CALYPSO HMS 1845

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aukepalmhof
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CALYPSO HMS 1845

Post by aukepalmhof » Sat Apr 01, 2017 2:23 am

This is Pitcairn's second issue of stamps featuring nineteenth century paintings; the first was released on 16 January 1985.
The artist responsible for the original monochromatic paintings forming the basis for this issue was Lieutenant Conway Shipley, an officer on HMS CALYPSO which arrived at Pitcairn Island on 9 March 1848 and "sailed at sunset" two days later.
The Pitcairn Island Register, a manuscript volume in which were recorded the more notable events occurring on the island, says of the visit:

At 9 am (on 10 March 1848) Captain Worth, and a party of officers, landed; and the greetings on both sides were cordial. Our people, men, women and children, are almost beside themselves.
Many valuable and useful presents were brought to the island...
The Shipley paintings now form part of a private collection in Australia.
Source: Pitcairn Post.

Built as a cruiser sloop by the Chatham Dockyard, Chatham for the Royal Navy.
17 March 1834 ordered.
December 1837 laid down.
08 May 1845 launched as the HMS CALYPSO one of the Daphne class.
Tonnage 734 ton (bm), dim. 120.1 x 37.9 x 9.7ft. (draught), length of keel 99.3 ft.
Armament 20 – 32pdrs. guns.
Crew 145, later increased to 175.
12 December 1845 commissioned under command of Captain Henry John Worth.

18 March 1846 sailed for the Pacific Station via Cape Horn to Callao, Peru where she arrived on 03 August 1846. Later that year arrived in Valparaiso.
1847 Made various voyages to the Pacific Islands with on board the British Consul, investigating reported crimes and complaints.
June 1847 at Tahiti

Oct 1847 departed from Tahiti to Raiatea and neighbouring islands.

9 Mar 1848 a letter from Captain Worth reports that the ship arrived at Pitcairn Islands from Callao. Bad weather delayed landing by 24 hours, when the captain went ashore with half the officers and youngsters, bringing presents from the inhabitants of Valparaiso. There being no anchorage the ship was standing off and on. The number of inhabitants is 140 and all appear happy and healthy. 100 lbs. of powder, ensign and union jack, casks of salt beef and pork, agricultural implements, clothes and books etc. were landed before departure
11 Mar 1848 departed for Tahiti
1 Jul 1848 The Falcon reports that H.M.S. Calypso arrived at Tahiti from the South American station on the 22nd March, having called at Pitcairn's Island on her way, with presents from the British and Chilian Governments. She departed again on the 26th March, for the purpose of recognising and saluting the independent Leeward Islands, and from thence would proceed to Valparaiso, calling at the Navigators' and Fejee (Fiji) Islands.

Circa 7 Aug 1848 arrived Upolu, Navigator Islands, and blockaded port for 10 days, obtaining redress for grievances complained of by British subjects.

17 August 1848 departed for Valparaiso

23 Sep 1848 The COCQUETTE reports that the CALYPSO had visited the Feejee Islands where "severe punishment" was inflicted on the local natives for the murder of 2 Englishmen.
See report of 21 Oct 1848 below.

21 Oct 1848 H.M.S. CALYPSO, Captain Worth, was at the Fejees about the middle of June. During her visit she burnt the town of Unduvan, some eight or nine miles from the Missionary Station at Viwa. This summary act was caused by aggression of the natives of that village, who about a year before had taken forcible possession of a boat belonging to some white residents, murdering two of their number. On the 20th of June the CALYPSO opened upon the town, keeping up a heavy fire. On the following day, under cover of her guns, she landed her Marines and Blue Jackets, marching them on the town, and burning it with but little resistance. On the retiring of this force, the natives rushed out and attacked them, wounding one of the seamen in the thigh. They were, however, speedily put to the rout, with a loss of eight men killed, and twenty wounded. After this affair, the British re-embarked, without further molestation. On the same evening, the chief of the village proceeded on board the CALYPSO, soliciting pardon, according to native custom, by presenting to Captain Worth, a whale's tooth, three hogs, and a basket of earth.
http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/18-1900/C/00781.html
Early 1849 was she on the west coast of Mexico till March, then she sailed to Valparaiso before she headed for Cape Horn and home where she arrived on 17 September in Chatham,.
24 September 1849 paid off.
1851 Was fitted out again for service.
23 July 1851 recommissioned under command of Captain Arthur Forbes for North America and the West Indies.
23 November 1857 under command of Cmdr. Frederick Byng Montresor for the Pacific.
January/February 1858 fitted out for sea service at Chatham.
February 1860 was beached at Tabogas Island, Pacific (Bay of Panama).
January 1862 paid off.
29 January 1866 breaking up completed by Castle & Beech at Charlton(near London).

Pitcairn Island 1987 $1.80 sg?, scott?
Source: http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/s ... hp?t=15929 British Warships in the Age of Sail 1817-1863 by Rif Winfield.
Attachments
calypso painting 1.jpg
1987 calypso hms.jpg

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