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Thetis | Official Number
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Thetis | Official Number
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The Thetis was a full-rigged ship of 290 tons burthen, built
by Mr.Brockbank at his shipyard at Lancaster, and launched on Saturday,
27th June 1801. She was built for Suart, Housman & co., merchants
of Lancaster, to operate in the West Indies trade. Her first master was
Capt.John Charnley, and it seems that he transferred to her from
another vessel named Thetis, a brig built at Lancaster in 1790.
That vessel arrived at Liverpool from Dominica in June, and
Capt.Charnley departed in his new ship from Lancaster to Dominica in
July (from shipping intelligence in the Lancaster Gazette, and the
Lancaster Shipping Register).
Her armament has been described as 12 six pounder and 2 four pounder guns (6) or 18 nine pounder guns (1) or 18 six pounder guns (9). In 1805 the Thetis achieved some fame in her home town, from her involvement in an engagement with the privateer Bonaparte off Barbados. The privateer was beaten off from an attack on the Thetis and two other English ships, and was so badly damaged that a Royal Navy sloop was able to seize her a few days later.
The Thetis, under the command of Capt.John Charnley and with a crew of either 30 (1) or 45 (9) , arrived at Cork in September 1804, intending to join a convoy bound for the West Indies (1). That convoy had already left, on the 1st September, 21 merchant ships under the protection of HBM frigate Princess Charlotte and HBM sloop Pheasant (7). Two other West Indiamen had also arrived at Cork too late, and the three ships agreed to sail together. Both the other ships belonged to Alderman Rowcroft – they were the Ceres (Capt.Daniel Bousfield, 372 tons, 18 guns, 36 men) and the Penelope (Capt.Robinson, 225 tons, 16 guns, 22 men). They left Cork together on the 6th October. The value of the three ships and their cargoes was estimated at £300,000. The small fleet had an uneventful passage of 33 days until, at position 13.26N, 57.30W, they were within a day of Barbados, on the 8th November (1).
Cruising off the island was a French privateer, the Bonaparte (or Buonaparte), commanded by Capt.Painpeny. She was pierced for 22 guns and carried 18 French long eighteen-pounders (8). She is described as ship-rigged (ie.three masts) in the first report of the engagement (1), but elsewhere as a brig (6, 8), the latter almost certainly correct. One account of the battle (1) reports her as having lost a mizzen mast, so perhaps she started ship-rigged and ended up as a brig !!
The Bonaparte had been causing “much mischief to our trade in the West Indies for some considerable time past “ (4) and was described as “one of the most formidable privateers that has ever infested those seas “ (5). On about the 3rd November she had captured a vessel belonging to Governor Maxwell of Barbados, and had subsequently sent in a challenge to the Governor, by the captain of an American merchantman, to send out a sloop of war to meet her (1). There were at least two Navy sloops at Bridgetown at this time, the Cyane and Alligator, and also the privateer Barbadoes, (a captured French privateer, formerly named La Braove). It appears that the challenge was not accepted.
The Bonaparte therefore was more heavily armed than any of the three English ships, but her principal advantage was in men. Her aim when she saw the Thetis, Ceres and Penelope would have been to engage and board them, using her overwhelming crew numbers to best advantage. In this way the ships and their cargoes would have been preserved, and a few of the Bonaparte’s crew would have been released to take their prizes into a French port whilst the privateer continued her cruise. Although the three English ships were referred to as Letters of Marque (6, 8), they were nevertheless merchantmen rather than privateers, and carried only small crews. Merchantmen at this time often carried a Letter of Marque, which legalised any appropriation of the property of an enemy nation, including ships and their cargoes, and avoiding the accusation of piracy.
The Naval Chronicle, Volume 13 (Jan.-June 1805), page 156:
" The following is a copy of the Captain's letter to
his owners:- Messrs.Suart, Heesman, and Co., Barbadoes, Nov.10, 1804.
