Naval Establishment Gazette 2019

Naval Establishment Gazette 2019

By Their Lordships Command

Naval Establishment Gazette

For the Year A.D. 2019

Given at The Narrows , U.C.

This 12th day of April, 2020.

Notices and Appointments

VADM Richard Price, late of the squadron of His Majesty's vessels on the Penetanguishene Station is promoted Admiral.

James Lowrie, also late of the Penetanguishene Squadron and recently deceased, was due for promotion to Vice Admiral. His promotion is confirmed and his name will appear on the list for the remainder of the calendar year.

For meritorious service while serving with the HMS Chatham and for exemplary activity and service while commissioning her, Derek Walter is made acting-Lieutenant. A Lieutenant’s Board of Examination will be held in the future when time allows.

Major Christopher Black, Royal Engineers, is attached to the Western Lakes Station (Captain Schifferdecker officer in command) and is made acting-Lieutenant (N) when acting at sea until such time as he can be certified for further promotion in the Naval Establishment. He will retain his rank in the Royal Engineers for service ashore. Acting-Lieutenat Black and vessel Georgiana are detached to the environs of Lake Manitoba where she will survey and police the region.

For continued outstanding service to the Naval Establishment, Jason Grainger, warranted gunner (Amherstburg) is made Fleet Master at Arms.

Martin Burnett, of the Provincial Marine of Amherstburg is made Master Gunner (NE).

Warranted cook, Gurth Pretty of HMS Psyche, is made Keeper of the Stores, liaising with the Victualling Board, and is charged with keeping the Naval Establishment properly supplied and/or other duties as assigned.

All promotions to be dated from December 1, 2019.

Other appointments, Lieutenancies and Warrants are under review and shall be Promulgated shortly.

The Naval Establishment Squadron

The following vessels and longboats have served, or expressed willingness to serve, as vessels of A Naval Establishment squadron and Longboat Flotilla when circumstances and available support warrant.

Fair Jeanne, brigantine

St Lawrence II, brigantine

Playfair, brigantine

Mist of Avalon, schooner

Lynx, schooner

Empire Sandy, schooner

Black Jack, brigantine

The Naval Establishment Longboat Flotilla

(Subject to revision and correction)

Witch

Rolette*

Surveyor

Thunderer

Lynx

Badger

Auld Alliance*

Dawn Star*

Kestrel

Heron

Insolent

General Arnold

Guttersnipe

Dromedary*

Bytown Whalers (2)

Royal George

Psyche(as Pandora*)

Ferret

Rumbustion*

Georgiana

Growler

Bobbie G*

Raven

Red Wing

United

Chatham

Queen Charlotte

Felix

Warrior

Beatrice

(* winners of the Cock of the Walk award)

I have the Honour to be

Yours

With very great Regard

Thomas Hurlbut

Commodore (pro tem) commanding

Naval Establishments

Crown Forces North America .

G O D  S A V E  T H E  K I N G

Upon the occasion of the Admiral's Retirement

Old Harbour, Jamaica

29th July, 1812

Aboard Mercury

My dear Sir,

If this letter was deliver’d as it was meant to be, it should have arrived to you with the Portrait that I have commissioned. Know sir that it was only my Esteem and affection for you that gave rise to its creation, and in no way motivated out of a desire for advancement or favour with the Admiralty. You have always been so very kind to my men and I in our endeavours aboard the Acasta, it was my desire to repay that kindness to you in some small way.

It is my hope that it will adorn the walls of your home for years to come, and then, the walls of your children and grandchildren who will look upon it and recall, with fond emotion, the fine man that you are.

My only regret is that I am unable to deliver this portrait to you in person. I am bound for England where I must see my man of business and tend to the final details of the purchase of my new estate, Purvis Lodge.

I wish you all health and success in your endeavours, and please know that I am

Your most humble servant

Captain Jas. Robt. Rehme K.B.

HM Ship Acasta

Vic Suthren with his portrait

A letter from Fort Niagara

From: Thomas Hurlbut, 

Commodore, 

HM Sloop Royal George, 

Navy Bay, 

Kingston, 

Upper Canada.

To: Sir James Rehme,

Captain,

HMS Acasta,

At sea.

3rd August, 1813.

My Dear Sir James,

I must express my Appreciation for the Loan of several of your prime Seamen for the recent Exercise against Brother Jonathan at their stronghold at the Mouth of the Niagara River. The nature of the Operation as conceived by Commodore Yeo and General Prevost, required a significant Marine force to be landed on the unforgiving Beach at Niagara with precise Timing, thereby to take Advantage of the exposed Position of the US forces. Commodore Yeo detailed myself to be Responsible for this Element of the operation and, I can say with some measure of Pride, it went off Marvellously.

