Fantome, 1839
Type: Surveying Service ; Armament 16
Launched : 1839 ; Disposal date or year : 1864
Notes:

2 Nov 1839 has been commissioned at Chatham by Commander Edward H. Butterfield.

28 Dec 1839 arrived at Spithead : she is destined for the African station, and will take out supernumeraries for the squadron.

4 Jan 1840 Portsmouth Commander Deare takes a passage in the Fantome, to re-join the Lily; and Lieutenant Beddoes, to rejoin the Harlequin - on the coast of Africa.

25 Jan 1840 at Spithead.

15 Mar 1840 arrived at Sierra Leone, Commander Butterfield in command, and sails shortly for the Cape.

12 Apr 1840 detained in lat. 25° 21' S. Long. 12° 48' W. the Brazilian slave brig Republicano, late Pampeiro, Juan Garcia, master, which was sent for adjudication to the British and Brazilian Court of Mixed Commission, Sierra Leone, and on 5 Jun 1840 sentenced to be condemned.

28 May 1840 arrived at the Cape of Good Hope.

29 Aug 1840 detained off the Rio Congo the Brazilian slave vessel Claudina, which was sent for adjudication to the British and Brazilian Court of Mixed Commission, Sierra Leone, and on 6 Oct 1840 sentenced to be condemned.

11 Oct 1840 detained in lat. 11° 40' 0" S. 5° 20' 0" E. the Brazilian slave ship Onze de Novembro, which was sent for adjudication to the British and Brazilian Court of Mixed Commission, Sierra Leone, and on 11 Nov 1840 sentenced to be condemned.

14 Dec 1840 detained in lat. 8° 10' S. Long. 13° 8' E. the Brazilian slave schooner Bellona, F. P. Ferreira, master, which was sent for adjudication to the British and Brazilian Court of Mixed Commission, Sierra Leone, and on 4 May 1840 sentenced to be condemned.

26 Dec 1840 detained a slave launch, Name Unknown, with 3 slaves on board which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena and sentenced to be condemned.

31 Dec 1840 detained the slave vessel Aventureiro, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at Sierra Leone, and sentenced to be condemned. 18 Apr 1844 proceeds due for payment.

8 Jan 1841 the Fantome, Waterwitch and Brisk detained in lat. 8° 40 0 S. Long. 13° 0' 0 E. the Portuguese slave brig Orozimho, which was sent for adjudication to the British and Brazilian Court of Mixed Commission, Sierra Leone, and on 29 Oct 1840 sentenced to be condemned.

1 Feb 1841 detained the slave vessel Faesca, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena and sentenced to be condemned.

8 Apr 1841 at St. Helena.

1 May 1841 detained in lat. 2° 1' S. Long. 8° 40' W., en route from Whydah to Havanna, the Spanish slave brigantine Josephina / Josefina, M. A. dos Santos Pereira, master, with 291 slaves on board, which was sent for adjudication to the British and Spanish Mixed Court of Justice, Sierra Leone, and on 20 May 1841 sentenced to be condemned.

9 Jun 1841 detained the Portuguese slave brigantine Boa Nova, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena and sentenced to be condemned.

19 Jun 1841, Assistant-Surgeon W. T. Rogers (from the Southampton) promoted to Surgeon; and appointed to the Fantome.

25 Jun 1841 detained a slave vessel, Name Unknown, supposed Espardarte. 21 Dec 1843 the proceeds arising due for payment.

4 Jul 1841 detained the slave vessel Triumfo, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena, and sentenced to be condemned.

3 Oct 1841 detained the slave Conceiaco de Maria, which was taken for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena, and sentenced to be condemned.

25 Dec 1841, Commander Philip G. Haymes, appointed in command, vice E. H. Butterfield, promoted to the rank of Captain.

4 Jan 1842 detained a slave vessel, Name Unknown (No. 6). 21 Dec 1843 the proceeds arising due for payment.

13 Feb 1842 detained the slave vessel Diligencia / Diligente, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena, and sentenced to be condemned. 21 Dec 1843 the proceeds arising due for payment.

