The 1843-1844 Irish Squadron

Fear of nationalist unrest following the widespread support for the campaign of Daniel O'Connell External link to repeal the 1800 Act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland lead to an increased naval presence on the Irish coast in the mid 1840s.

*Extracts from the Times* newspaper**
Date	Extract
Sa 4 March 1843	The Fox, 42, Captain Sir H. Blackwood, Bart., is expected to proceed from the Shannon to Devonport, to equip for foreign service.
Fr 2 June 1843	Rear-Admiral Bowles, it is said, will hoist his flag in the Malabar, 72, and be stationed on the Irish coast.
Sa 3 June 1843	According to a very general report, it is believed that "Rear-Admiral Sir W. Bowles, C.B is ordered over to hoist his flag as Naval Commander-in-Chief on the coast of Ireland, and that a large fleet of war steamers and other vessels of war will be placed onder his orders."
Ma 19 June 1843	DUBLIN, June16. The Irish Naval Squadron. It appears from the Cork papers of last night, that the naval squadron at present assembling at Cove has been further reinforced by the arrival of the Orestes sloop, 18 guns, Commander the Hon. S.T. Carnegie, and the Racer brig, 16 guns, Commander A. Reed. A letter dated Cove, Thursday, June 15. says,— "At 10 o'clock this morning, the Lightning, Government steamer, with Rear Admiral Bowles, arrived, and soon afterwards his flag (blue at the mizzen) was hoisted on board Her Majesty’s ship Malabar, under a salute from the other vessels of war in the harbour. The Cyclops steamer has also arrived; and Her Majesty's ship Rose sailed last evening: her destination is said to be Halifax and West Indies." The Cork Reporter, in alluding to these arrivals, remarks:— The River Steamer Company will have reason to bless Lord De Grey, or the Government, or whoever it was that sent the Irish squadron to Cove, for their vessels, which we believe have departed from the quay at every hour since 3 o’clock this morning, have been crowded and crammed with passengers going down to see the sight which the harbour presents — a very novel one in these days and for years past, though in bygone times such a thing was not unusual. The ships now below are —The Malabar,72, Admiral Bowles, the Orestes, 18, Hon. S.T. Carnegie, the Racer, 16, Commander Reed; the Scylla, and the Tyne; and the Meteor and Lightning steamers. The Inconstant frigate is stated in some postings about the town to be also at Cove, bat this is not the fact. Dr. Yerling, the surgeon of that vessel, which has only lately returned from China, passed through this city a few days ago for Mallow, intending to make a stay there, but he has received orders to join at Plymouth with as little delay as may be, as she was about to be put in commission forthwith, and despatched to Cove to replace the Malabar, which is to leave in a day or two. A guardship is to be stationed in Cove, and an admiral also. The house in the town known as the 'Admiralty house' has been taken and fitted up for the accommodation of Admiral Bowles, who is to hoist his flag this day on board the Malabar." The whole of these arrangements appear to have thrown the excitable inhabitants of the "beautiful city" into a perfect delirium of delight.
We 21 June 1843	The Note Of Preparation.— Two more war steamers have arrived at Cove from Portsmouth. The Meteor, 2 guns, Commander George Butler, and the Myrtle. Her Majesty’s ship Tyne, 26 guns, Captain W.N. Glasscock, is also added to the strength of the squadron in that harbour, which, if rumour is to be credited, is to be further increased by the addition of several vessels of war, first and second rates. Rear-Admiral Bowles is hourly expected in the Shannon river by the Lightning war-steamer, for the purpose of inspecting the several forts and batteries in the Lower Shannon, which are to be garrisoned by detachments of the Marine Artillery. Further note of preparation is thus announced by the Limerick Chronicle:— "Several loads of timber have been received into the yard of the new barracks for the purpose of erecting stockades and other defences inside the walls, and two pieces of heavy ordnance are to be planted in the old Castle of Limerick, as a matter of precaution before the county of Clare side of the river Shannon."
Ma 10 July 1843	PORTSMOUTH, July 7. The Warspite, 50, Captain Lord J. Hay, sailed this afternoon for Cork, where she will receive the flag of Rear-Admiral Bowles.