Gentlemen, I arrived here, in company with the Ceres and Penelope,
last evening. On the 8th instant, at seven A.M. seeing a strange Sail and
a suspicious one (being Commodore) I made signal for an enemy, and to haul
our Wind on the larboard tack to meet her. At nine we met; she kept English
colours flying till after firing two broadsides. Seeing him attempt to
lay us alongside to leeward, thought it better to have him to windward,
so wore Ship on the other tack; he was then on our quarter, and lashed
himself to our mizen chains: the contest then became desperate for one
hour; they set us on fire twice on the quarter deck, with stink pots and
other combustibles, and made four very daring attempts to board, with at
least eighty men, out of their rigging, foretop, and bowsprit, but were
most boldly repulsed by every Man and Boy in the Ship. At the conclusion,
a double-headed shot, from our aftermost gun, carried away his foremast
by the board; that took away his bowsprit and main-top-gallant-mast. He
then thought it was time to cast us off. Not less than fifty Men fell with
the Wreck. We then hauled our Wind as well as we could, to knot, splice,
and repair our rigging for the time; which gave the other Ships an opportunity
to play upon the enemy; but being a little to leeward, had not so good
an effect. A short time afterwards, wore Ship for him again, with the other
Ships, and engaged him for about an hour more; but finding it impossible
to take him, owing to his number of Men, and no Surgeon to dress our wounded,
I thought it best to steer our course for this island.
Her name is the Buonaparte, of 20 9-pounders, and upwards of
200 Men. I had 18 6-pounders, and 45 Men, 19 never at Seas before, Boys
and Landsmen.
As to the behaviour of my whole Crew, to a Man they were steady, and
determined to defend the Ship whilst there was one left alive. I had two
men killed and nine wounded; their names are at foot.
On our arrrival Commodore Hood paid us every attention, sent the Surgeon
and Mate to dress the wounded, also Men to assist the Ship to anchor, and
gave me a written protection for my Crew.
I cannot conclude without mentioning the gallant and spririted conduct
of Mr.Dobbs, a Midshipman (Passenger with me), who acted a Captain of Marines,
and during the Action fought like a brave fellow, as well as exciting in
the minds of the Crew unconquerable zeal.
We are much shattered in out hull, sails, and rigging; it will take
us two days before we can be ready for Sea.
I remain in haste, Gentlemen, Your very obedient servant, John Charnley.
List of the killed and wounded:
Killed: Thomas Duncan, Seaman; James Donaldson, Landsman.
Dangerously wounded: James Knipe, Carpenter; William Kane, Seaman; John Dale, Seaman; Pat. Murman, Landman; Robert Newton, Apprentice.
Slightly wounded: Robert Lambert, Second Mate; John Bishop, half Seaman; James M'Donald, Seaman; Daniel M'Carty, Cook's Mate.
Another letter from Capt Charnley to his friend in Lancaster, dated Barbadoes, Nov.13, mentions that the wounded men were in a fair way of recovery, and all went into the Royal Hospital that day. He says "the Buonaparte Privateer is the completest Ship in these Seas. She made too certain of us. Freers, my first Mate, behaved most gallantly, and fought like a Lion; so did Lambert, my second Mate. Indeed, I cannot say enough for every Man and Boy in the Ship; the greatest part of them stripped and fought naked, and I am sure would have died sooner than have been carried. There was one hour's hard work, I assure you. I was near going frequently, as they fired several musket balls through my clothes.
The Barbadoes Mercury of November 10, gives a similar account to the above, under the head, "Defeat of Buonaparte, not the great !!! but Celebrated Privateer of Guadaloupe".
