HMS Pomone was a Fifth Rate, 18pdr-armed, 38-gun Frigate of the Leda Class, built under Navy Board contract by Thomas and Josiah Brindley at the Quarry House shipyard in Frindsbury, on the West Bank of the River Medway.
The Quarry House shipyard was the largest commercial shipyard on the River Medway and stood roughly on a site where the river turns towards Chatham half a mile downstream from the bridge at Rochester. The most famous ships built at the Quarry House Yard were HMS Bellerophon (74), the ship on which Napoleon Buonaparte surrendered after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and HMS Shannon, another Leda Class ship. HMS Shannon became famous because of an action off Boston in 1813 when she defeated one of the much-vaunted American Frigates, USS Chesapeake, in open combat in a fight which lasted all of 11 minutes during the 1812 War.
The Leda Class was a group of 47 large sailing Frigates designed by Sir John Henslow, co-Surveyor of the Navy, two of which survive to the present day. They were based on the design of the ex-French Frigate HMS Hebe, captured in 1782. The Leda Class frigates were ordered in six batches between 1796 and 1817. The first batch was comprised of just HMS Leda, while the second batch comprised eight ships ordered between 1802 and 1809 and included HMS Pomone. The third batch of eight ships was ordered in 1812 and were to be fir-built. Of the seven vessels which made up the fourth batch, ordered at the same time, two were ordered from the Honourable East India Company's Bombay shipyard and were teak-built. One of those vessels, HMS Trincomalee, has survived to the present day. The rest of the fourth batch were oak-built in the UK. A fifth batch of six vessels was ordered in 1816, but they differed from previous ships in that they incorporated Sir Thomas Sepping's modifications to the design with a round stern and internal diagonal riders fitted between the frames. The sixth and final batch was to have comprised 23 ships ordered to the same design as the fifth batch and was ordered in 1817, but the final six ships were cancelled. HMS Unicorn, the other surviving Leda Class ship and the second-oldest remaining Chatham-built vessel is currently preserved in Dundee and was ordered as part of this batch.
The contract for the construction of HMS Pomone was signed on the 25th November 1802, at a time when an uneasy peace existed between Britain and France. In what is now known as the French Revolutionary War, Britain and an ever-changing coalition of allies had fought France and her also ever-changing coalition of allies, to a standstill in nine years of war. The British had defeated France at sea and that had made a series of victories overseas possible. On the European mainland however, it was a different story and France and her allies had overall, been successful in backing the British into a corner. Both sides had unwillingly made concessions in order to bring the war to an end. Despite the hope which came with the politicians promises of an everlasting peace, the squabbles and bickering had started almost as soon as the ink was dry on the Treaty of Amiens.
Once the contract was signed, the Navy Board made an up-front payment of about a third of the agreed price for the ship allowing the builder to hire the tradesmen and to buy the materiels needed to build the ship. The first keel section of HMS Pomone was laid at Frindsbury during December of 1803, by which time the Peace of Amiens had collapsed and the nation was at war once more. As the contruction project proceeded, the Navy Board would send overseers into the shipyard to inspect both the workmanship and the materiels to ensure that no corners were being cut and that the project was proceeding on time and on budget. Further payments were made as the project hit defined milestones, with penalties to be deducted from the final price if the overseers were not satisfied with any aspect of the project or if the ship was delivered late or over budget. Because the shipyard was only about a mile upstream from the great Royal Dockyard at Chatham, the Dockyard's Coppersmiths fabricated the copper sheathing for the lower hull and this was fitted to the ship in situ at Frindsbury, thus saving the Navy Board time and money because the hull wouldn't need dry-docking at Chatham to be coppered after launch.
Finally, on the 17th January 1805, HMS Pomone was launched with all due ceremony into the River Medway in the presence of the Resident Commissioner in the Dockyard as a member of the Navy Board as well as the families of the men who had built the ship.
Once the ship was in the water, she was towed downstream to the Royal Dockyard at Chatham and was secured to a mooring buoy in the river. The Sheer Hulk was brought alongside and the ship was fitted with her guns, masts and rigging in addition to being loaded with her many tons of stores.
In February of 1805, HMS Pomone commissioned under Captain William Granville Lobb. Captain Lobb was the son of an American Loyalist who had fled with his family to the UK at the end of the American War of Independence. He had passed his Examination for Lieutenant on the 27th December 1777. He had first held a command as Master and Commander in the Sloop of War HMS Falcon (brig-rigged, 4pdr-armed, 10 guns) from the 24th October 1794 and was Posted or promoted to Captain on the 1st September 1795 when he was appointed to command the ex-French Sixth Rate Post-Ship HMS Babet of 20 guns. His appointment prior to HMS Pomone had been in command of the Fourth Rate ship of the line HMS Isis of 50 guns.