Fr 14 July 1843	The Irish Naval Squadron.—The Cork papers of yesterday state that Her Majesty’s ship Warspite,50, Captain Lord. John Hay, C.B., commissioned to bear the flag of Rear-Admlral Bowles, C.B., at Cove, was detained at Spithead by contrary winds. She has on board a large supply of Dockyard stores, and biscuit for the squadron for the Irish station. Yesterday Her Majesty’s brig Dolphin, Lieutenant Hoare, arrived in Cove from Portsmouth. On her passage she ran ashore, but with the assistance of the Echo steamer was got off. It is said that she will remain in Cove harbour but a short time, her destination being South America. The latter end of this month the Inconstant, 36, Captain C.H. Freemantle, will be ready, and is expected to sail for the Cove of Cork, where she will remain but a few days, and sail for the Mediterranean.
Tu 8 August 1843	DUBLIN, July 30. The Irish Naval Squadron. The Cork Constitution of yesterday morning announces that the Irish fleet, with the exception of the flag-ship, had received orders to sail yesterday (Saturday) for Plymouth, there to rendezvous. It is added, that their supposed destination is the coast of Spain. Her Majesty's ship Conway, 26 guns, Captain Fair, arrived in Cove harbour on Friday; and having saluted the flag of Admiral Bowles, hoisted the flag of the Irish squadron. The'Cork Reporter of yesterday evening states, that in pursuance of the orders received by Admiral Bowles, the fleet have only received orders to be in readiness to sail in a day or two. The Racer, Captain Reed, sailed on Saturday morning, at 8 o'clock, from Cove; and the Tyne, Captain Glascock, following on Monday. No precise day is mentioned for the departure of the other vessels.
We 9 August 1843	The Warspite, 50, Captain Lord John Hay; Inconstant, 36, Captain Charles Freemantle; Castor, 36, Captain Charles Graham; Volage, 26, Captain Sir W. Dickson; Conway, 26, Captain R. Fair; and Orestes, 18, Commander the Hon. S.J. Carnegie are at Cork. The Warspite is the flag ship of Rear-Admiral W. Bowles. The Castor is waiting at Cork to receive Major-General d’Aguilar and his suite on board to convey them to Hong Kong, of which place the gallant General has been appointed Governor.
Tu 26 September 1843	ARRIVAL OF SHIPS OF WAR AT COVE. The following announcement appears in the Cork Constitution:— "On Friday, at 1 o'clock p.m., the town of Cove presented an animated appearance when it became known that the expected ships of war were making the harbour, and crowds of persons mounted the hills to command a view of the entrance to the port. In a short time the firing of guns announced that they had come within the forts of Camden and Carlisle, and at 2 o’clock the St. Vincent, 120 gun ship, commanded by Captain R.F. Rowley, and bearing the flag of Admiral Sir C. Rowley, anchored near the Spit-buoy. The Camperdown, 104 guns, commanded by Captain F. Brace, dropped anchor inside her, and the Caledonia, 120 guns, Captain Alexander Milne, and Eurydice, 20 guns, Captain G. Elliot, lay outside her. The vessel having the flag of Admiral Bowles saluted the flag of the Admiral of the squadron, by firing 17 guns, which was answered by a similar discharge from the St. Vincent. Cove is now honoured with the presence of two admirals in commission. It is expected that the ships will rernain at Cove until the 10th of October."
Fr 1 December 1843	The Irish squadron consists of 1 line of battle ship, 2 frigates, 2 sloops, and 11 steamers, viz., the Caledonia, 120 (flag-ship of Rear-Admiral Bowles); Fox, 42; Iris, 46; Lynx, 3, and Snipe, 2 guns (sloops). Steamers, the Penelope, 22 ; Stromboli, 6; Flamer, 6; Tartarus, 2 ; Volcano, 2; Dee, 2; and Rhadamanthus steamer, 2 guns.
Ma 1 January 1844	The following vessels are those which compose the squadron on the coast of Ireland, under the command of Rear-Admiral Bowles:— Caledonia, 120, flag-ship, Captain Milne; Fox, 42, Captain Sir F.P. [shoud be H.M.] Blackwood; Hyacinth, 18, Commander F. Scott; Iris, 26, Captain [G.]R. Mundy; Lynx, 3, Lieutenant-Commander J.T. Nott; Snipe, 2, Lieutenant-Commander G. Raymond; the Flamer, 6, Lieutenant-Commander C.J. Postle; Comet, 2, Commander G.A. Frazer; Dee, 2, Master-Commander T. Driver; Meteor, 2, Lieutenant-Commander G. Butler; Pluto, 2, Lieutenant-Commander Jeayes [according to their respective Admiralty service records Jeayes was Lieutenant and Commander of Alban at this time, and the commander of Pluto was William Pearson Crozier]; Stromboli, 6, Commander Hon. E. Plunket; Tartarus, 2, Captain H.T. Austin; and Volcano, 2, Lieutenant-Commander C. J. Featherstone, steamers. The Cyclops, Captain W. Lapidge, and the Rhadamanthus, Master-Commander T. Laen, are on their passage co Cork with a body of the Royal Marines.