In the end, the fort was carried by storm, due in no small part to that played by the forces under my direct command

While I was aboard the Pennant vessel Auld Alliance, involved in directing the Naval forces and the landing of the Marines, your new 3rd Lieutenant, Lord William Fitzroy was in direct command of the Vessel itself and performed Admirably. I shall place his name in my report, urging that Sir James Yeo mention him in his Dispatch to the Admiralty. He seems to be a Promising young Officer and, if he manages to keep from having his Head knocked off by an enemy Ball, should go far.

However, Sir, not all I have to report is pleasant to hear. Due to the Desperate shortage of trained Seamen here on the Lakes, I fear I must ask that we Retain your men a while longer. I have no doubts but that you will receive Fresh drafts of Men from Britain long before we shall see a Soul here in the Interior. I am sorry, but I believe Commodore Yeo will issue Orders to that effect.

(I have arranged an exemption for Hollybass though. You may have him back.)

In the meanwhile, I wish you good Hunting on the Atlantic coast and hope that you fall in with one of the American frigates soon. I’ve no doubt but that your Ship will win a resounding Victory!

I am,

Your most Humble Servant,

Thomas Hurlbut,

Commodore

A Letter to the Captain

To: Captain Rehme

HMS Acasta

At Sea

From:

Commodore Thomas Hurlbut

American Station,

Halifax,

Nova Scotia

June 15, 1813

My Dear Sir James, 

I have recently heard of your detached boat’s crew taking the American cutter, now known as HM Cutter Little Belt, named for the sloop-of-war HMS Little Belt (20 guns), in which that fellow Bingham made such an heroic stand against USS President (rated 44) in the year ’11. Well done, Sir! The vessels on the Lakes, late of the Provincial Marine and now under the control of the Royal Navy, need every hull they can acquire to ensure command of those inland seas. I expect that you’ll want those fine fellows back but skilled Seamen are desperately needed there and I hope you’ll consider letting us use them for the time being. I’ve no doubt that you’ll have good luck in replacing them with fresh drafts from England, certainly more easily and more readily than we can here in British North America.

Next month, I will be heading to Upper Canada with a detachment of Sailors to participate in operations against United States fortifications and would appreciate the use of your boat’s Crew of skilled and experienced Hands. 

I wish you the best of good fortune, Sir.

Your Most Humble and Obedient Servant,

Thomas Hurlbut,

Admiralty House,

Halifax

Success to Nelson!

February 8, 1805

Royal Navy Dockyard,

Halifax, Nova Scotia.

To: Dr. Albert Roberts,

Ship's Surgeon,

HMS Acasta

At sea..

From: Thomas Hurlbut, 

Captain,

HMS Satyr.

My Dear Doctor

While briefly at home here in Halifax, my ship receiving a much needed "small repair", I was greeted one morning with a package in the post . 

As I am known to be particular about the mail (lose not a moment!), our very dutiful, and earnestly persistent servant brought the package to our bedroom. Surprisingly, it was from your assistant, Baptiste. 

I hadn't realized the man knew I existed. I'm not sure we've had two words between us, and so to receive anything from him was puzzling. 

More to the point Doctor, his known fascination with natural philosophy (and particularly small creatures, no doubt in proud emulation of yourself!) gave both my wife and I some concern.

When the sender of the package was made known the sudden trepidation surrounding the possible contents of the parcel was palpable. The imagination can be truly frightening, can it not? We instantly were compelled to give it a wide berth.

Our morning routine ruined, we quickly made for the main room to have our breakfast. The package followed, and was placed on the table between us by the sevant. We both drew back as far as we could.

"Earnest" then produced a letter opener to enable me to see the contents. Never did I feel a weapon at hand was more inadequate to the task. I would rather a pistol, even a club!

My wife moved to the doorway, to be able to close the door and trap the contents (and me!!) so that it (they?) could not escape.

I plunged the knife into the brown paper, expecting the appearance of many legs to emerge from the hole produced.

Nothing.

I peeled back the paper (slowly!), wondering if a small head might poke out..

Still nothing. 

(Well, it's been at sea a while, maybe it's dead?)

Finally, knife in hand, I lifted the top of the small box, and.