HMS Pomone was declared complete at Chatham on the 29th March 1805. On completion, HMS Pomone was a ship of 1,076 tons. She was 150ft 2.5in long at her gundeck and 125ft 4in along the keel. She was 40ft 2in wide across her beams, drew 10ft 1in of water at her bows and 14ft 6in at the rudder. HMS Pomone was armed with 28 x 18pdr long guns on her gundeck with 2 x 9pdr long guns and 2 x 32pdr carronades on her forecastle with 8 x 9pdr long guns and 6 x 32pdr carronades on her quarterdeck. In addition to the main guns, she also carried a dozen half-pounder anti-personnel swivel guns attached to her quarterdeck and forecastle bulwarks and handrails and in her fighting tops.
Leda Class PlansOrlop Plan:
Berth or Lower Deck Plan:
Gundeck Plan:
Quarterdeck and Forecastle Plans:
Frame Plan:
Inboard Profile and Plan:
Sheer Plan and Lines:
Sail Plan:
HMS Trincomalee afloat and on display to the public at Hartlepool. Port Broadside View. HMS Pomone was identical:
Port Quarter View:
Port Bow View:
Captain Lobb would have been assisted in commissioning and preparing HMS Pomone for sea by the three Lieutenants appointed by the Admiralty and the Warrant Officers including the Standing Officers appointed by the Navy Board. The Lieutenants were ranked in order of seniority, based on the dates on which they had passed their Examinations. The Standing Officers were the men who would remain with the ship whether or not she was in commission and who were the ship's main artificers. They were:
The Carpenter - He was a fully qualified shipwright, usually appointed from amongst the men who had built the ship. He answered to the First Lieutenant and was responsible for the repair and maintenance of the hull, frames and decks. In a 38-gun Fifth Rate Frigate, he would be assisted by a single Carpenters Mate and would have a dedicated Carpenters Crew of five men.
The Boatswain - He was an experienced seaman who had worked his way up through the ranks. He also answered to the First Lieutenant and was responsible for the maintenance, operation and repair of the ship's boats as well as her masts and rigging. He was assisted in this when the ship was in commission by a single Boatswains Mate. Amongst the duties of the Boatswains Mate was the administering of any floggings ordered by the Captain.
The Gunner - He was another man who had worked his way up through the ranks of seamen. He also answered to the First Lieutenant and was responsible for the repair, maintenance and operation of the ship's main guns. Also amongst his responsibilities was the training of gun crews and training Midshipmen-in-Ordinary in the arts of gunnery. In action, he was responsible for the distribution of gunpowder and shot and would be stationed in the magazine. He was assisted when the ship was in commission by a single Gunners Mate and eight Quarter-Gunners, each of whom was a Petty Officer responsible for four gun crews.
The Purser - He reported directly to the Captain and was thus entitled to a berth in the Wardroom with the commissioned officers. He was responsible for the purchase and distribution of the ship's provisions and stores.
The Cook - The least senior of the Standing Officers, he was usually a disabled former seaman. His job title is self-explanatory. He was also in overall charge of the ship's complement of servants.
In addition to the Standing Officers, the other Senior Warrant Officers appointed by the Navy Board, who would only be in the ship when she was in commission were:
The Sailing Master - He was responsible for the day-to-day sailing and navigation of the ship. If not employed by the Royal Navy, he was qualified to command a merchant vessel. He answered directly to the Captain and in addition to directing the sailing and navigation of the ship, he was also responsible for training Midshipmen-in-Ordinary in the arts of sailing and navigation and the stowage of the stores in the hold to ensure the ship had the optimum trim for sailing and manoeuvring. As a Senior Warrant Officer, qualified to command in his own right and reporting directly to the Captain, he was entitled to a berth in the Wardroom with the commissioned sea-officers. In a 38-gun Fifth Rate Frigate like HMS Pomone, he was assisted by two Masters Mates, each of whom was qualified to serve as a Mate in the Merchant Service when not employed by the Royal Navy. In addition to the Masters Mates, there were also three Quartermasters with three Quartermasters Mates responsible for the actual steering of the ship.
The Surgeon - Another man who reported directly to the Captain and entitled to a berth in the Wardroom, he was responsible for the day to day healthcare of the whole crew from the Captain downwards. Although not a doctor as such, a ship's surgeon had to serve and pass a seven-year apprenticeship which was overseen by the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians before he would be allowed to practice unsupervised. He was assisted by an Assistant Surgeon, who was himself a part-qualified Surgeon.
The rest of the Warrant Officers and senior Petty Officers were appointed by the Captain on the recommendation of the First Lieutenant having first applied for the posts and presented their credentials. Included amongst these were:
The Master at Arms - Responsible to the First Lieutenant, he was in effect, the ship's policeman, responsible for the day-to-day enforcement of discipline amongst the crew. In a 38-gun Fifth Rate Frigate like HMS Pomone, he was assisted by two Ship's Corporals.
The Armourer - Answerable to the Gunner, he was a fully qualified blacksmith and was responsible for the maintenance and repair of the ships stocks of small arms and bladed weapons. He could also manufacture new bladed weapons as required. On a 38-gun Fifth Rate frigate, he was assisted by a single Armourers Mate.
The Sailmaker - Answerable to the Boatswain, he was responsible for the repair and maintenance of the ships sails, the storage of spare sails as well as the ships stocks of flags. He was assisted by a single Sailmakers Mate with a dedicated crew of one man.
