Brisk, 1819
Type: Sloop ; Armament 10
Completed : 1819 ; Disposal date or year : 1843
Complement :47 officers and men ; 10 boys ; 8 marines
Notes:

Rewards received from the Department of the Customs for seizures of tea, on the 13th July 1819; La Mouche smuggling vessel and spirits, on the 6th July 1820; and spirits, on the 13th September 1820, [per London Gazette of 26 Jun 1821].

Portsmouth 14 Sep 1820 The Brisk cutter arrived from a cruise [don't know if this is an error or if there was a cutter by this name ? ].

27 Nov 1821 [Brisk sloop] is in commission and based on Chatham and Sheerness.

Chatham 13 Sep 1823 Sailed with all despatch for the Nore with Admiralty orders.

Torbay 10 Oct 1824 Put in here due to the state of the weather.

Devonport 14 Oct 1824 Sailed with specie, for Dublin.

Smyrna 30 May 1826 Has been sent with a convoy to Enos, after which she is to proceed to cruise in the Silota passage.

6 Jan 1827 Employed in the Mediterranean.

Malta 12 May 1827 Refitting at Malta.

1827 the diplomatic and political situation which led the Battle of Navarin.

14 Oct 1827 state of the Allied Fleet off the Bay of Navarin and the numbers of Turkish vessels present. See also p. 256-> at www.archive.org/details/royalnavyhistory06clow.

20 Oct the Allied Fleet entered the Bay of Navarin and anchored opposite their Turkish equivalents, and shortly afterwards, following some sporadic firing, the battle became general. Numbers of allied personnel killed and wounded at the Battle of Navarin (a.k.a. Navarino), and the names of British Officers killed and wounded. Medals granted to all surviving Officers, seamen and marines (and soldiers who served as marines) per order of 7th June, 1848. † Prize Money see Sep 1834.

Valletta 4 Jun 1828 Fitting out for a passage to Carabusa.

Portsmouth 21 May 1829 Arrived at Spithead from the Mediterranean.

Portsmouth 3 Jun 1829 Paid off.

1830 Portsmouth

Per a report made to Parliament in 1842, at some time during 1831 the Gun brig Brisk, 3 guns, Complement: 48, was involved in combatting the Slave Trade.

Portsmouth 8 Jun 1831 At Spithead.

Cork 24 Sep 1831 Arrived.

Downs 10 Nov 1831 Remains.

3 May 1832 detained in lat. 3° 10' N., long. 5° 36' E., en route from the River Bonny to Havana, the Spanish slave schooner Prueba, Antonio Ferrara, master, with 308 slaves on board, of whom 274 were emancipated, 34 having died. The schooner was sent to the British and Spanish Mixed Court at Sierra Leone for adjudication and was condemned on 5 Jun 1832.

11 Jun 1832 bound for Accra when spoken with in lat. 5 N., long. 2 E.

28 Oct 1832 at Ascension.

During 1833 a total of 3 Deaths, 1 by accident.

23 Oct 1833 detained in lat. 4° 20' 0" N. long. 8° 39' 0" E., en route from the Calabar River to Havana, the Portuguese slave-brigantine Vertude, Manuel Izidoro, master, with 350 slaves on board, was sent to the British and Portuguese Mixed Commission at Sierra Leone for adjudication and was condemned on 21 Nov 1833 ; the proceeds arising will be registered in the High Court of Admiralty circa 13 Mar 1835.

Per a report made to Parliament in 1842, at some time during 1834 was involved in combatting the Slave Trade and experienced 2 Deaths by Accident, a Total of Deaths: 3.

1 Jan 1834 On the Cape of Good Hope and Coast of Africa Station.

Gambia 6 Jun 1834 Reported to be in the Bight of Benin.

4 Jul 1834 Cape Mount, west coast of Africa.

Sierra Leone 28 Jul 1834 Arrived.

† 30 Sep 1834 prize money for Navarin due for payment from 1 Oct 1834 - see London Gazette of 30 Sep for for details www.gazettes-online.co.uk.

Off the Gallinas 12 Oct 1834 Cruising for slave vessels.

Per a report made to Parliament in 1842, at some time during 1835 was involved in combatting the Slave Trade and experienced 4 Deaths.

Sierra Leone 28 Feb 1835 is reported to be off Sierra Leone, on the West Coast of Africa.

Portsmouth 10 Oct 1835 was paid off yesterday.

Per a report made to Parliament in 1842, at some time during 1838 was involved in combatting the Slave Trade and experienced 1 Death by Accident, and a Total No of Deaths of 10.

