HMS Africa (1862)
HMS Africa (1862)


Royal NavyVessels

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NameAfrica (1862)Explanation
TypeSloop   
Launched29 March 1862   
HullWooden Length160 feet
PropulsionScrew Men140
Builders measure669 tons   
Displacement913 tons   
Guns    
Fate1862 Last in commission-
ClassRosario   
Ships bookADM 135/7   
Career
DateEvent
29 March 1862Launched at Devonport Dockyard
13 August 1862renamed China, sold to Chinese Imperial Customs
13 December 1863Resold to Egyptian government
Extracts from the Times newspaper
DateExtract
We 17 September 1862The screw steam sloop Africa, 4, 669 tons, left Plymouth on Sunday, under the flag of the Emperor of China - green ground, yellow border, and yellow diagonal cross, - having been purchased by His Imperial Majesty. She is now called the China. This sloop will bear the pennant of Capt. Sherand Osborn, R.N., and will be in charge of Commander Allan Young. She is to be masted, rigged, and equipped for sea in the Victoria Docks, London, where the Amoy (late Jasper, 1, gunvessel, 301 tons, 80-horse power), Lieut. Arthur Salway, R.N., is under equipment. The third ship belonging to the squadron, the screw gunvessel Mohawk, 4, 679 tons, with engines of 200-horse power, is commanded by Capt Burgoyne, R.N. There will be a redundancy of commissioned officers on board each ship. The squadron will, after equipment, proceed for Pekin.
Sa 27 February 1864

HOUSE OF COMMONS, Friday, Feb. 26.
THE ANGLO-CHINESE FLEET.

Colonel SYKES asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Africa, of four guns and 150-horse power, built in Her Majesty's Dockyard, at Devonport, and launched on the 20th of March, 1862, was sold to the Chinese Government; for what sum, and whether that sum had been paid; whether any other of Her Majesty's vessels had been sold to the Chinese Government; for what sums; whether the prices had been paid; and whether any moneys were due, and the amount, from the Chinese Government on account of vessels sold, or for the supply of warlike or naval stores to the so-called Anglo-Chinese fleet lately under the command of Captain Sherard Osborn, C.B., R.N.; and when the ship's books of Her Majesty's ship Encounter were likely to be received at the Admiralty. He farther wished to know whether the prices obtained from the Chinese Government exceeded or fell short of the cost prices of the ships.

Lord C. PAGET said the purchase-money of the Africa had been fully paid, and likewise that of the Jasper and Mohawk. The stores supplied had also been paid for. In the books of the Accountant General, however, there was a sum of 776 l. 7 s. 6 d. Still remaining due to the public for stores supplied to that expedition, and the Accountant-General believed that a further small sum would arise for stores supplied to the squadron after their arrival in Chinese waters. Captain Sherard Osborn had called upon him that day, and he had undertaken to state on his behalf that the debt of the Chinese Government would amount to about 100 l. When the Admiralty had paid Captain S. Osborn for certain stores supplied by him before he left to the senior officer of the navy in China. Everybody knew that it was very costly to send out stores to China, and it was therefore a matter of good policy and economy to purchase the stores out there at their original price. After balancing accounts there would remain, as he had said, a sum of 100 l. Due by the Chinese Government, and he had every reason to believe it would be paid. As to the latter part of the question, the ship's books of the Encounter were now in the office, as far as they ought to be, until the ship was paid off; and his gallant friend by applying to the Accountant-General could have any extracts from them printed which he thought necessary.

Colonel SYKES said the noble lord had not stated whether he got the cost price of the ships from the Chinese Government.

Lord C. PAGET replied that the ships were sold at a valuation. They were disposed of for their real value at the time, just as they would be to any private individual.

Colonel SYKES.- At a loss. (Laughter.)



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