The Caulker - Answerable to the Carpenter he was responsible for making sure the ship's hull and decks remained watertight. He was assisted by seamen as directed by the First Lieutenant.
The Chaplain - An ordained Church of England priest, he was responsible for the spiritual well-being of the crew. He was answerable to the Captain. In action, the Chaplain would assist the Surgeons crew with the care of wounded men. In deference to his ordained status, he was entitled to a berth in the Wardroom with the Commissioned Officers.
The Schoolmaster - Answerable to the First Lieutenant, he was responsible for teaching the Midshipmen in Ordinary the theory and mathematics behind navigation. With the Captains agreement, he also taught the ship's Boys the basic '3rs'. Before he would be able to serve in this position, the Schoolmaster would have had to sit and pass an Examination at Trinity House.
The Clerk - Answerable to the Purser, he was responsible for all the record keeping aboard the ship and making sure that the ships books were sent to the Admiralty.
The ship had a complement of six Midshipmen. These young men were in effect, commanders in training and their job was to assist the ships Lieutenants in their day to day duties. Only the most senior of the ship's Midshipmen had a specific job, in charge of signals. The Midshipmen were appointed into the ship by the local Commander-in-Chief when she commissioned. In addition to the Midshipmen, there were Midshipmen-in-Ordinary, also known as Quarterdeck Boys. These young men, at the beginning of their careers as officers in the Royal Navy, were officers in training and they wore the uniform and performed the role of a Midshipman. They were usually related to the Captain, one of his friends or somebody the Captain either owed a favour to or was doing a favour for. They were on the ship's books as Captains Servants and were paid at the same rate as an Able Seaman. In a ship like HMS Pomone with a crew of 280, the Captain would be entitled to have up to eight servants or four per rounded hundred of her Company. Unless the Captain was particularly extravagant, he wouldn't require anything like this number of servants, so the remaining positions on the ship's books were taken up with the Midshipmen-in-Ordinary.
In any case, the Captain would come aboard with his own staff of his Clerk or secretary, his Steward and his Coxswain. The Captains Coxswain was a Petty Officer and his role was to act as the Captain's personal bodyguard and to act as his eyes and ears on the Lower Deck. The Coxswain would usually choose a Coxswains Mate from amongst the Able Seamen in the ship. These men would follow the Captain from appointment to appointment.
In addition to these men, HMS Pomone's crew would have been made up of Petty Officers in charge of specific areas of the ship or specific tasks to be carried out by the seamen. The seamen themselves would have been rated according to their experience at sea, Able Seamen with years of sea-going experience and able to carry out any task without supervision, Ordinary Seamen with some experience and who would require a degree of supervision and Landsmen with none. Landsmen were the unskilled labourers in the ship and were regarded by everyone else as being the lowest form of life aboard, until they had proved themselves. The ship's complement of boys would be rated in the same way and were employed in a number of roles. They were usually to be found as servants, for the Wardroom and for those Warrant Officers entitled to have servants. In action, they would be employed as Powder Monkeys, carrying gunpowder cartridges from the magazine to the Gun Captains. When weighing anchor, they worked in the Cable Tier, securing the great anchor cable to the bridle wrapped around the capstan with small pieces of rope known as 'Nips', in order that the Capstan Crew could haul in many tons and many fathoms of heavy, waterlogged anchor cable. This is the origin of the term used to describe a small child - a 'Nipper'.
In addition to the seamen, HMS Pomone carried a complement of Marines. In a 38-gun Fifth Rate frigate, there was a Lieutenant of Marines in command, assisted by a Sergeant, a Corporal, a Drummer and 30 Marine Privates. These men would have come aboard as a pre-existing unit and were accommodated in a screened-off portion of the lower deck known as the Marine Barracks. The sole commissioned Marine officer was entitled to a berth in the Wardroom, while the Non-Commissioned Officers held the same status amongst the Ship's Company as Petty Officers.
The ship commissioned into the Channel Fleet and was tasked with patrolling the English Channel, shutting down French shipping and enforcing the blockade. On the 6th May 1805, HMS Pomone captured the smuggling vessel Fortune in the English Channel, for which prize money was paid aboard and then on demand at No.12 Upper Thames Street, London, every day for the following three months.
On December 3rd 1805, Captain Lobb wrote from Lisbon to Mr William Marsden at the Admiralty:
I Have the Honor to acquaint you, for the Information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the Boats of His Majesty's Ship under my Command, boarded on the 5th of November, close in with Guardia, the Golondrina Spanish Lugger Privateer, of Four Guns and Twenty-nine Men, belonging to Corunna. She had been out Six Weeks, and not made any Captures; the Enemy had Two Men wounded, and the Vessel I set Fire to.
You will be pleased to communicate the enclosed also to their Lordships, and
I have the Honor to be, &c.
W. G. LOBB. On 10th February 1806, Captain Lobb wrote once more to Mr Marsden, again from off Lisbon:
SIR,
I have the Honor to acquaint you, for the Information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the Boats of His Majesty's Ship under my Command captured, off Lisbon, the 25th ultimo, El Bengador Spanish Lugger privateer, with One Gun, and Twenty-eight Men; she had Been Six Weeks from Bayonna.