19 July 1838 in lat. 7° 0' 7" N., long. 12° 31' W., boarded the American schooner Mary Hooper of Philadelphia. There were suspicious circumstances and people on board regarding the Slave Trade, but since the vessel was sailing under the American flag no further action could be taken.

8 Aug 1838 arrived at Sierra Leone from the River Gambia. The commanding officer, Lieutenant Arthur Kellett, reports that whilst cruising they boarded the Portuguese schooner Senhora de Bon Viagem, supposedly bound from Havana to Porto Praya, but instead went to St. Thomas : it was also noted that her papers were signed by the US Consul in Havana, there being no Portuguese Consul or Agent.

15 Aug 1838 detained the Spanish slave brig Diligente, Miguel Sierra, master, of about 200 tons, in the Gallinas, 7° 3' N., 11° 46' W., being engaged in and equipped for the slave trade, which was sent to Sierra Leone for adjudication, arriving 23 Aug., and was condemned by the Mixed Court at Sierra Leone on 12 Oct 1838 for being engaged in the illicit traffic in slaves.

15 Aug 1838 seized the Spanish slave schooner Ligeira and cargo, sailing under a Portuguese flag, Antonio Silva, master, in the Gallinas, 7° 3' N., 11° 46' W., being engaged in and equipped for the slave trade, which was sent to Sierra Leone for adjudication, and was condemned by the British and Spanish Mixed Court at Sierra Leone on 12 Oct 1838 for being engaged in the illicit traffic in slaves.

24 Sep 1838 seized the Spanish slave schooner Eliza and cargo, Manoel Munhix, master, 5° 45' N., 10° 1' W., being engaged in and equipped for the slave trade, which was sent to Sierra Leone for adjudication, and was condemned by the Mixed Court at Sierra Leone on 12 Oct 1838 for being engaged in the illicit traffic in slaves.

30 Sep 1838 seized the Spanish slave schooner Constitução and cargo, Joachim da S. Pinto, master, 5° 45' N., 9° 53' W., being engaged in and equipped for the slave trade, which was sent to Sierra Leone for adjudication, and was condemned by the Mixed Court at Sierra Leone on 10 Nov 1838 for being engaged in the illicit traffic in slaves.

17 Oct 1838 detained in the River Gallinas the Spanish slave schooner Josefina / Josephina, alias, Ramoncito, alia Fausta, and cargo, Juan Gonsalvez, master, in 7° 3' N., 11° 46' W., being engaged in and equipped for the slave trade, which was sent to Sierra Leone for adjudication, and was condemned by the Mixed Court at Sierra Leone on 10 Nov 1838 for being engaged in the illicit traffic in slaves.

Lieutenant Kellett to Rear-Adm. Elliot.
Her Majesty's brig "Brisk," at Sea, 23d October, 1838.
Sir, I have the honour to call your attention to the case of the brig, "Diligente," condemned in the Spanish Mixed Commission Court, to Her Majesty's brig Brisk, under my command. This vessel was condemned at Sierra Leone, in December, 1836, as the "Pacquete de Cabo Verde," sold to a Mr. Lake, and transferred by bill of sale, of the 2nd of January, 1837, to Miguel Bertinotte (a Spanish slave-dealer at the Gallinas), for £1000. This notorious character arrived at Sierra Leone for the above purpose, and cleared out, under Spanish colours, for the Havana, in April, 1837. She then visited several ports in old Spain, and ultimately arrived at Cadiz on the 30th of September, .1837. It would appear, from a fictitious bill of sale, dated 2nd of January, 1837, at Cadiz, that the vessel was sold as the " Feroz Africano," to Gabriel Lopez, attorney to Francisco Cardozo de Mello, of Cape Verde Islands, who is the nominal owner of all Spanish vessels which, since the Treaty with Spain in 1835, have been transferred to the Portuguese flag.
It will appear, this vessel, after a sham bill of sale, received a passport from the Portuguese Consul-General at Cadiz, dated 5th January, 1837, and her name changed to the "Diligente," at the very time the vessel and owner were at Sierra Leone, and then only two days in his possession. It has appeared that the master and mate are on the roll dated 5th January, 1837, and the master's name in the passport of the same day : though, in evidence given before the Court of Mixed Commission, they swear they never saw the vessel until June, 1838. I beg leave to call your attention to the conduct of the Consul-General of Her Faithful Majesty, aiding and assisting in carrying on the Slave Trade, contrary to the solemn Treaty entered into by his Government. This most glaring case of fraud could not have been completed without the assistance or connivance of the authorities of Her Most Catholic Majesty at the port of Cadiz.
I beg leave also to call your attention to the case of the American schooner "Mary Hooper," Charles M. Bergstrand, master and owner, belonging to Philadelphia; she sailed from Havana the 28th May, 1838, for Port Praya, and consigned to a notorious slave-dealer at the Gallinas ; this vessel, when last boarded by the "Brisk," was lying off Trade Town, ready to take on board a cargo of slaves : this, I believe, is not the first instance in which the American flag has been made use of, for the purpose of screening offenders from Her Majesty's ships. If this case is successful, I fear the difficulties of Her Majesty's squadron, in suppressing the Slave Trade on this coast, will be multiplied ; as I feel confident we shall, in the succeeding season, have numerous vessels carrying on this abominable traffic in a similar manner, when it can be done with such impunity. I am satisfied she has also Portuguese papers, which the master partly admitted (when I first boarded her) he had received at Port Praya: did she, on her arrival in the West Indies, meet a United States vessel-of-war, she has Portuguese papers, and American for Her Majesty's ships ; which will in all probability be the means of her being successful. The Consul of the United States at the Havana has assisted in clearing this vessel out. I have, &c. (signed) A. Kellett, Lieutenant and Commander To Rear-Admiral the Hon. Geo. Elliot, C.B.

