HMS Phoenix (1832)
HMS Phoenix (1832)


Royal NavyVessels

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NamePhoenix (1832)Explanation
Type2nd class sloop TypeSloop
Launched (Paddle)25 September 1832 Converted to screwFebruary 1845
HullWooden Length175 feet
PropulsionPaddle   
Builders measure812 tons Builders measure (as screw)809 tons
Displacement1024 tons Displacement (as screw)1024 tons
Guns6 Guns (as screw)10
Fate1864 Last in commission1855
Class    
Ships book   
Snippets concerning career prior to conversion
DateEvent
25 September 1832Launched as wooden paddle sloop at Chatham Dockyard.
1835
- February 1835
Commanded by Commander Hugh Nurse
9 September 1835
- 11 August 1838
Commanded by Commander William Honeyman Henderson, coast of Spain (during the civil war)
19 November 1836
- 8 March 1837
Commanded by Captain Lord John Hay, coast of Spain (during the civil war)
20 July 1839Commanded by Commander Robert Spencer Robinson, Mediterranean
4 March 1840
- 6 January 1841
Commanded by Commander Robert Fanshawe Stopford, Mediterranean (including operations on the coast of Syria in 1840)
16 January 1841Commanded by Commander John Richardson, Mediterranean
1 January 1842Paid off
Career as unarmoured wooden screw vessel
DateEvent
February 1845Undocked as screw sloop at Curling & Young, Limehouse.
27 December 1845
- 4 September 1847
Commanded (from commissioning at Woolwich until paying off at Woolwich) by Commander James Samuel Aked Dennis, Home station, then Mediterranean
10 July 1849
- 24 October 1850
Commanded (from commissioning at Portsmouth) by Commander George Wodehouse, west coast of Africa
3 August 1850Commanded by Commander Thomas Henry Lysaght, west coast of Africa
15 August 1851Paid off.
14 July 1853
- 25 October 1853
Commanded (from commissioning at Deptford until paying off) by Commander Edward Augustus Inglefield, to bring supplies to Sir Edward Belcher's expedition at Beechey Island, Barrow Strait (Assistance, Belcher; Pioneer, Sherard Osborn, tender to Assistance; Resolute, Henry Kellett) and Intrepid, Francis Leopold McClintock, tender to Resolute). He returned with the news of the discovery of the north-west passage by Robert John Le Mesurier McClure
21 February 1854
- 25 October 1854
Commanded (from commissioning at Woolwich until paying off at Woolwich) by Captain Edward Augustus Inglefield, returning, together with Talbot (Samuel Gurney Cresswell), to Beechey Island to re-supply Edward Belcher's ships, Inglefield succeeded in bringing home most of the personnel of Investigator (abandoned by Robert John le Mesurier McClure in the Prince of Wales Strait after successfully passing through the North-West Passage from the Bering Strait) and the four vessels of Belcher's expedition, which the latter also abandoned
10 February 1855
- 1 October 1855
Commanded (from commissioning at Woolwich until paying off at Sheerness) by Commander John Montagu Hayes, White Sea, during the Russian War
26 January 1864Sold to Castle for breaking up at Charlton.
Extracts from the Times newspaper
DateExtract
Ma 14 September 1840It appears that neither the Salamander nor Comet steam-vessels are to be paid off; they are equipping at Woolwich, with great despatch; they will be both at Spithead about the last week in September. The Medea will leave Woolwich on the 24th. The Vesuvius is fitting at Chatham for the Mediterranean. These four steam ships will increase Sir R. Stopford's force to 10 powerful steam-vessels of war, he having already the Gorgon, Cyclops, Phoenix, Rhadamanthus, Hydra, and Stromboli; and to which there are several steamers already fitted for guns, &c., employed in the conveyance of the mails, such as the Acheron, Volcano, Prometheus, Megaera, Alecto, &c.
Sa 14 December 1844

11 December 1844

This frigate was towed down to the East India Docks on Wednesday last, for the purpose of having her machinery completed. Her burden is 820 tons; her power, 260 horses; and her armament, two pivot guns and 10 carronades. She has been fitted with a new pair of vibrating engines, similar in every respect to those last year applied to the Admiralty yacht, Black Eagle, tubular boilers, and Mr. Steinman's patent submarine propeller, which, may be briefly described as two radiating helical blades set each upon an arm, and advancing from an angle of 30° to an angle of 45°. Its number of revolutions per minute will be 55 only, which is 57 less than that last tried in Her Majesty's steamer Rattler, and its diameter is 12 feet. The Phoenix, which, it will be remembered, has till now been propelled by paddle-wheels, is immediately to be commissioned. The engineers employed in fitting her are. Messrs. Penn and Son and Messrs. F.C. Christy and Co.
Th 13 February 1845

10 February 1845

THE PHOENIX STEAMER.