The Maid of the Mill, William Dearing, Master, From Newfoundland, was retaken at the same Time, the only Capture the Lugger had made.
I sent her to Lisbon, the Port she was bound to, and the Privateer was destroyed.
You will be pleased to communicate the inclosed to their Lordships.
I have the.Honor, to be, &c
.
W. G. LOBB.In May of 1806, Captain Lobb was appointed to command the Third Rate ship of the line HMS Captain (74). His replacement in HMS Pomone was Captain Robert Barrie. The Florida-born Robert Barrie was the son of an Army Surgeon and his mother was the sister of Admiral Lord Gardner. Educated in England, Robert Barrie had entered the Royal Navy as Midshipman in Ordinary aboard HMS Europa (50) at the age of 13 in 1787. By 1791, Mr Barrie was a Midshipman and participated in George Vancouver's voyage of exploration in the Pacific Ocean aboard the survey ship HMS Discovery between 1791 and 1795, finishing the voyage as Acting-Lieutenant. He passed his Examination for Lieutenant on the 5th November 1795 and was appointed Lieutenant in the Second Rate ship of the line HMS Queen, flagship to his uncle, Admiral Gardner. He first held a command appointment when he was appointed Master and Commander in the 6pdr-armed ship-rigged Sloop of War HMS Calypso on the 23rd October 1801. He was first Posted or promoted to Captain on the 29th April 1802 and was appointed to command a unit of the Irish Sea Fencibles. He didn't hold a sea-going command appointment until October of 1804 when he was put in command of the old 9pdr-armed 28-gun Sixth Rate Frigate HMS Brilliant. In an age where Naval Officers were the rock stars of their day, Barrie certainly saw his share of trouble. Whilst ashore in London, he and an old Discovery shipmate Captain Lord Camelford had spent a night in prison and had had to pay compensation to some nightwatchmen they had drunkenly attacked and brawled with. In April 1803, he had been Second to Captain Thomas MacNamara in a duel against Colonel Robert Montgomery in which the Army officer had been mortally wounded.
Once Captain Barrie had settled in, it was back to duties in the English Channel for HMS Pomone and her crew. On the 20th February 1807, HMS Pomone was in company when HMS Penelope (18pdr, 36) captured the Spanish vessel San Josef Y Animas. By agreement between the Captains, prize money was shared amongst the two ship's companies and was paid aboard at Plymouth on 30th December 1807 and on demand every Tuesday and Saturday for three months afterwards at No.67 Fore Street, Plymouth.
By June of 1807, HMS Pomone was part of the Inshore Squadron of the Channel Fleet commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Strachan, flying his command flag in HMS Caesar (80). On June 6th, Captain Barrie wrote to Sir Richard Strachan:
Pomone,
June 6, 1807
SIR,
I have the Honour to acquaint you, that Yesterday, when working up to Windward, in order to gain the station you had pointed out to me by Signal, at about half-past Seven o'Clock A.M. Three Vessels were reported from the Mast-Head, bearing N. E.; these we soon made out to be armed Vessels (Brigs). As the Distance of the Squadron rendered it impossible for me to communicate this Circumstance to you, I took upon myself to give chace to these Brigs, conceiving it my Duty to do so, as I thought I could cut them off before they could get into the Sables d'Olonne.
As we approached the Shore, a Convoy was observed under Escort of the Brigs. At about Nine o'Clock we got within Random-Shot of One of the Brigs, when the Breeze unfortunately failed us, and I had the Mortification to observe that we should not be able (in the Ship) to cut off the Brigs, especially as we were obliged to make a Tack to clear the Barges, which were only about Two Cables Length from us. Some of our Shot reached the Convoy, Two of which (supposed to be Naval Transports) ran on Shore ; a Third (a Brig) was deserted by her Crew ; I therefore dispatched Lieutenant Jones, in the Six-oared Cutter, to take Possession of the deserted Brig, and of any others of the Convoy that were not close to the Shore This Service Lieutenant Jones performed with great Judgment and Gallantry, and fortunately without Loss, though the Grape from the Shore and Gun-Brigs passed through and through his Boat.
One of the Gun Brigs making a Show of pulling out with her Sweeps, I sent Lieutenant J. VV. Gabriel, First of this Ship, with Three Boats, to meet him; but as the Brig retreated under the Protection of the Batteries on Shore, and also within Musket-Shot of the numerous Soldiery which lined the Beach, I would not allow my gallant Friend to make the Attack under such great Disadvantage, but directed him to proceed with the Boats towards St. Gilles's, where several Vessels were observed nearly becalmed. At about half-past Eleven o'Clock the Boats got up with the Easternmost Brig, and by half-past Two they were all (Fourteen in Number) in our Possession except One, which drove on Shore and was lost.