13 Aug 1842 detained a slave schooner, Name Unknown, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena, and on 20 Dec 1842 sentenced to be condemned, with 314 slaves being emancipated.

12 May 1846 action with Moorish pirates following their capture of the British brig Ruth - see p. 360 at at www.archive.org/details/royalnavyhistory06clow

20 Dec 1848 Portsmouth

12 Apr 1851 Commissioned by Commander J. K. Gennys to replace the Fly on the New Zealand Station. En route for N.Z. she will carry the mail to the West Coast of Africa for the Squadron based there.

2 Mar 1851, departed Plymouth Sound with the Fantome, to relieve the survey squadron on the Australia Station. 11 Mar 1851 arrived at Madeira, where the Calliope and Fantome were joined by the Pandora.

16 Mar 1851, departed Madeira for Rio de Janeiro.

Circa 4 Apr 1851, arrived at Rio Janeiro, departing on the 23rd for the Cape of Good Hope, when the squadron was towed out of harbour by the Cormorant.

11 May 1851, arrived at the Cape of Good Hope, at the same time as the then troop ship Vulcan. Whilst there the men spent many hours fishing over the side, often making a good catch.

28 May 1851, departed the Cape of Good Hope with mail for the Australian colonies, passing the islands of Amsterdam and St. Paul's whilst en route for Van Dieman's Land.

12 Jul 1851, arrived at Van Dieman's Land, the Calliope having already arrived.

17 Jul 1851, departed Hobart Town, (aka Hobarton, now known as Hobart), and clear of Storm Bay on the 19th.

25 Jul 1851, arrived Farm Cove, Sydney for refit, the Havannah, Calliope, Pandora, and Acheron, already being in port.

10 Aug 1851, departed Sydney, for Auckland.

26 Aug 1851, arrived in the Waitemata, the harbour for Auckland, to relieve the Fly, who departed on the 29th. Landed the 5 deer brought from Mount Edgecumbe, Plymouth.

28 Oct 1851, departed Auckland and anchored at Waiheki.

31 Oct 1851, departed Waiheki, for Wangari for a few days, and took the ground off the edge of the Mare's bank, the tide lifting her off a few hours later.

7 Nov 1851, departed for the Bay of Isles.

27 Nov 1851, arrived Wellington.

3 Dec 1851, arrived at Port Nicholson.

4 Dec 1851, departed for Hobarton, arriving off Tasmania on 21st.

22 Dec 1851 arrived Hobarton, remaining for about 4 months.

30 Apr 1852 Departed Hobart Town for the Auckland Islands.

8 May 1852, arrived at Sarah's Bosom, the anchorage at the Auckland Islands, in lat. 50° 32' 30" S., long. 166° 12' 34" E., a whaling station almost due south of New Zealand, where an earth quake was experienced on 22 Jul 1852. During their time at the islands the Fantome was used as a prison for the men from the whalers who were condemned in accordance with the Mercantile Marine Bill, 13 and 14 Vict., cap. 93, sec. 82, the only building ashore built for the purpose now being in ruins.

5 Aug 1852, departed the miserable islands, as the Auckland Islands were described. For more read Three Years Cruise of the Australian Colonies, by the purser, R.E. Malone, 1864, available in Google Books.

11 Aug 1852, returned to Hobarton.

21 Aug 1852, having re-provisioned etc., departed in search of the screw steamer City of Melbourne, bound from Melbourne to Launceston a fortnight previously, but nothing since seen or heard. Could find no trace of the vessel, but on arriving at Melbourne discovered that the vessel had got ashore on King's Island, and all on board were saved. Touched the the ground when calling at Three Hummock Island, but no apparent damaged caused.

1 Sep 1852, anchored at Port Phillip.

3 Sep 1852, It is reported that the Fantome remained at the Heads, on account of the possible desertions of crew to the gold fields. She has recently been employed cruising the islands of the straits, in order to render assistance to the vessel "City of Melbourne", which has been wrecked on King's Island, but without avail. Argus. 3 Sept.