27 Oct 1838 detained the slave schooner Mary Ann Cassard and cargo, John Bacon, master, 8° 38' N., 13° 30' W., being engaged in and equipped for the slave trade, which was sent to Sierra Leone for adjudication, where she arrived on 29 Oct., but on 24 Nov 1838 following the Mixed Court at Sierra Leone declared itself incompetent to proceed in the adjudication of the case since the detained vessel had been captured while sailing under the flag and pass of the U.S.A. and was restored to her Master.

Lieutenant Kellett to Rear-Admiral Elliot.
Her Majesty's Brig "Brisk," at Sierra Leone, October 29th, 1838.
Sir, I Have the honour to inform you that, on the 27th instant, in lat. 8° 32' N., and long. 13° 30' W., I boarded and seized the schooner "Mary Ann Cassard," under American colours. I have to state, this vessel was lately sold by Gilbert Cassard of Baltimore, by power of attorney, to Messrs. Hernandez and Basden of Matanzas and received her cargo there ; when sold, the register of the vessel was cancelled; she had no American papers but the roll, which was signed by the United States Consul at Matanzas. The crew are composed of one British subject, the Master (who was formerly in Her Majesty's brigantine the "Lynx," on this coast, and was paid off in her) ; the remainder are all Spaniards. This vessel I have put into the Spanish Mixed Commission Court for adjudication, being clearly of opinion that she is Spanish property, fitted and equipped for the Slave Trade.
I have little doubt that, when at Bonavista, on her voyage to the coast, she received Portuguese papers ; she has also a Portuguese flag. I propose, when the examinations of the Master are taken, to lodge information against, and commit him for trial as a British subject engaged in the Slave Trade. I have on board the "Brisk" an armourer's mate who formerly served in the "Lynx," and was the messmate of the individual from fifteen to eighteen months.
I think, Sir, the case of this vessel will have this good result, that it will prove to the individuals carrying on the nefarious slave traffic, that fraud and deception will not always be successful. I propose proceeding to-day to the rivers to the northward, having received information that there are slave-vessels there. I have, &c. (Signed) Arthur Kellett, Lieut. Commander.

8 Nov 1838 seized the Spanish slave schooner Maria and cargo, Alberto M. Mideiros, master, 10° 18' N., 14° 30' W., being engaged in and equipped for the slave trade, which was sent to Sierra Leone for adjudication, and was condemned by the Mixed Court at Sierra Leone on 19 Nov 1838 for being engaged in the illicit traffic in slaves.

17 Nov 1838 seized the Spanish slave schooner Veloz and cargo, João Antonio Ribeiro, master, 7° 3' N., 11° 46' W., whilst en route for the River Gallinas. Being engaged in and equipped for the slave trade, the schooner was sent to Sierra Leone for adjudication, and was condemned by the Mixed Court at Sierra Leone on 24 Nov 1838 for being engaged in the illicit traffic in slaves.