There are several contradictions between the various reports of the battle, and the first account received in England has many inconsistencies. It states that the Bonaparte, lying between the fleet and their destination, attacked the Ceres first, exchanging a broadside with her before the master of the Thetis " ran his ship, with great gallantry, between the Ceres and the privateer, and received the whole of her broadside " (1). Other accounts, including that of Capt.Painpeny, indicate that the Bonaparte attacked the Thetis directly, and this is probably correct. The following report, highly complimentary to Capt.Charnley and disparaging of the efforts of the two other English commanders, probably reflects other accounts published in Felix Farley's Bristol Journal and the Sun newspaper, referred to elsewhere." We have been favoured with the following extract of a letter from Barbadoes, dated. November 20, which relates some circumstances of the engagement which the Thetis, in company with two other armed vessels, had with the Bonaparte privateer; not yet made public, and which bears strong testimony to the gallant conduct of Captain Charnley and his crew, in beating off a ship of very superior force :- On the 8th instant, the Thetis, in company , with two other armed vessels which sailed from Cork in company together, met at half past eight A.M. a privateer, ship-rigged, which came alongside under English colours, and fired a broadside, and then hoisted French colours. The Thetis, being all prepared, returned the Frenchman's salute; and the enemy, in a most masterly and courageous manner, wore ship, and laid the Thetis on her starboard quarter keeping up an incessant fire for three hours, when the foremast and bowsprit went by the board. The enemy attempted boarding twice, but were boldly repulsed. The other two armed-vessels had no share in the action, keeping aloof during its continuance. Commodore Hood sent the Alligator frigate in pursuit of the privateer. She is called the Bonaparte, of 18 guns and 140 men. Captain Charnley made his crew a very handsome present of £10 a man, and £200 for their bravery. Commodore Hood gave them a protection for the voyage; and impressed the crews of the other two armed vessels." (2)The first report (1) had stated that the Ceres received the first broadside from the privateer, numbered Capt.Charnley's crew as only 30, gave the number of men on the privateer as 250, stated that she had lost her bowsprit, foremast and mizzen-mast, and that the privateer Barbados had been sent in pursuit of the Bonaparte by the Governor of Barbados (also in 3). No mention was made of the allegation that the Ceres and Penelope had avoided the battle, or the impressment of their crews.
Letters from Capt.Bousfield and Capt.Robinson appeared in the Times on the 12th January. The letters were preceded by an introduction pledging the authenticity of the accounts, and claiming them to be “the best reply to the insinuations thrown out in the Sun, of Wednesday last, that all the ships which took part in that engagement had not done their duty”. The Times rubbished the account published by the Sun, on the grounds that it was based on a letter “purported to have been written on the 20th November, from Barbadoes, when it is well known that no later intelligence than of the 14th, has reached this country from that island.” (4) Clearly the Times had forgotten their own report based on a letter dated the 20th November (2), printed two days earlier ! Perhaps the influence of Thomas Rowcroft, Alderman of London and influential shipowner and merchant, can be seen here – the letters from the masters of his ships must have been addressed to him, and both his and their reputations must have been diminished by allegations made against them. Who would want to ship their goods with a ship-owner who had not vigorously protected his cargo, or whose crews were being pressed into the Navy?
Capt.Robinson’s letter tells that the Penelope had had ten of her guns dismounted, and one man killed (a Mr.Lindo, whose wife was also aboard). Capt.Boulsfield reported that the Ceres had suffered two men burnt from an exploded cartridge, but none killed, nor anybody wounded by gunfire (although “the small shot and grape came on board us like hail ”) (4). Capt.Painpeny later wrote that it was the Ceres that dismasted his vessel. It is impossible to reconcile these accounts with the earlier report that these two ships “had no share in the action, keeping aloof during its continuance”. Both masters agreed that the action lasted about three hours, and that the privateer lost both bowsprit and foremast during the attempt to board the Thetis. Capt.Robinson reported that the Thetis had suffered two men killed and five wounded (4).
