| Sa 12 February 1842 | The total number of vessels that have already sailed, or are about to sail, to join the squadron in the Chinese seas is 15, being 1 line of battle-ship, the Implacable, 74, fitting for the flag of Sir T. Cochrane; 4 frigates, the Cambrian, 36, Captain H.D. Chads, C.B., the Thalia, 44, Captain C. Hope, the North Star, 28, Captain Sir J.E. Home, and the Vindictive, 50, Captain J. Toup Nicholas; 6 sloops of war, the Dido, 20, Captain the Hon. H. Keppel, the Hazard, 18, Commander C. Bell, the Syren, 16, Commander W. Smith, the Harlequin, 10, Commander G.F. Hastings, the Wolverine, 16, Commander J.W.S. Johnson, and the Serpent, 16, Commander W. Nevill; 3 troop ships, the Belleisle, Captain J. Kingcome, the Apollo, Commander C, Frederick, and the Sapphire, Master Commander G.H. Cole; and 1 hospital-ship, the Minden, Captain M. Quin. The ships of war carry altogether 334 guns. The majority of them have already sailed; the Implacable, Vindictive, Wolverine, and Minden (hospital-ship) being the only vessels not yet ready. The Wolverene and Minden will sail in a day or two, and the Vindictive in about three weeks; the Implacable will take some time longer, as she has only recently been put in commission. It is now understood that the Carysfort frigate, 26, Captain Lord G. Paulett, which has lately been commissioned at this port, is to proceed to China. This will make the number of vessels ordered to reinforce the squadron already there 16, and the total number of guns 360, exclusive of these on board the troopships, which are armed en flute. |