18 Nov 1838 captured the Spanish slave brig O'Veterano and cargo, 110-120 tons, Carlos E. Sassetti, master, 7° 6' N., 13° 2' W.,which was sent to Sierra Leone to be adjudicated by the British and Spanish Mixed Court, who condemned the vessel on 11 Dec 1838. It is interesting to note that this vessel, under the name of Velox, was condemned at Sierra Leone by the British and Spanish Mixed Court and was sold, registered as a British vessel and on 14 Apr 1837 cleared out for London. She then appears to have been registered again de novo, took on a new cargo at London and Falmouth and sailed for Cadiz where she unloaded her cargo and continued her career as a slaver, having found a Spanish captain and crew, with a new set of forged papers being created for her in the official office of Machado, the Consul General. 3 Jan 1849 a reserved sum arising from the proceeds for this vessel due for payment.

Nov 1838 officers and crew of the Brisk involved in an attack on Portuguese slave factories on the island of Bulama, and the release of 200 slaves.

27 Nov 1838 at Sierra Leone, apart from reporting the capture of the O'Veterano, Lieut. Arthur Kellett mentions that since his recent visit to the River Nunez and Pongo several of the crew of the Brisk are suffering from fever and 2 have died and he hopes shortly to be able to sail for cooler climes, towards the Gambia and Cape Verde Islands.

9 Dec 1838 detained off Bulama the schooner Aurelia Feliz, Manoel de Jesus Silva, master, which was sent to the British and Portuguese Mixed Commission at Sierra Leone and on 13 Feb 1839 sentenced to be Restored to her Master with damages.

10 Dec 1838 at the slave Island of Bulama, released 212 slaves which were sent for adjudication to be formally emancipated. The proceeds arising due to be paid 3 Jan 1849.

Lieut. Kellett to Rear-Admiral Elliot.
Her Majesty's Brig Brisk, Sierra Leone, November 27th, 1838.
Sir, I have the honour to inform you, that in latitude 7° 6' north, and longitude 13° 2' west, I seized the brig "Veterano" under Portuguese colours, formerly the brig "Veloz," condemned at Sierra Leone, and sold to the House of Martinez and Co., at Cadiz, by Mr. White; and, like all Spanish vessels, with a mock bill of sale, to De Mello of Cape Verde Islands; her papers (like the "Diligente," reported by me some time ago) given by the Portuguese Consul at Cadiz, and cleared for the Havana, where she has received a full cargo for slave traffic, with the equipments, and a large quantity of casks, planks, and shackles for a slaving voyage. As in the case of the "Diligente," the authorities of Her Catholic Majesty must have assisted in this second case of fraud at the Port of Cadiz ; the description sent out by order of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, assisted in accomplishing this object. I have much pleasure in informing you, that seven vessels have been condemned in the Spanish Mixed Commission Court to Her Majesty's brig under my command. I have much regret in informing you, that since my visit to the Rivers Nunez and Pongo, several of the crew of Her Majesty's brig under my command, have been attacked with fever peculiar to those rivers, two of whom have died, and five remain at the hospital. I purpose (sic) sailing to-morrow, and, should any fresh case arise, I intend proceeding to the northward, and getting into cold weather between the Gambia and Cape Verde Islands, as soon as possible. I have, &c. (Signed) Arthur Kellett, Lieut. and Commander. To: Rear-Admiral the Hon. George Elliot, C.B.

28 Dec 1838 boarded the American slave schooner Traveller to examine her papers.

28 Dec 1838 Brisk and Bonetta detained the Portuguese slave schooner Violante, J. Marc, master, 20 miles south of the Sherbro, with 191 slaves on board, which was sent to British and Portuguese Court of Mixed Commission, Sierra Leone for adjudication, and was condemned on 10 Jan 1839. This vessel formerly sailed under the American flag as the Mary Anne Cassard and was previously arrested by the Brisk and as she was sailing under an American flag and pass had to be restored to her master.

9 Jan 1839 boarded the American slave schooner Traveller to examine her papers...again.

Per a report made to Parliament in 1842, during 1839, suffered 14 Deaths.

14 Apr 1839 detained in lat. 11° 40' N. long. 16° 0' W., in the Bissao Channel, bound to Villa da Praia, Cape Verde Islands, the Portuguese slave schooner Liberal, Manoel Jozé Pereira de Cunha, master, with 41 slaves on board, which arrived at Sierra Leone for adjudication on 22 Apr 1839 and and on 13 May 1839 sentenced to be condemned by the British and Portuguese Mixed Commission at that place.

Circa Apr 1839 is reported to have arrested a slaving vessel wearing American colours, which were probably provided by the American Consul at Havana who had attested the sale and granted American papers, as he did for the Eagle, arrested by the Lily. The Mixed Commission Court at Sierra Leone refused to take any action in view of her American papers, and the vessel was released accordingly, but other similar cases had been reported by the Lily, Saracen, Termagent, and Forester, and steps were taken to inform the Admiralty before the matter got out of hand and all slave ships flew the American flag and Her Majesty's cruisers off the Coast of West Africa were made redundant.