The Crews of the Enemy's Vessels took to their Boats, but I saw as the Sea ran very high, some of them were drowned in attempting to land. Had the Breeze fortunately continued, I have no Doubt but we should have taken and destroyed the whole Convoy, which, exclusive of the Gun-Brigs, appears to consist of about Twenty-seven Sail of Brigs, Sloops, and Chasse Marees.
I have the Pleasure to add, that theOfficers and Seamen employed on this Service, performed it to my Satisfaction and to their own Credit.
Inclosed is a List of the Vessels taken and destroyed, with their Cargoes, &c.
I have the Honour to be, &c.
ROBERT BARRIE
French Lugger La Marie, from Bourdeaux bound to Brest, laden with Wine and Brandy ; cut out of the Harbour of Oyle, Isle Rhe, by the Boats of the Pomone and Hazard, May 7, 1807, and destroyed.
A French Lugger, Name unknown, bound to Brest, laden with Canvas and Sundries; cut out of the same Harbour, by the Boats of the same Ships, the fame Date, and funk by the Enemy's Shot after in our Possession.
A French Lugger, Name unknown from Bourdeaux bound to Brest, laden with Wine ; cut out of the fame Harbour, by the Boats of the same Ships, the same Date, and destroyed.
A French Lugger, Name unknown, from Bourdeaux bound to Brest, laden with Wine ; cut out of the fame Harbour, by the Boats of the same Ships, the same Date, and destroyed.
A French Brig, Name unknown, from Nantz, laden with Provisions and Wheat; cut out from St. Gilles by the Boats of the Pomone, June 5, 1807, and sent to Plymouth.
A French Brig, Name unknown, from Nantz, laden with Provisions and Wheat; cut out from the same Place, by the boats of the same Ship, the same Date, and sent to Plymouth.
A French Brig, Name unknown, from Nantz, laden with Flour ; cut out from the same Place, by the Boats of the same Ship, the same Date, and sent to Plymouth.
A French Brig, Name unknown, from Nantz, laden with Flour, Wheat, and Iron ; cut out from the same Place, by the Boats of the same Ship, the same Date, and sent to Plymouth.
A French Brig, Name unknown, from Nantz, laden with Flour and Wheat; cut out from les Sables d'Olonne, by the Boats of the Pomone, June 5, 1807, and sent to Plymouth.
A French Dogger, with an Anchor, from Nantz supposed bound to Rochfort, laden with large Oak Timber; cut out from the same Place, by the Boats of the same Ship, the same Date, and sent to Plymouth.
A French Brig, Name unknown, from Nantz, laden with Flour, Wheat, and Iron ; cut out from St. Gilles, by the Boats of the Pomone, June 5, 1807, and sent to Plymouth.
A French Brig; Name unknown, from Nantz, laden with Flour and Wheat ; cut out from the same Place, by the Boats of the same Ship, the same Date, and sent to Plymouth.
A French Sloop, Name unknown, from Nantz, laden with Flour and Wheat ; cut out from the same Place, by the Boats of the same Ship, the same Date, and sent to Plymouth.
A French Sloop, Name unknown, from Nantz, laden with Flour and Wheat; cut out from the same Place, by the Boats of the same Ship, the same Date, and sent to Plymouth.
A French Sloop, Name unknown, from Nantz, laden with Flour and Wheat; cut out from the same Place, by the Boats of the same Ship, the same Date, and sent to Plymouth.
A French Sloop, Name unknown, from Nantz, laden with Flour and Wheat; cut out from the same Place, by the Boats of the same Ship, the same Date, and sent to Plymouth.
A French Sloop, Name unknown, from Nantz, laden with Flour and Wheat ; cut out from the same Place, by the Boats of the seme Ship, the same Date, and sent to Plymouth.
A French Chasse Maree, Name unknown, from Nantz, laden with Flour and Wheat ; cut out from the same Place, by the Boats of the same Ship, the same Date, and sent to Plymouth.
A French Brig, Name unknown, from Nantz supposed bound to Rochfort, supposed laden with Naval Stores ; ran on Shore and was bilged on the Rocks near the Sables d'Olonne, June 5, 1807.
A French Brig, Name unknown, from Nantz supposed bound to Rochfort, supposed laden with Naval Stores ; ran on Shore and was bilged on the Rocks near the Sables d'Olonne, the same Date.
A French Schooner, Name unknown, from Nantz supposed bound to Rochfort, laden with Wheat ; ran on Shore and was bilged near St. Gilles, the seme Date.
ROB. BARRIE,
Captain.
Memorandum.—The Brig Mr. Cave Gregory was in was run down by the Spartiate, in the Night of the 6th Inst, and lost, all the Crew saved.In company with HMS Pomone was the 6pdr-armed ship-rigged Sloop of War HMS Hazard (16).
Rear-Admiral Strachan forwarded the letter and the enclosed list to Admiral Gardner, Commander in Chief Channel Fleet who in turn forwarded it to the Admiralty. Prize money was distributed amongst the whole squadron which in addition to Sir Richard Strachan's flagship HMS Caesar, also comprised HMS Renown, the ex-French HMS Donegal, HMS Mars and HMS Audacious (all of 74 guns).