Sa 20 January 1844	The Dwarf arrived [at Portsmouth] from Woolwich on Monday. She is a new steamer, and is fitted with a screw propeller. She is intended as a tender to the squadron of Admiral Bowles, at Cork.
Sa 9 March 1844	REPORTED NAVAL APPOINTMENTS. It rumoured here that Rear-Admiral Bowles, who now has the command at Cork, will take the place of Sir George Seymour at the Admiralty, the latter being about to proceed to the Pacific; and that Rear-Admiral Sir Josias Coghill, Bart, will hoist his flag at Cove. A more popular appointment with all parties than the latter could not be made. It is a curious fact that out of the 18 admirals at present in commission, there is not a single Irishman; therefore, upon national grounds, it may be safely stated that the appointment of the gallant admiral would be a subject of satisfaction.
Ma 18 March 1844	The Dee arrived [at Devonport] on Thursday from Portsmouth, on her way to Cork to join Rear-Admiral Bowles.
Ma 8 April 1844	THE LORDS OF THE ADMIRALTY AT COVE. The Cork Reporter of yesterday evening announces the following;— "Her Majesty’s war steamer Black Eagle arrived at Cove early this morning from England, having on board the Right Hon. Henry Thomas Lowry Corry, Lord of the Admiralty; the Hon. Sydney Herbert, Secretary to the Admiralty, and Captain Brandereth, Royal Engineers. Our correspondent informs us that these gentlemen, accompanied by Rear Admiral Bowles, are now at Haulbowline Island inspecting the stores, water-tanks, &., and that the committee of the late public meeting held at Cove, on the subject of the naval establishment there, had forwarded to them a copy of the memorial addressed to Sir R. Peel on the subject. Her Majesty's steamer Black Eagle arrived at Kingstown on Friday evening, after an extraordinary short passage of between 11 and 12 hours from Cork, having on board the Right Hon. Henry J.L. Corry. one or the Commissioners of the Admiralty, and the Hon. Sidney Herbert. M.P., Secretary of the Admiralty, with Captain Brandreth, R.E. Their visit is official in some way which has not transpired. Her Majesty's steamer Rhadamanthus arrived from Cork yesterday. Her Majesty's ship Volcano sailed to the north this morning.
Fr 12 April 1844	PORTSMOUTH, April 10. The Vernon, 50, Captain Walpole, arrived yesterday morning from the Mediterranean, last from Lisbon, whence she sailed on the 30th ultimo. She has brought no news. It was supposed she would be paid off forthwith, but, on her arrival being telegraphed to London, an order came down instanter to keep her in readiness for sailing at a moment's notice, which order has been followed by others to complete her stores and provisions forthwith for three months, and join the squadron of Rear-Admiral Bowles at Cork without delay. She embarked a re-inforcement of 120 Marines from the Portsmouth division this afternoon by the Echo steam-vessel, from the Royal dockyard. This unexpected movement has excited considerable surprise at this port, and is looked upon as connected with the judgment forthcoming upon the O’Connell conspirators. ...... It is reported here that the Malabar, 72, Captain Sir G. Sartorius, has arrived at Plymouth from the Mediterranean, but instead of coming to this port to be paid off, as was expected, has been ordered to Cork, having, like the Vernon, taken in a reinforcement of Marines, to join the squadron of Rear-Admiral Bowles. A detachment of Marines is also ordered from Chatham, for the same destination.