The first trial of the Phoenix war steamer was made down the river on Monday last, when, drawing 12 feet 9 inches fore and 13 feet 9 inches aft, her speed was found to average 9.616 miles per hour, her engines, of 260 horse power, making 22.75 revolutions per minute (their legitimate number), and her propeller (Mr. Steinman's patent) 56.875. This same invention when tried a second time in the Rattler war-steamer gave, drawing 10 feet 8 inches fore and 12 feet aft, a speed of 9.457 knots per hour, the engines, of 220 horse power (with 25 revolutions), making 25.244 revolutions per minute, and the propeller 100.896, whilst that of Mr. Smith's, when tried, a 25th time, in the same vessel, and under the same circumstances, attained a speed of 9.638 knots, the engines making 26.98 revolutions, and the propeller 107.92, thus showing an increase of .181 of a knot (little more than a sixth) in 9.638 knots in favour of the latter, when assisted by 1.756 additional engine revolutions per minute, or 15 horses extra power.
We 10 September 1845

9 September 1845

The Phoenix, screw propeller steam-vessel, is in King William IV's dock for the purpose of being completed.
Tu 30 December 1845

27 December 1845

Phoenix was commissioned at Woolwich by Commander James S.A. Dennis.
Sa 7 February 1846

6 February 1846

The Phoenix steam-vessel, Commander Dennis, was docked at Woolwich this morning, to have a false keel, to prevent her excessive rolling.
Ma 16 February 1846

15 February 1846

The Phoenix steam-frigate, Captain John Robe [sic], has been placed under orders to convey Captain Hennis's company, 2d battalion of the Royal Artillery, to Jersey, to relieve Captain Dupuis's company, 8th battalion.
Fr 20 February 1846

19 February 1846

The Phoenix, Commander J.A. Dennis, will receive on board to-morrow the baggage of Captain Hennis's company (6th Battalion of tie Royal Artillery), and the company will embark on Saturday for a passage to Jersey, to relieve Captain Dupuis's company. Captain Hennis's company was inspected this morning on the guard-mounting parade, at Woolwich, by Colonel Turner, C.B., accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon, Brigade-Major Cuppage, and Captain and Adjutant Innes.
Sa 21 February 1846

20 February 1846

The Phoenix, steam-vessel, Commander Dennis, will be ready for sea on Sunday. She will be paid advance at Portsmouth.
Sa 28 February 1846

26 February 1846

The Phoenix, screw steam-sloop, Commander Dennis, arrived at Portsmouth in the morning from Woolwich and left in the evening, with Royal Artillery companies, for Jersey.
Th 26 March 1846

25 March 1846

The Phoenix, Commander Dennis, arrived at Spithead this afternoon from Woolwich to coal, prior to going to the Mediterranean. She takes out supernumeraries, and Mr. Gilbert Dormer, master, takes passage in her to join the Volcano on the Mediterranean station.
Fr 27 March 1846The Rattler steam screw steam-sloop, Commander Smith, is ordered to the Mediterranean forthwith [This order was obviously later countermanded. On 11 April Phoenix - the only other screw sloop yet in commission - did depart from Spithead for the Mediterranean]. She is now coaling &c.
Fr 27 March 1846The Phoenix, screw steam-sloop, Commander Dennis, came into harbour this afternoon to coal, &c. She appears vastly inferior to the Rattler, both in power and beauty.
(various)this gets replaced
We 8 April 1846

7 April 1846

The Phoenix steam-sloop, Commander Dennis, went out from Portsmouth to Spithead this afternoon.
Th 9 April 1846