On the 25th September 1807, HMS Pomone in company with the ex-French 32pdr carronade-armed Frigate HMS Revolutionaire (36) recaptured the Danish vessel Resolution.
On the 27th March 1808, HMS Pomone recaptured the Susannah, for which salvage was paid to the ship's company.
In October of 1808, HMS Pomone departed Plymouth with a convoy bound for Malta and on arrival, Captain Barrie was under instructions to place himself under the orders of Vice-Admiral Lord Collingwood, Commander in Chief in the Mediterranean, flying his command flag in the First Rate ship of the line HMS Ville de Paris of 110 guns.
On June 13th 1809, Captain Barrie wrote to his Commander-in-Chief:
Pomone,
off Cape Bou,
June 13, 1809.
My Lord,
I am to acquaint your Lordship that at Eight o'Clock this Morning, Cape Bou bearing S. W. distant Seven Miles, after a short Chace I captured the Neapolitan Privateer Le Lucien Charles, commanded by Chevalier Charles Lucien Prevost de Boisii, Adjutant-General de France, Officer de la Legion d'Honneur. Le Lucien Charles is a new Bombarde
of about Sixty Tons; she mounts One Twelve and two Six-Pounders, and is well found in small Arms, with a Complement of Fifty-three Men ; she is Ten Days from Naples, and has not made any Capture.
Being much surprised to find an Officer of General de Boiffi's Rank in the Command of a small Privateer, I caused the most diligent Search to be made for Papers; but none were discovered except those that relate to the Bombarde ; it is fortunate the Pomone fell in with this Privateer, as Two very valuable Smyrna Ships were in Sight, at the Time of her Capture.
I have the Honour to be,
ROBER T BARRIEIn April 1809, a French force comprising of five ships of the line, two frigates and a corvette broke out of Toulon. The British force blockading Toulon were detained elsewhere, so were unable to prevent the breakout. The French force was commanded by Rear-Admiral Francois-Andre Baudin and had been tasked with escorting a convoy of 16 cargo ships to Barcelona to relieve the seige of that city. They successfully completed this task and returned to Toulon in mid-May. They had been followed by Lord Collingwood's force which resumed the blockade with 11 ships of the line. By October, the French were ready to make a second run to Barcelona. Collingwood had received information to this effect, so moved his fleet to a position off Cape San Sebastian, to position himself between the French in Toulon and their intended destination of Barcelona. He had stationed the HMS Pomone and the ex-French HMS Alceste (18pdr, 38) off Toulon to keep an eye on the French. In the morning of 21st October 1809, Rear-Admiral Baudin again left Toulon bound for Barcelona. He was flying his command flag in the Robuste (80) and was in company with the Lion (74), Boree (74) and the frigates Pauline (40) and the Pomone (40). They were again escorting a fleet of transport ships. At noon, they were spotted by HMS Pomone. HMS Pomone made all sail to meet with Collingwood and at 21:00 met with HMS Alceste and passed the news. HMS Pomone met with Collingwood, then cruising with his fleet off Catalonia. Collingwood ordered his fleet to prepare for battle. At 8pm on the 23rd October, the ex-French HMS Volontaire (18pdr, 38), spotted the enemy. At 10am, HMS Pomone signalled the flagship that the enemy force consisted of three ships of the line and also reported that the enemy had altered course upwind. Collingwood ordered Rear-Admiral George Martin, flying his command flag in the ex-French HMS Canopus (80) to form a flying squadron of the fastest ships of the line in the fleet and intercept the enemy. Martin's flying squadron comprised his flagship, HMS Canopus as well as HMS Renown, the ex-French HMS Tigre, HMS Sultan, HMS Leviathan and HMS Cumberland (all of 74 guns). At 3pm, the French warships separated from the convoy, hoping to split the British force. HMS Pomone intercepted part of the convoy and destroyed five vessels, but by the evening, the two forces had lost sight of each other. Rear-Admiral Martin guessed that the French warships would head for their own coast and ordered his ships to head north. The British ships made all sail and chased the enemy for all their worth. At 5pm on the 24th October, HMS Tigre, the leading ship, signalled that she had four ships in sight to the north-north-east. These were identified as the Robuste, Lion, Boree and the Pauline. Rear-Admiral Martin hoped to catch the enemy before dark, so ordered his ships to set every stitch of canvas they could carry. As darkness fell, Rear-Admiral Martin ordered his ships to reduce sail for the night as they were now closing to the shore and in shallow water. At 7am the next day, the French were sighted again, to the north and running along the shore. The British again gave chase. At 11:45, the Robuste and the Lion deliberately ran themselves ashore. The Boree and the Pauline were being closely pursued by HMS Leviathan and HMS Tigre. HMS Tigre got to within firing range and opened fire, but the two French ships made it into the harbour at Cette. The British ships were in dangerously shallow water, so hauled off and began to patrol off Cette. The French admiral meanwhile, ordered the crews of the Robuste and the Lion to begin dismantling their ships to prevent them from falling into British hands. At 7.30pm, the Robuste and the Lion were set on fire by their crews and both ships blew up at about 10.30pm. Rear-Admiral Martin gathered his force together and headed away to the south. On 30th October, the squadron rejoined the main body of the fleet. They had caused the loss to France of a brand new 80 gun ship and one of their best 74 gun ships. They had left another brand new 74 gun ship and a fine frigate of 40 guns marooned in shallow water. The Boree and the Pauline eventually escaped from Cette and returned to Toulon.