Actually, I discovered a fine drinking vessel for my morning coffee (that was produced just as I pulled it from the package! "Earnest" again!).

I must express my appreciation when next I see your man. Perhaps I'll send a word through my cox'n who I understand is a friend to him (I believe they both are fluent in French!).

I am enjoying my brief respite from my patrol. The North Atlantic is miserable this time of year.

Your Humble Servant

Thomas Hurlbut,

Halifax.

Reading of the Mail

Some video of Acastas having gotten their mail and reading through it!

A Letter for the Commodore

A letter was recently laid in my hands to foward to Commodore Hurlbut.

To:  Commodore Hulburt                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

St Mary's    
30 Jan'y 1815

Sir,
   
    Please accept my kindest thanks for the frequent missiles you have sent me. I now write you Rowland for an Oliver and I hasten to reply.

    I start this missile with the joyous news of New Orleans.  General Jackson's campaign seems to be well appreciated, both in this country and in Europe. It will occupy an honorable place in history.
   
    The chances for peace should, if fighting a reasonable people, be good, for they the gentlemen of Parliament are certainly a whipped people, but are too proud to acknowledge it. Pride, "The never failing vice of fools" can only prolong this war.  I hope sincerely the days of peace are near, when we can beat our swords into pruning hooks, and return to the benign pursuits of peace, and nuture our families.

    My sense of propriety dictates, that He, who rules the universe knows what is best for us all, that is dictated by infinite wisdom, not some king with no mandate from the people, and I am consequently constrained to say, Our Father, "Thy Will be done".

    In my youth, before my disability I was like a tiger robbed of his whelps in battle, I was like a destroying angel, no height to bold, no sea to deep, no fastness too stormy, that I did not solicit to be permitted to storm. Permission was granted, and with the assistance of bold hearts and willing hands, I was the instrument of my country against the foul French.  Under such impulses I did storm, what was considered untakeable.  the Le Bon Pierre was my first prize as Master. While in Command during that little war with the French I maintained a full crew with not a casualty.  I feel that I have performed my duty.  I suppose that my period has about expired in the Navy of my great country and I daily hope to hear that it is successfully finished with a peace we can all enjoy.  I love my country so that I am still willing to honor "Ole Glory", our starry banner as long as I possess the power to do so, and will assist to place it, and lead the way, to the top mast.

      You should call on me here after the war. The climate is very pleasant, that having been no snow yet and very little weather which can be called cold.  The dampness of the atmosphere, however, renders warm fires nessecary half the time. Oysters are abundant on the coast and are now beginning to come in plentifully. Shad and other fish are beginning to make their appearance.  They Are delicious.

I have the Honor to be with great Respect,

Sir your Obedt. Servant.

Hugh G. Campbell

P.S. Remember me kindly to Captain Lee whom I meet in Malta before the Current episode.

A letter from the Commodore

To: 

Captain Robert Freymann,

HMS Acasta,

Halifax Station,

Nova Scotia.

From:

Captain Thomas Hurlbut,

Royal Naval Dockyard,

Kingston,

Upper Canada.

January 31, 1814.

My Dear Robert, 

With the savage winter snows swirling about the buildings here at the dockyard, it encourages us to find tasks suited to the indoors. Although I am charged with making a regular inspection tour of our squadron at anchor here in Navy Bay (and do so on a weekly basis), I am mostly involved in endless accounts. As I have already completed this week’s round, and find the pile of paperwork has diminished to an acceptable level, I now have time to write to friends and colleagues on elements of Naval warfare here in the north.

Indeed, between the weather and the general idleness of many of the officers, we look to social pursuits to fill our time. It has been a custom for a generation in these parts, to have as a mid-winter distraction, a Ball to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday, and this winter was no exception. Sir James, upon noting the value of said Ball and the like, decided to dine all his senior officers in to take measure of their Spirits and to boost them as necessary. You may recall that our Autumn just past was one of great difficulties and equally great disappointments.

As the dinner was to gauge the moods of the officers present, the normal ban on discussing matters professional was lifted and so the talk became quite spirited.

One topic with much heated discourse was on carronades versus long guns, and I know you would have been quite interested and involved, had you been present.

It is perhaps not well known that our squadron has a preponderance of carronades as opposed to U. S. Commodore Chauncey’s more balanced armament. As you know, for many years, we have been removing 4 and 6 pounder long guns for the smaller vessels in the Royal Navy, and replacing them with 12, 18, 24 and even 32 pdr carronades. Our sloops and brigs on the lakes reflected that practice. We even have some 68 pdrs! Indeed, since most of our encounters up to this point were at close quarters and small warships are not stable firing platforms, closing the range seemed the only way to ensure hits. It made perfect sense.