8 April 1846

The Comet steam-vessel, Lieut. Commander W. Pretyman, took out Adm. Sir Charles Ogle, bart., the Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth this morning, to muster the crew and inspect the Phoenix screw steam-sloop, Commander Dennis at Spithead.
Ma 13 April 1846

11 April 1846

The Phoenix steam-sloop, Commander Dennis, left Spithead in the afternoon for Gibraltar.
Fr 17 April 1846The Phoenix screw steam-vessel, Commander Dennis, left the Sound for the Mediterranean.
Th 23 April 1846Her Majesty's steamer, Phoenix, has arrived at Gibraltar, in nine days from Plymouth.
Tu 22 September 1846The Phoenix arrived at the Squadron of Evolution (at sea) with important despatches from the British Minister at Madrid for the Admiral, which would perhaps alter the position of the fleet.
Tu 8 February 1853The Phoenix screw stream sloop, Commander Inglefield, is to be brought down to Woolwich from Deptford to-morrow or Wednesday to be fitted with her boilers, and made ready in every other respect at this port for her voyage to the Arctic regions [In 1852 Capt. Sir Edward Belcher had been placed in command of five vessels - Pioneer, Resolute, Assistance, Intrepid, and North Star, for an expedition to search for the missing ships commanded by Sir John Franklin (1786-1847), who had sailed to the Canadian Arctic in 1845 in an attempt to find the Northwest Passage and had never returned. Inglefield was to take out supplies to Belcher]. Commander Inglefield visited Woolwich to-day, and had a lengthened audience with Commodore Henry Eden on the subject of the new expedition to the North Polar Seas. Commander Inglefield went on board the Isabel screw steam vessel daring his visit, and it is expected she will be made ready, in compliance with the wishes of Lady Franklin, to proceed in the first week in March for Behring Straits, in company with the Rattlesnake, provisioned and fitted out at Sheerness, and placed under Commander Trollope, for the same destination. Commander Inglefield paid a visit to Chatham Dockyard last week to inspect the Lady Franklin sailing vessel, it being in contemplation that she should accompany his expedition, as a storeship.
Tu 15 February 1853The Phoenix steam sloop, Commander Edward A. Inglefield, will be accompanied during his outward voyage to Beechy Island by a sailing vessel of about 800 tons, the Admiralty having advertised for a vessel of about that tonnage, to be commanded by a merchant captain and merchant crew, the arrangement intended being that the sailing vessel is, immediately on her arrival at Beechy Island, to deliver her cargo and return home during the same season. It is not yet finally decided, owing to the new arrangement of a vessel of 800 tons being employed to convey stores to the Arctic regions, whether the Lady Franklin or Sophia, the sailing vessels of Captain Penny's expedition [in 1850-1 Capt. William Penny led an expedition with these two vessels to the eastern Arctic in search of Franklin], and at present idle at Chatham, will be again employed in the expedition of 1853; but as these vessels are only of about 190 tons each, they would be most desirable auxiliaries in the event of its being found necessary to send either or both up the Wellington Channel after Captain Sir Edward Belcher's expedition, especially as a vessel of 800 tons would not be suitable, in the event of her services being required for that purpose, owing to her great draught of water. The Lady Franklin and the Sophia, manned by officers and seamen of the Royal Navy, and placed under the command of Edward A. Inglefield with the rank of captain, would, or at least one of them, be subsequently available to proceed up Smith's or Jones' Sounds, or arms of the great expanse of water which was seen by Commander Inglefield during his voyage up the former Sound last year, and enable him to decide, in the comparatively large steamer Phoenix, to what extent the open water would be found in that high latitude, and where it led to.
Fr 25 February 1853After being taken into dock, Phoenix had her copper stripped off, and is now being doubled on the outside. Her deck has also been doubled, and her bows greatly strengthened, and she will be completed in these parts of the vessel by Saturday evening next, the greatest exertions being made by all hands to have her ready for sea as early as possible. Commander Inglefield is daily on board, to give directions and see that the work is executed to his satisfaction.
We 23 March 1853The Isabel, Lady Franklin's screw steamvessel, will steam down the river to Greenhithe on Thursday, and Commander Inglefield will proceed to that station to swing her compasses; and it is expected she will be able to leave the river on Saturday, on her enterprising voyage, in charge of Mr. Kennedy, for Bhering's Straits (Phoenix).
Tu 5 April 1853The Isabel screw steamer, Commander Inglefield, going out to Behring's Straits on a voyage in pursuit of the missing Arctic expeditions, arrived in Portsmouth this morning in tow of the African steam tag from Woolwich where her outfit has been so ill executed that she has to have her upper works caulked in this port (Phoenix).
Th 7 April 1853The Isabel screw steam vessel, Commander Inglefield, having completed caulking, went out of Portsmouth this morning in tow of the African steam tug, but the weather looking threatening she anchored in Cowes Roads (Phoenix).
We 13 April 1853