Fr 12 April 1844	"The Irish Squadron."— The following curious statement appears in the Cork Reporter of last night:— "This morning, as the Mermaid steamer was going out of Cove harbour, on her return to Waterford with the members of the corporation and other citizens who came to attend the provincial dinner in this city, she was hailed and boarded by an armed boat's crew, from Her Majesty’s ship Volage, bearing the flag of Admiral Bowles, at Cove. The Mermaid had a green flag flying at her mast head with the word 'Repeal' on it, and, as we are informed, no other objectionable motto, device, or inscription whatever. This the 'British Tars' manfully hauled down, exhibiting that characteristic gallantry in the performance of so daring a feat for which they are remarkable, and carried off as a trophy to their vessel, after which the Mermaid was permitted to pursue her voyage. We have neither space nor time this evening to offer the comments which the perpetration of this insult suggests.”
Tu 14 May 1844	DUBLIN, MAY 12. MOVEMENT OF THE IRISH SQUADRON. The Cork Constitution of Saturday contains the following speculative announcement:— "A special messenger from the Admiralty arrived here yesterday by the midday mail, with letters for Admiral Bowles, commanding at Cove. The contents are of course unknown, but conjecture has it that they relate to Spain, and that the ships in harbour are immediately to take their departure for the coast of that unhappy and distracted Country." The Cork Reporter, which reached town this afternoon, thus notices this event:— "Cove, Saturday, May 11.— Her Majesty's steamer Dee sailed at nightfall last night with Admiral Bowles and suite on board. Report has it that she goes to Bristol, and that the Admiral takes a seat at the Admiralty Board. The flag was struck as soon as he went on board the steamer. The movement was very prompt, and was consequent upon the arrival of a Government messenger by express a few hours previously with official despatches."
Fr 17 May 1844	Launceston Election.— Sir Henry Hardinge, the Governor-General of India, has issued his address to the electors of Launceston, announcing his retirement from the representation of that borough. Admiral Bowles has personally addressed the Conservatives, who alone of the electors were called to assemble together. The day of election is not yet officially announced.
Ma 20 May 1844	WOOLWICH, Sunday, May 19. At a late hour on Friday last orders were received at Woolwich to hold the Lightning steam vessel in readiness to proceed to Ireland, and at 1 o'clock p.m. on Saturday Rear-Admiral Sir Hugh Pigot, C.B. and K.C.H., appointed to succeed Rear-Admiral William Bowles, C.B., in command of the squadron of vessels and war steamers on the coast of Ireland, arrived by one of the river steam packets at Woolwich, and embarked in the Lightning and shortly after left for his destination. The gallant officer was made Rear Admiral of the White on the 10th of January, 1837, and will hoist his flag in the Volage, 26, at present stationed at the Cove, Cork, under the charge of Captain Sir William Dickson, Bart. The command of the squadron devolved on Captain Sir G.R. Sartorius, Knt., of the Malabar, 72, recently returned from the Mediterranean, on the departure of Rear Admiral William Bowles in the Meteor steam vessel to take his seat at the Board of Admiralty, to which he has been appointed in the room of Rear Admiral Sir George Seymour, Knt., G.C.H., appointed to the command in the Pacific, and will hoist his flag in the Collingwood, 80, fitting at Portsmouth for his immediate reception.
Sa 25 May 1844	The Lightning steam vessel, Master commanding William Roberts, acting, passed through Spithead on Sunday, from Woolwich, bound to Cork, having on board Rear-Admiral Sir Hugh Pigot, Knt., K.C.B., appointed to the command on the Irish station, Vice Rear-Admiral Wm. Bowles, C.B., appointed by Her Majesty to a seat at the Admiralty, vacated by Sir George Seymour, appointed to the command on the South American station.
Sa 25 May 1844	The Malabar, 72, Captain Sir G.R. Sartorius, Knt, arrived last night from Lisbon, last from Cork, but not to be paid off, it being asserted that she also will join the squadron of exercise.
Ma 27 May 1844	PORTSMOUTH, May 26. The Malabar, 72, Captain Sir G.R. Sartorius, Knt., was towed into the harbour yesterday afternoon to be paid off.
Ma 3 June 1844	The Malabar, 72, Captain Sir G.R. Sartorius, is being dismantled in the harbour prior to being paid off. Should her timbers be found on overhauling sound and firm, she will be recommissioned to form one of the squadron of exercise. She has been upwards of 50 years in the service.
Ma 1 July 1844	The Commander-in-Chief on the Irish station, Rear-Admiral Sir H. Pigot, is ordered to place at the disposal of the Earl of Devon and the Landlord and Tenant Commission for Ireland one of the steam-sloops forming his squadron.

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