I took the position that carronades are most useful with our ships and even postulated that this would be the weapon that would prevail.

“Why would you say that?” asked Sir James, inviting me to continue.

“Well Sir, I base this on my experience with the North Sea Fleet when I was Sailing Master aboard HMS Director (64), Captain Wm. Bligh.

“One ship of the Fleet was the fourth rate HMS Glatton (56), an ex East Indiaman launched in 1792, bought into the service in ’95 and commissioned under Captain Henry Trollope. She was initially armed with 28-68 pdr carronades on the lower deck and 28-42pdr carronades on the upper deck.”

“Ah yes, Sir Henry was always mad for carronades!” said Sir James.

“Well, although the 42s were replaced with 32 pdrs early on, she could still boast a broadside of 1400 lbs!

“On the 15th July, 1796, alone, she fought a French squadron of four frigates, three corvettes and an armed cutter, causing them so much damage that they had to break off the action.”

“Yes, it’s true,” says Sir James, “and in the last war, Sir Henry captured the French 40-gun frigate l’Hebe with the old two-decker 44 Rainbow, with 20-68 pdrs on her lower deck, 22-42 pdrs on her upper deck, 4-32 pdrs on her quarterdeck and two more on her foc’s’l! That must have given her a broadside of something over 1200 lbs!”

Consulting my notes I said, “Well, 1238 lbs. Sir James.”

“Now, Captain, can you not see that in both these situations, the enemy was unaware of the nature of their opponent, in both instances thinking they had a decided advantage and closed the distance to their ultimate peril? Had they been aware of the limited range of Sir Henry’s guns, they could have hauled off to over 500 yards and battered him to kindling!”

He paused for a moment, then,

“Have you ever heard of Commander John Wright and HM Sloop Vincejo?” he asked me.

“Yes, Sir James.” 

He continued, “In the year ’04, armed with only 18 pdr carronades but for her two chasers, she was surrounded in Quiberon Bay by French gunboats and pounded from range, compelling her surrender!

“No Captain, it’s not short range carronades we need, no matter the size of their shot, but bigger guns with longer range, miles of range, so you can hit the enemy as soon as you can see him! And with explosive shot, to increase the damage! That’s the future of Naval gunnery!” he stated with great enthusiasm.

“Hear him, hear him!” came the near simultaneous roar from the assembled officers.

Then, staring intently down the table to catch the eye of the “vice”, he nodded.

The mid seated there then raised his glass and said, “Gentlemen, the King!”

“The King!” we chorused.. 

God bless him..

There is great zeal for the service and we can’t wait for the lakes to open up so that we may again attempt to fight the foe!

But only at close range until the Commodore’s long guns arrive..

I trust all is well with you and Acasta?

I wish you good hunting, my friend!

YMOS,

Tom,

Kingston, U.C.

Ship's data and some history comes from Rif Winfield's British Warships in the Age of Sail, the 1714-1792 (Rainbow and Director) and the 1793-1815 (Glatton and Vincejo) volumes.

The service history of Sir Henry Trollope GCB comes from Volume 3 of A Naval Bibliographical Dictionary 1849. There's a footnote on the career bio of Captain George Barnes Trollope about his esteemed half-brother, the late Admiral Sir Henry Trollope (deceased 1839).

Curiously, the footnote above it is for Lieutenant Robert Trist. Lieutenant Trist was a Master's Mate and passed lieutenant aboard James Yeo's sloop of war Confiance (rated 18 although she was armed with 22 carronades!) and was confirmed Lieutenant due to heroic deeds he committed in 1808 while serving under Yeo. He served under Yeo again aboard HMS Southampton (32), Sir James' last vessel before coming to the lakes in 1813.

The Commodore at the Jane Austen Festival

Commodore Tom Hurlbut reads one of the letters he received as part of the Mail Packet at the 2016 Jane Austen Festival.

Images from Gunboat Weekend

A party of Acastas went ashore in Bath, Ontario this past weekend for the Crown Forces North America: Naval Establishment's 'Gunboat Weekend' event. 

Commander Sorensen of H.M. Sloop Chatham

St. Lawrence II in action

 

The Commodore and his wife take a stroll down on the dock to inspect the boats.

Fritz, Hollybrass and Vassermann out on the Commodore's gig "Beatrice"