12 April 1853

The Phoenix screw steam sloop, Commander Edward A. Inglefield, had her steam up to-day at moorings in the river to try her engines, and they continued working from half-past 7 a.m., until late in the afternoon. She will soon be ready for sea, and will complete her crew at Peterhead, where she will obtain a number of hardy sailors enured on former occasions to an Arctic winter.
Ma 25 April 1853

23 April 1853

Phoenix taken into the basin at Woolwich for the convenience of completing her coaling.
We 27 April 1853

26 April 1853

Phoenix is now so heavily laden that she draws 16 feet of water. She has a large supply of stores and coals, but a portion of the latter will be consumed in her voyage to the North Polar regions. It is now decided that two sailing vessels, laden with stores for Captain Sir Edward Belcher's expedition, will accompany the Phoenix to Beechy Island, and the Diligence store ship is now loading at Deptford, to be employed, in addition to the Breadalbane, on that service. The Breadalbane has taken on board 200 tons of the best Welch coals at this port, and will be taken out of the basin and up to Deptford to receive provisions. She will then return to Woolwich, and fill up with patent fuel.
Fr 29 April 1853The Rhadamanthus brought 16 volunteers from the fleet at Portsmouth round for the Phoenix, Captain Inglefield, at Woolwich. The Phoenix has been joined to-day by lieutenant Bellot, of the French navy, who previously served as a volunteer in the arctic regions with Mr. Kennedy, in Lady Franklin's vessel the Prince Albert. M. Bellot intended to have proceeded with Mr. Kennedy this year in the Isabel screw-steamer, belonging to Lady Franklin, and now on her way to Bhering's Straits, but owing to domestic affairs, he was unable to proceed with her, but, to show his ardour in the search for Sir John Franklin, he has volunteered to proceed to the North Polar regions in the Phoenix, under Commander Inglefield. The Phoenix has to-day taken on board 50 tons of patent fuel, which has been all placed on deck at the stern of the vessel, and yet has left ample room for navigating her. It appears the Diligence is at Devonport, and not at Deptford, as was inadvertently stated on Tuesday, but she is to be immediately brought round to Woolwich, under the charge of Lieutenant James E. Elliott, who has been to Devonport to obtain able seamen for service in the Phoenix, and has succeeded in obtaining 20, who will navigate the Diligence to this port. Fifteen able seamen have also volunteered at Portsmouth for service in the Phoenix, men having been allowed to volunteer from any of the ships in commission.
Fr 6 May 1853

5 May 1853

The Breadalbane, hired storeship, for the Arctic regions, having taken on board her stores at Deptford, was towed down the river to Woolwich lo-day, and it is expected the Phoenix, Commander Edward A. Inglefield, and the vessels of the expedition will leave this port next week on their enterprising voyage to the North Polar regions.
Sa 14 May 1853