On the 7th March 1810, Lord Collingwood died from cancer of the stomach aboard his flagship. His replacement in command of the Mediterranean Fleet was Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Cotton, who flew his command flag in the ex-Spanish First Rate ship of the line HMS San Josef (112).
On the 10th March 1810, HMS Pomone was in company when the Frigate HMS Seahorse (18pdr, 38) captured the Bella Nina. Also present was the brig-rigged Sloop of War HMS Cephalus (32pdr carronade-armed, 18 guns).
On the 8th January 1811, HMS Pomone captured the French privateer brig Dubourdieu of 14 x 12pdr long guns and 93 men.
On 2nd May 1811, Captain Barrie wrote to Sir Charles Cotton:
His Majesty's Ship Pomone,
off Sagone
May 2, 1811
Sir,
MY Letter of the 23rd Ultimo would acquaint you with the Intelligence I had received of the Enemy's Force in Sagone, and that it was my Intention, under particular Circumstances, to attack them.
I have now the Honour to inform you that on the Evening of the 3Oth I arrived off the Bay, the Unite (ex-French, 18pdr, 38)
and Scout (brig-rigged Sloop of War, 32pdr carronade-armed, 18 guns)
in Company ; the Scout joined in the Morning, and Captain Sharpe having very handsomely volunteered his Services to take charge of the Landing Party in the projected Attack, I consented to take the Scout under my Orders. At Sunset the Unite made the Signal for an Enemy's Frigate at Anchor By Daybreak on the 1st, the Pomone was close off Liamone, and I had the satisfaction to observe the Enemy's Three Ships at Anchor in Sagone Bay. It was nearly calm, and the variable Winds which prevail at this Season having thrown the Unite a long Way astern, I abandoned my Design of attempting to take the Tower and Battery by Surprize; and it was fortunate I did so, for as the Day opened we could clearly observe the Enemy in full Possesion of the Heights and ready to receive us. He appeared to have about Two Hundred Regular Troops, with their Field Pieces, &c. and a Number of the Armed Inhabitants, the battery consisting of four guns and One Mortar, presented a more formidable Appearance than I expected and a Gun was mounted on the Martello Tower, above the Battery ; that Three Ships were moored within a Stone's Throw of the Battery, and had each Two Cables on Shore ; their Broadsides were presented to us. The smallest Ship (La Giraffe) hoifted a broad Penndant ; she appeared to be a Sister-Vessel to the Var, and shewed Thirteen Guns on each Side the Main-Deck. The other Ship (La Nourrice) was much larger, and shewed Fourteen Guns ; her Lower Deck Ports were
open, but she had no Guns in them. The Armed Ship was partly hid by the Nourrice, so that we Could not make out her Force.
The Bay is so small, that it was impossible to approach without being exposed to the raking Fire of the whole. Notwithstanding their strong Position, the Crews of each Ship came forward in the most noble Manner, and volunteered their Services to land, or, as it was quite calm, even to attack the Enemy's Ships with the Boats.
Captains Chamberlayne and Sharpe both agreed with me, that we could do nothing by landing, and it would have been Madness to send the Boats however, I signified (by Telegraph) that it was my Intention to attack as soon as a Breeze sprung up. As the Calm continued, at half-paft five P. M. I gave up all the Hopes of the Sea Breeze, and. fearing any longer Delay would enable the Enemy to increase his Force, I determined on towing the Ships in. My Pen is too feeble to express my Admiration of the zealous and spirited Conduct of the Boats' Crews employed on this Service the same Zeal animated each Ship's Company, and by Six o'Clock having towed into a Position within Range of Grape, we commenced the Action, which lasted without any Intermission till about Half past Seven when Smoke was observed to issue from the Giraffe soon after La Npurrice was in a Blaze, and the Merchantman was set on Fire by the Brands from La Nourrice at this Time the Battery and Tower were silenced, and in Ten Minutes the Three Ships were completely on Fire. I lost no Time in towing our Ships out of Harm's Way, where we waited the Explosions, which took place in Succession. The Giraffe blew up about Ten Minutes before Nine, soon after La Nourrice exploded, and some of her Timbers falling on the Tower, entirely demolished it, and the Sparks fet Fire to the battery which also blew up : the Object of our Attack being thus completely executed, I stood out to Sea, to get clear of the Wrecks, and to repair our Damages.
No Language of mine can do Justice to the Gallantry of those I had the Honour to command. I am particularly indebted to Captains Chamberlayne and Sharpe, for their spirited Exertions and cordial Co-operation throughout the whole of the Affair.
