the French-folly Fort.
8 Nov 1856 narrowly avoided 4 fire junks.
12 Nov 1856 bombardment and capture of the Bogue Forts and the Anunghoy Forts on the following day.
15 Nov 1856 Calcutta's boat returned up river, with the Nankin's boat, under tow of the Barracouta, during which an accident occurred to the Nankin's boat, resulting in the loss of 2 lives, arms and heavy equipment.
8 Jan 1857 British forces commenced withdrawal from off Canton, to Hong Kong.
15 Jan 1857 Canton.
15 Feb 1857 Hongkong.
15 Mar 1857 Canton, after which she appears to leave the area.
1 Oct 1856 - 26 Jun 1858 Parliamentary Grant of £33,000, for services (in lieu of Prize Money) on the China Station to be divided between 56 Vessels
1860 North America and West Indies
6 May 1861 Sheerness. Commissioned for Service on the North America and West Indies Station.
1 Jan to 23 Nov 1864 North America and West Indies Station. Reports of fevers and heart disease onboard. Number of Cases of Disease and Injury.
23 Nov 1864 Paid off.
1870 Sheerness
1879 Chatham