12 Sep, 1852 departed Port Phillip.

16 Sept, 1852 arrived Sydney Cove from Port Phillip. Whilst at Sydney the ship's drummer fell overboard in a fit and drowned. He was buried on the north shore, the marines providing a tomb stone.

16 Oct 1852, Deserters John Barker, Uriah Marshall, and Edward Tregoning apprehended aboard the brig Esther Arthur appear in front of the Water Police Magistrates. The sailors offered no defence and were ordered to be placed aboard the Fantome. The master of the Esther Arthur was acquitted of harbouring the deserters.

2 Nov 1852, departed Sydney for Wellington, but being unable to make Wellington due to a gale, anchored under Mana Island.

13 Nov 1852 Having taken the mail ashore to Porirua on the Tuesday last it was discovered that medical advice was required by one of the settlers. Thursday morning, still lying off the Island of Mana the captain, with the ship's surgeon, with a crew of 8 pulled for shore in a ship's boat, but on coming close to shore the surf upset the boat and all hands were thrown into the sea, at which time the surgeon and 4 men were drowned. Surviving members of the crew of the boat were badly bruised through being dashed against the rocks in the heavy surf. No bodies have been recovered to date. New Zealand Spectator.

13 Nov 1852 Captain Tinley of the William Alfred reports that 2 more seamen of the Fantome have also been drowned since those mentioned above, in a second boating accident when their boat was broached-to and also over turned.

The next edition of the New Zealand Spectator reports that the Master of the Fantome decided on the Sunday that since the first boat had failed to return he should go ashore to discover the cause of the delay and render any assistance necessary. Some time after 3 o'clock in the afternoon he went ashore in the whale boat with 4 men and pulled for Porirua harbour. Having crossed the bar safely and 100 yards from shore, the boat was struck by a number of rollers which firstly filled and then upset the boat. Whilst 2 men, including Mr Polkinghorne, the Master, clung to the boat 3 swam for shore, 2 of whom were drowned, the third being rescued by one of the crew of the Captain's boat, who rushed into the surf at the risk of his own life.

One of the settlers, a Mr. Tandy, on being informed of the accident, and at some risk to himself, put out in his own boat, a small dinghy, and rescued the master, by then almost insensible, and the other seaman.

The captain had attempted to avert the disaster by placing men appropriately, but due to the bad weather the crew the cries of the men went unheard. An officer and doctor from the 65th regiment visited Porirua on the Monday with a view to providing such assistance as may be necessary.

20 Nov 1852, anchored at Wellington, where the surgeon's body was eventually buried, having been found.

13 Dec 1852, departed Wellington for Taranaki and Nelson.

3 Feb 1853 departed from Queen Charlotte's Sound for Sydney.

14 Feb 1853 arrived Sydney from N.Z.

7 Mar 1853 departed Sydney for the Bay of Islands and Auckland.

26 Mar 1853 arrived Auckland.

5 Apr 1853 Departs Auckland for Wellington

13 Jun 1853 Arrived Auckland from Wellington.

18 Jul 1853 Arrived ???? from Auckland

17 Aug 1853 Departed Mana.

26 Aug 1853 Cdr Gennys, arrived Sydney with passengers: Capt Murray and Lt Ward. She is about to refit and will not leave for some time.

11 Oct 1853 Acheron, assisted by men of the Fantome got the "Walter Hood" afloat after she'd gone ashore close to Bradley's Head.

11 Oct 1853 Seamen and Marines of this ship assisted R. A. A. Morehead of Spring Street, Sydney, in putting out a fire at his premises, for which a £10 donation was received to be divided amongst those who gave help.

30 Oct 1853 Acheron, with men from the Fantome attended wreck of the "Exchange," off Camp Cove, to give assistance and help in recovering stores, merchandise and fittings etc.

10 Nov 1853 Sailed for Auckland.

6 Dec 1853 The New Zealander reports the ship having sailed for Wellington and the Southern Settlements.

25 Feb 1854 Circa. Sailed for Wellington.

29 Apr 1854 Sailed for Hobart Town.

31 May 1854 Departed Hobart Town.

5 Jun 1854 Cdr Fitzroy, arrived Sydney from Hobart Town - passenger: Lord Arthur Churchill.

10 Jun 1854 Departs Sydney for Melbourne

24 Jul 1854 Assisted "Hilton" put out fire on Saturday night.

3 Aug 1854 Departs Melbourne on a cruise

28 Aug 1854 Fantome fired warning guns for the "Lightning" as the master had failed to pay-off 6 members of the crew who had volunteered for service in the RN. An arrangement was made and the vessel allowed to continue on her voyage. See also Anonyma.