20 April 1839 it is reported at Portsmouth that the Brisk, serving on the West Coast of Africa, has been sickly, and had gone to the Cape de Verde to recruit the health of the officers and ship's company. Mr. White, the senior mate had died from fever, and Lieutenant Kellett had been dangerously ill, but had recovered, as had all others on board. She spoke with the Melville, 74, about the 10th of February, off St. Cape Paul, and on 19 March she spoke the African, R. Free master, from London, bound to Cape Mount ; and on the 13th of April, in lat. 48, 50, N. long. 22, 14, W., the Ocean, M. J. Slattery master, from Waterford, bound to Quebec.

14 Jun 1839 detained in lat. 4° 58' 8" S. long. 6° 56' 0" E., the Portuguese slave schooner Jacuhy, F. de P. N. d'Oliveira, master, with 207 slaves on board, which was sent for adjudication to the British and Brazilian Court of Mixed Commission, Sierra Leone, and on 18 Jul 1839 sentenced to be condemned.

29 Jun 1839 detained the Portuguese slave brig Matilde, Jozé Paulo das Neves, Captain of the Flag, in lat. 3° 7' S. long. 9° 50' E. off the River Congo, following a 12 hour chase, at the end of which the Spaniards fired into one of the ship's boats, as they attempted to board, wounding several British seamen, which case was sent for adjudication to the British and Spanish Mixed Court of Justice, Sierra Leone, and on 12 Aug 1839 sentenced to be condemned.

21 Feb 1840 detained the slave vessel Raimundo Primeiro, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at Sierra Leone and sentenced to be condemned.

21 Mar 1840 Lieutenant George Sprigg from the Melville, appointed to command the Brisk, vice Armitage.

25 Apr 1840 St. Helena, sailed for the coast of Africa.

10 Jun 1840 detained the slave vessel Dictador, 113 tons, which was sent to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St Helena for adjudication and was condemned accordingly. 17 Jan 1844 the proceeds arising due for payment.

12 Jun 1840 detained the slave vessel Coringa, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena and sentenced to be condemned. 17 Jan 1844 the proceeds arising due for payment.

15 Jun 1840 detained the slave vessel Andorinha, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena and sentenced to be condemned. 17 Jan 1844 the proceeds arising due for payment.

25 Sep 1840 detained a slave boat, Name Unknown, but supposed Cabenda, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena and sentenced to be condemned. 17 Jan 1844 the proceeds arising due for payment.

18 Nov 1840, arrived at the Cape of Good Hope, from St. Helena,

8 Jan 1841 the Brisk, Fantome and Waterwitch detained in lat. 8° 40' S. Long. 13° 0' E., whilst supposedly en route from St. Paul de Loando to Montevideo, the Brazilian slave brig Orozimho, M. J. Carvalho, master, which was sent for adjudication to the British and Brazilian Court of Mixed Commission, Sierra Leone, and on 6 Apr 1841 sentenced to be condemned.

17 Jan 1841 detained the slave vessel Luiza / Louisa, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena and sentenced to be condemned, but date not known. 27 Mar 1844 the proceeds arising due for payment.

17 Jan 1841 detained the slave vessel Legeria.

8 Feb 1841 detained the slave vessel Marciana / Mariana, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena and sentenced to be condemned. 27 Mar 1844 the proceeds arising due for payment.

24 Feb 1841 detained the slave vessel Oito Decembro, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena and sentenced to be condemned. 27 Mar 1844 the proceeds arising due for payment.

24 Feb 1841 detained the slave vessel Minerva, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena and sentenced to be condemned. 27 Mar 1844 the proceeds arising due for payment.

25 Mar 1841, sailed from St. Helena for the coast of Africa.

4 May 1841 detained 4 x slave launches.

18 Nov 1841 detained a slave schooner, Name Unknown, which was sent for adjudication to the Vice-Admiralty Court at St. Helena and sentenced to be condemned. 27 Mar 1844 the proceeds arising due for payment.

23 Nov 1841 detained the slave vessel Nereed.

2 Dec 1841 detained a slave schooner, Name Unknown.

17 Oct 1845-46 paid to the officers and crew £8 9s. 9d. expenses incurred in prosecuting in the High Court of Admiralty the vessels Legeria, Nereide, and name unknown.

20 Feb 1845-46 paid to the officers and crew £0 10s. 0d. on account of expenses incurred in prosecuting the vessels Legeria, Nereide, &c.