I am sensible my Narrative is already too prolix, but I cannot conclude without assuring you that the Officers and Crews of the Ships behaved with the greattli Courage and Coolness. The Pomone, from being enabled to choose, her Station, was, of course, exposed to the Brunt of the Action and has consequently suffered most; though considering Enemy's Fire and Position, our Ships have escaped much better than could have been expected. When all conspicuously distinguished themselves, it is impossible to select out Individuals then i should be most shamefully wanting in my Duty to my Country, and to the merits of this most deserving Set of Officers, if I were to neglect acquainting you, that I received from them every Assistance it was possible to expect. Lieutenant J W Gabriel, First of the Pomone, conducted himself with the same Spirit and Zeal which has uniformly distinguished his Conduct.
I encloSe the Report of the Killed, wounded, &c. It is but Justice to declare that the Enemy kept up a very smart Fire, and behaved with great Bravery. I can form no Opinion of their Loss.
I have the Honour to be, &c. .
ROBERT BARRIE
P. S. From one of the Crew belonging to the Nourrice, who was picked up by the Unite's Boat, I am informed that the Ships were all deeply laden with Ship Timber, and that, having observed us the preceding Day, every Preparation was made to give us a warm Reception and that, in addition to the Four Gun Battery, La Nourrice had landed her Quarter-Deck Guns. The Regular Troops posted on the Heights w«re above Two Hundred, exclusive of the Marines from the Ships and the armed Peasantry. La Nourrice also states to be about Eleven Hundred Tons, La Giraffe Nine Hundred Tons, the Merchantman Five Hundred Tons; La Giraffe had about One Hundred and Forty Men, La Nourrice One Hundred and Sixty Men.
A List of killed and wounded Men on board His Majesty's Ship Pomone, Robert Barrie Esq; Captain, in Action with the Enemy's Ships and Batteries in the Bay of Sagone, May 1, l811.
Killed.
William Jones, Landman.
Edward Sutton, Able Seaman.
Wounded.
George Sibery, Yeoman of the Sheets, dangerously
Thomas Holbrook, Able Seaman, ditto
John Edwards, Ordinary Seaman, ditto.
Richard Roach, Ordinary Seaman, ditto.
Thomas Kelly, Private Marine, ditto.
James McCall, Ordinary Seaman, severely.
James Jennett, Ordinary Seaman, ditto.
William Rich, Ordinary Seaman, ditto.
Richard Jones, Able Seaman, ditto.
William Govier, Able Seaman, ditto.
William Jarvis, Able Seaman, ditto.
Richard Hawes, Private Marine, ditto.
Barnard Lovvry, Private Marine, ditto.
John Royall, Private Marine, ditto.
Thomas Ralph, Private Marine, lightly.
John Wood, Private Marine, ditto.
John Evans, Private Marine, ditto.
John Wood, Boy, ditto.
John Miiligan, Boy, ditto.
Total—2 killed, 19 wounded.
(Signed) JOHN TURNER, SurgeonThe Action at Sagone Bay, HMS Pomone, HMS Unite and HMS Scout prepare to attack the Bay:
In September 1811 HMS Pomone left the Dardanelles and headed for the UK via Malta, Cagliari and Gibraltar with an eminent passenger, Sir Hartford Jones, the ambassador to Persia. Mr Jones was bringing with him some arab stallions, a gift from the Shah of Persia to King George III. On the 14th October 1811, the ship was approaching the Needles Passage, the western approach to the Solent. The Sailing Master appeared to have mistaken the light at The Needles for the light at Hurst Castle. When the light was seen, Captain Barrie feared that HMS Pomone was too far south. He went forward but by the time land was spotted it was too late someone shouted out a warning but the helmsman could not get the ship to turn in time.
HMS Pomone struck the normally submerged Goose Rock about two cables length (or about 2,400 ft) to the southwest of Needles Point. HMS Pomone dragged over the rock but she had lost her rudder and was holed in several places, leading her to immediately fill with water. Full of water and having lost her rudder, Pomone was sluggish. As a result, the waves then forced her onto Needles Point. Her crew cut away her masts but could not get her off the rocks.
There was no wind and as a result, boats from the guardship HMS Tisiphone (18pdr carronade armed, 14 guns) and pilot boats from Yarmouth were able to get alongside in an hour and take off the crew. The Gun Brig HMS Escort took Sir Hartford Jones to Portsmouth. Over the next three days, HMS Pomone's guns, masts, cargo and valuables were all salvaged, with the Shah's horses being manhandled out through the gun ports. She had 55,000 dollars on board, which were saved except for 4,000 dollars that some of the crew stole. A marine stove in spirit casks and drank himself senseless; he was sentenced to 50 lashes but later pardoned on the basis of his prior good record.
On 25th October 1811, Captain Barrie and his officers and crew faced a Court Martial aboard the 44-gun two-decker HMS Gladiator in Portsmouth. Captain Barrie, his officers and crew were cleared of any wrongdoing, but the Court Martial Board severely reprimanded the Sailing Master, Mr James Sturrock for failing to take accurate bearings of Hurst Castle and for having not paid sufficient attention to Captain Barrie's warnings about the lighthouse. In response to the loss of HMS Pomone, the Admiralty ordered that its ships should not attempt the Needle Passage at night.