13 May 1853

The Phoenix was inspected to-day by Commodore Henry Eden, Superintendent of Woolwich Dockyard, and the vessel will leave this port between 6 and 7 o'clock to-morrow morning to be again tried at the measured mile when in fall seagoing order, and will then bring up at Greenhithe to have her compasses adjusted.
Sa 14 May 1853Phoenix left Woolwich about half-past 5 o'clock a.m. today, having Mr. Taplin, second-assistant to the chief engineer, on board, to report on her speed and working of the engines when tried with all her stores on board and complete in every respect for her intended voyage. On arriving at the measured mile at Sea Reach the time was taken, and on the average of four runs, two down and two up, her speed was found to be 7 2-10 knots per hour, the engines working very satisfactorily. The Phoenix returned to Greenhithe, and was brought up at moorings at that station to have her compasses adjusted.
The Diligence storeship left Woolwich shortly after 4 o'clock a.m. to-day, towed by the Monkey, and will be brought up and remain at the Nore until the whole of the vessels of the Arctic squadron leave the river on their enterprising expedition.
The Desperate screw steam-sloop, Captain William W. Chambers, left Woolwich this afternoon for Greenhithe, where she will remain until the Phoenix has had her compasses adjusted, and some experiments made in taking distances; and when these are completed the Desperate will take the Phoenix in tow as far as the Orkney Islands, in order that the latter vessel may husband her coals, and enter the Arctic regions under the most favourable circumstances.
Tu 17 May 1853

16 May 1853

The Zephyr steamvessel, in charge of Master-Commander W. H, Allen, of the Lightning steamvessel, went down the river to-day to Greenhithe, having on board Mr. Macdonald, Master-Attendant at Woolwich Dockyard, and the pay-clerks from the Admiralty, to pay the crew of the Phoenix screw steamsloop in advance, previous to her departure for the Arctic regions.
The Phoenix screw steamsloop, Commander Edward A. Inglefield, has received her sailing orders, and will leave Greenhithe after her compasses are adjusted and some magnetical and astronomical observations made, according to instructions given by Colonel Sabine. Similar observations are also to be made at Stromness, in, the Orkneys, at Whale Fish Islands, Disco, Cape Riley, and Cape Walsingham, these places being in her route to Beechey Island, whither she will proceed, leaving the Diligence store-ship at Disco, in charge of Lieutenant Elliott, who brought round that vessel from Devonport to Woolwich. On the arrival of the Phoenix at Beechey Island she will deposit the stores there which she is taking out for the relief of Captain Sir Edward Belcher's expedition, and return to Disco and transfer the 400 tons of coal at present on board the Diligence into the Phoenix. The Diligence will immediately after return home to England this summer, under the command of Lieutenant Elliott. The Phoenix will then proceed to explore Cumberland Sound, and hold on to the westward as far as Repulse Bay, as the north side of that sound has not as yet been searched for the missing expedition. Commander Inglefield, if he finds no traces of Sir John Franklin and his companions in. that direction, will return through Cumberland Straits, and proceed up Smith's Sound, to follow out the traces of open water which he discovered there last year during his voyage in the Isabel screw steamsloop. The period of the return of the Phoenix will depend in a great measure on the discoveries that may be made by her commander. Captain Penny will leave England in the Lady Franklin sailing vessel, accompanied by the Sophia, to form a colony on the shores of Cumberland Sound, where the Esquimaux have reported there is abundance of plumbago and copper, with other minerals; and letters or parcels for Commander Inglefield's expedition, if sent by Captain Penny, will be delivered to the Phoenix when returning down from her search up Cumberland Sound.
We 18 May 1853

17 May 1853

The Barracouta, 6, paddlewheel steam-sloop, Commander George Parker, has taken in an extra quantity of coals from the coal depot Fortitude at Sheerness, and is now riding at the Nore waiting the arrival, of Captain Inglefield's expedition from Woolwich, which she will accompany to the ice.
The Archer, 14, screw steam-sloop, Commander J.N. Strange, has left Sheerness for Woolwich for a survey being held on her machinery and boilers, in order to ascertain her seaworthy state for accompanying Captain Inglefield's expedition to the ice with the Barracouta. The Archer's boilers are reported to be in a very defective state at present, and it is expected she will be paid off at Woolwich.
The seamen volunteers from different ships composing the Channel squadron, who have volunteered for service in Phoenix, have arrived at Sheerness, and were sent on board the Barracouta yesterday at the Nore. These seamen will complete the full complement required for the Phoenix.
Th 19 May 1853

18 May 1853

The Phoenix had her compasses adjusted yesterday, and, having completed her magnetical and astronomical observations at Greenhithe, left that station at half-past 4 o'clock a.m. to-day.
The Diligence store ship, Lieutenant-Commander Elliott, with stores for the Arctic expedition, left Greenhithe in about an hour after the Phoenix, and was towed by the Desperate steam sloop, Captain Chambers.
The Breadalbane will join the other vessels of the squadron at the Nore, and she will be towed by the Barracouta steam sloop to Stromness.
Fr 20 May 1853

