Office of the Historian

No. 285.
Sir Edward Thornton to Mr. Fish

Washington, March 5, 1875. (Received March 6.)

Sir: In obedience to instructions from the Earl of Derby, I have the honor to inclose to you a copy of a list of Her Majesty’s ships which are provided with warrants for the suppression of the slave-trade, together with the number of their guns, the names of their commanders, and the stations on which they are severally employed.

I have, &c.,

EDW’D THORNTON.
[Page 655]
[Inclosure.]

List of British ships employed in the suppression of the slave-trade.

cape of good hope and west africa station.

Ships. Name and rank of commanding officer. Number of guns.
Spiteful Commander B. Medlycott 6
Merlin Lieutenant Woollaston C. Rarslake 4
Decoy* Lieutenant John Hayes 4
Ariel Lieutenant Oxford Churchill 4
Foam Lieutenant Henry C. Walker 4

north american and west india station.

Niobe* Commander David Boyle
Spartan Captain Richard Carter 8
Dovist† Captain W. H. Edge 24
Druid Captain Arthur G. R. Roe 10
Bullfinch Commander R. N. Lloyd 3
Decoy‡ Lieutenant John Hayes 4
Argus Commander E. I. Jermain 5
Dryad Commander Compton Dimcols 9

east india station.

Magpie Commander Henry Salmond 3
Thetis Commander T. I. H. Ward 13
Rifleman Commander Stratford Take 4
London* Captain George L. Sulivan 2
Flying Fish Commander N. F. Crohan 4
  1. This ship has gone to the North American and West India station.↩
  2. Lost.↩
  3. This ship was recalled from the North American station, and the warranty was not issued to her.↩
  4. Transferred from the Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa station.↩
  5. Stationed at Zanzibar.↩