23 Sep 1854 Sails from Melbourne for Adelaide

16 Oct 1854 News has been received that the Fantome will remain in our harbour [Sydney] till an early day in next week, when she will leave for King George's Sound, with about £20,000 in specie for the Commissariat Department in Western Australia.

23 Oct 1854 It is reported that the ship's company exercised gunnery, small arms and cutlass practice and also carried out fire and damage control exercises

11 Nov 1854 Leaves Swan River for the Eastern colonies.

25 Dec 1854 Following an inquiry held on board two pilots have been discharged from the service for negligence following the loss of the "Maria" and "Ontario" which both went ashore at the Heads. Full report on Page 251 (1854).

23 Feb 1855 Leaves Melbourne for Auckland.

19 Mar 1855 Arrives Auckland from Melbourne after a stormy passage. Lieut. Percy Sherwell dies en route. The reason for the visit is to defend against an unknown threat - possibly native uprising - about which the local population live in happy ignorance!

10 Apr 1855 Arrived from Auckland (28th ultimo.) and Kawau (31st ultimo.) and made a good run.

28 Apr 1855 Sailed from Sydney for Hobart Town

8 May 1855 Launceston - went on shore early yesterday morning, in a fog, on this side of Half-Moon Bay. One of the officers proceeded to Hobart Town and returned with the Government launch and 2 boat's crews, to get her off, and it was expected that she would arrive in port in the afternoon. We hear that she was on her broadside on the hard sandy beach. Launceston Examiner of 10 May reports that she was got off and was to be put on the patent slip

9 May 1855 Arrives at Hobart Town from Sydney, but see previous report.

25 Jun 1855 Sent to scene of loss of "Catherine Sharer" barque, by explosion, in D'Entrecasteaux's Channel

22 July 1855 Arrived Sydney from Hobart which she left of 17th inst. HMS Fantome has had a good passage of 4 days from Hobart Town. Captain Gennys reports the steamer Tasmania hence, as having arrived on the 17th and would sail again for this port (Sydney) on the 19th inst.

Sep 1855 Electra about to leave for Sydney for duty and that her place here (Melbourne) will be filled by HMS Fantome, now lying at Port Jackson

Following an inspection it was discovered that a major repair was required to replace dry rot - a repair not usually perform away from HM Dockyards - an interesting report - see page 227 (1855)

4 Oct 1855 Departs Sydney, on a cruise

10 Oct 1855 Entered Port Phillip at 6 pm.

11 Oct 1855 Arrived Melbourne from Sydney

12 Nov 1855 It is reported that the Fantome's crew are engaged onboard the troopship Windsor, dismantling her preparatory to fitting the vessel for sea. She will probably be ready for sailing from Melbourne to Hobart Town on the 1st approx., for the purpose of conveying the 99th regiment to England. On Monday morning the main yard fell from the slings and cut the gunwale down to the deck, causing one of the boys working over the side to fall into the water. He was instantly picked up by one of the crew of the Fantome, named Barnes, who jumped overboard and rescued the lad who was uninjured.

Left the Bay (Port Phillip, yesterday on a cruise in search of the dismasted ship. Captain Matthews, Lloyds agent, has gone down in the steamer Black Eagle to endeavour to find the vessel, but he was unable to get through the Heads yesterday.

16 Nov 1855 salvage services rendered to the American merchant ship Flying Arrow.

19 Nov 1855 Reported that now accompanied by the steamer "Marion" in search of dismasted ship near King's Island.

17 Dec 1855 Fired a royal salute yesterday afternoon in honour of the success of the allied forces in the downfall of Sebastopol. The tri-colour was hoisted at the fore and the ensign at the main of the man-of-war