19 May 1853

The Phoenix screw steamsloop. Commander E. A. Inglefield (last from Greenhithe), made her number passing down Sea-reach under steam at 8 a.m. yesterday; and at 9 a.m. took her departure, in company with the Barracouta and transport Diligence, northward. The expedition will remain off Stromness for a short time. This will be the first port they are likely to call at outward. Official letters and despatches left here by this morning's mail for that port for the expedition.
Tu 28 June 1853The Desperate, 8 guns, screw steamsloop, Captain William W. Chambers, made her number on demand at 8.30 p.m., yesterday, at 9 p.m. anchored at the Great Nore, and at 8 a.m. this day came into Sheerness harbour from the Arctic expedition. The Desperate left the Phoenix, 8 guns, screw steamsloop, Commander Edward A. Inglefield, and the Diligence transport, within about 15 miles of Cape Farewell, on the 19th inst. It being a dead calm at the time, the Desperate communicated with the Phoenix and Diligence through the day, receiving all letters and official despatches from them. She brings home three sick seamen from the Phoenix. On parting company, the Phoenix took the Diligence in tow, and loud and many were the hearty cheers given by each, until sound was distanced. About seven days previous to their parting company with the Phoenix and Diligence, the squadron fell in with a very heavy gale of wind, when the paddlewheel steamsloop Barracouta, Commander George Parker, with the Breadalbane in tow, parted company from the Phoenix, Desperate, and Diligence, and was not seen again either on the outward or homeward passage of the Desperate. The squadron fall in with a great number of icebergs of considerable altitude, and were for several days previous making their head way through immense masses of floating field-ice. With the exception of the three seamen sent home by the Desperate, the health of the officers and seamen on board the Phoenix and Diligence was excellent, and the parting company proved them in high spirits. There were a number of whales seen, all of which were old fish, and extremely large. The Desperate came home under canvas, in consequence of having exhausted her fuel within about 12 hours' consumption.
Th 18 August 1853

17 August 1853

The Diligence transport, in command of Lieutenant Joseph H. Marryat, of the Phoenix screw-sloop, arrived at Spithead this morning from Commander Inglefield's expedition to the Arctic regions with stores and supplies for Sir Edward Belcher's squadron in search, of Captain Sir John Franklin, and party. The Diligence has brought home despatches for the Admiralty, and letters from the Phoenix, and the crew of the whaler Rose, of Hull, which has been wrecked and entirely disabled by being nipped in the ice during a gale of wind in Melville-bay. This is the cause of the Diligence being sent home. She left Disco Island on the 25th ult. The Phoenix had sailed thence on the 13th ult., for Lancaster Sound, via Melville-bay, which was pronounced perfectly clear of ice. Commander Inglefield took the transport Breadalbane on with him to Beechy Island, but he had had no communication with Sir Edward Belcher's, or any of the other searching expeditions, up to the date of the Diligence being detached by him for England.
Ma 17 October 1853

15 October 1853

Promotions: Commander Edward Augustus Inglefield (1845), in command of the Phoenix screw steam sloop, to the rank of Captain for services performed in that vessel in conveying stores for the relief of Sir Edward Belcher's expedition, and depositing them at Beechey Island, and returning the same season, bringing to this country lieutenant Cresswell, of the Investigator, with the intelligence of the discovery of the north-west passage; and for his previous exertions, at his own expense, during his voyage in the Isabel screw steamer up Smith's Sound to the open water of the Polar basin.
We 26 October 1853