It seems therefore that the Thetis was close alongside the Bonaparte, since she had to repel boarders, but that the Ceres and Penelope did engage, possibly later and at greater distance than Capt.Charnley would have wished. After about two hours the Bonaparte lost her foremast and bowsprit and veered away, being pursued by the English ships for another hour. This running battle, in which “great slaughter” was visited on the French vessel (1)ended at half-past mid-day. The Bonaparte then lay to and prepared to defend herself. The English ships, being inferior in the number of men, did not attempt to press the attack further. They sailed away, arriving at Barbados the following day and reported the attack to the Governor (1).
The Bonaparte tried to make Guadeloupe for repairs. She was found off the island of Marie-Galante by HBM sloop Cyane at 3 a.m. on the morning of the 11th November. Capt.Cadogan's report records that she was in a very shattered condition, without topmasts, foremast or bowsprit, and had 140 men aboard. The action was brief, lasting only thirty minutes before the privateer capitulated. She was taken into Antigua (3, 8).
Capt.Bousfield took further steps to redeem his reputation, publishing a testimonial from the master of the Bonaparte, first in a Barbados newspaper, then in the Times after he had returned to England (6).
The Times, Wednesday, 1st May 1805, page 4;
" Sir, Having arrived in England from
Demarara only a few days ago, I have not been afforded an earlier opportunity
of noticing the unjust, unprovoked, and absurd representations of the Master
of the ship Thetis, of Lancaster, which have been published so repeatedly,
respecting the action of the 8th of November last, off Barbadoes, with
the Bonaparte privateer, and the Ceres, Thetis, and
Penelope,
which, in justice to the commanders and crews of the other two ships, require
to be refuted. I am happy in having brought with me a letter from Barbadoes,
which I received from the Commander of the Bonaparte privateer,
which was afterwards captured and carried into Barbadoes.
I am, Sir, your's &c.
Daniel Bousfield
Commander of the Ship Ceres
Lloyd's Coffee-House, April 27.
Translation from the Barbadoes Mercury
of Dec.8, 1804, with the Editor's comments thereon.
As there appears to have been some misrepresentation
of the late action of the ships Thetis, Ceres, and Penelope,
with the French privateer brig Bonaparte, the following letter will
remove whatever unfavourable impression may have been made towards the
Masters of the Ceres and Penelope, who, it is now established,
equally shared with the Master of the Thetis in the honour of the
contest with the enemy; and evinces, on the part of the Captain of the
Bonaparte,
a liberal, brave, and generous mind :-
Bridge-Town, Barbadoes, Dec.5, 1804.
"Capt.Painpeny, late Commander of the French brig
the Bonaparte, to Capt.Daniel Bousfield, Commander of the English
ship, the Ceres.
"Sir, - I have been astonished at the account
given against you, of the engagement we had together : the manner in which
you conducted yourself obliges me, upon my honour, to inform the public
of the facts. On my arrival here, I was surprised to find that the Captain
of the Thetis took to himself all the merit of having fought with
me. It is true that, during the height of the action, he was the nearest
ship to me, but that was from necessity, as it was him that I attacked
first, and which I did because I saw that he was the best armed of the
three : he commenced the fire, which was soon followed up by you and the
other Letter of Marque. The courage you have all three shown, cannot be
too much admired. Your manoeuvres convince me that they were the result
of reflection and experience; and the national character which you have
manifested, certainly merits the eulogium of the public.
"You fire was tremendous for me, and I can with
truth affirm, that it was you who did me most damage, and who dismasted
my vessel, which was the reason that I was unable to capture the Thetis.
A single ship then has not all the honour of the fight, but certainly all
three. In short, Sir, I thank the accident that has procured me the pleasure
of your acquaintance, and to express the satisfaction that I feel in my
heart on writing this letter. I leave you full liberty to make it public
among your countrymen. In proving my particular esteem for your person,
it will no doubt, at the same time, insure you the public approbation,
and preseve you from those malicious tongues who shall dare attack your
respectable character.
"I have the honour to be, with consideration and
esteem, Sir, your obedient servant,
(Signed) "Painpeny".(6)
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