25 October 1853

The Phoenix screw steamsloop, Captain Edward A. Inglefield, was paid off to-day, at Woolwich. Previous to the crew being paid off, the officers, petty officers, and men all assembled in front of the pay-office, when Captain Inglefield read a letter, of which the following is a copy, which was forwarded to him by command of the Lords of the Admiralty:-
"Admiralty, Oct.7.
"Sir,- Having laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your letter of the 4th inst., received this day, I am commanded to convey to you the expression of their Lordships' great satisfaction at your proceedings.
" My Lords highly approve of the firmness, energy, and good judgment with which you have carried out their instructions, and of all the steps you have taken in the execution of their orders; and their Lordships desire that you will convey to the officers, seamen, and marines employed under your command, including the master, second master, and crew of the Breadalbane, the like expression of their Lordships' high approval of the manner in which you speak of their having done their duty.
"I am farther commanded not to conclude this despatch without signifying the deep regret with which my Lords have heard of the untimely death of an officer so much esteemed by them as Lieutenant Bellot, of the French Navy.
" I am, &c.,
"W.A.B. HAMILTON.
"Commander Inglefield, R.N., H.M. Steamvessel Phoenix."
The officers and men were much gratified when they heard the letter read, and previous to separating gave three times three hearty cheers for Captain Inglefield, and many of them audibly expressed their wishes that they might soon serve under him again. A finer or more healthy looking body of men were never paid off at this dockyard.
[Ingelfield had delivered supplies and dispatches to the five vessels under Sir Edward Belcher's command. He found North Star, one of Belcher's vessels at Beechey Island, Barrow Strait. In August 1853, Joseph-René Bellot, a French lieutenant and volunteer in Phoenix, was drowned in Wellington Channel on his way from Beechey Island to deliver messages to Belcher. Later in the same month, Breadalbane was nipped in the ice and sank off Beechey Island.]
Fr 16 February 1855

10 February 1855

Phoenix was commissioned at Woolwich by Commander Montagu Hay, late of the Champion. Her destination is the White Sea.
Sa 10 March 1855Phoenix is now fitting at Woolwich, she is rapidly filling up her crew, and will in the course of a few days be ready to proceed to her destination, the White Sea.
Ma 19 November 1855Phoenix has been put out of No. 1 dry dock, Sheerness and is now being cleaned out alongside the north wall of the fitting basin.
Sa 23 August 1856

22 August 1856

Phoenix was taken into the fitting-basin at Sheerness. She is ordered to be immediately fitted for particular service; Capt. Inglefield, it is reported, is to commission her for further search for the relics of the late Sir John Franklin and his associates [This was apparently not the case].
We 31 December 1856The following ships and vessels are now in port at Sheerness, in harbour, fitting-basin, and in docks, viz.:- The Edinburgh, 60 guns, Captain Edward P. Halsted; the Waterloo, 120 guns, Captain Lord Frederick Kerr, flagship; the Formidable, 84 guns, Captain-Superintendent John Jervis Tucker; the Royal George, 102 guns; the Terrible, 21 guns; the new screw steam corvette Scylla. 21 guns; the Argus, 6 guns; the Eurotas, 12 guns, screw mortar-ship; the Hydra, 6 guns; the Terror, 14 guns, floating battery; the Horatio, 12 guns; the Russell, 60 guns; the Hawke, 60 guns, Captain James Willcox, C.B., &c.; the Phoenix, 6 guns.; the Renard, 6 guns; the Foxhound, 6 guns; the Pylades, 21 guns; the Trusty, 14 guns, floating battery; the new screw steam frigate Emerald, 51 guns; the Hermes, 6 guns, Commander William E.A. Gordon; the Lizard steamvessel, Lieutenant-Commander Thomas B. Christopher; the Myrtle steamvessel, Master-Commander William S. Bourchier; the African steamvessel, Second Master-Commander R. Harvey; the Fearless steamvessel; the Wildfire steam tender to Waterloo, Master-Commander George Brockman; the Melampus, 42 guns, Captain L. Heath, C. B., &c. The gunboats Louisa, Magnet, Erne, Mayflower, Ruby, Sandfly, Carnation, Spanker, Pelter, Fly, Hasty, Cochin, Julia, Dwarf, Fidget, Griper, Mastiff, Mistletoe, Traveller, Spey, Surly, Herring, Sepoy, Bullfrog, Tickler, Manly, Thistle, and the new screw steam despatch gunboat Nimrod. The new ship Meeanee, 80 guns, is in No. 2 dry dock, being altered to receive screw steam machinery.
Ma 26 November 1860Phoenix is at anchor at Chatham, part of the (fourth division of the) steam reserve in the Medway, under the command of Capt. Charles F. Schomberg.


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