The Black Ratings of HMS Orpheus, 1863

By John D Ellis

Black ratings have served in the Royal Navy in some capacity almost continuously since the eighteenth century. As such, they have shared in both the risks and plaudits (the latter frequently forgotten) such service has garnered. Their presence was acknowledged at that most significant of national events, being depicted in paintings of the death of Admiral Horatio Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar and on ‘Nelson’s Column’ ^[1]http://www.historycalroots.com/black-sailors-in-the-royal-navy-during-the-napoleonic-wars/

The risks of service at sea, even during peacetime, have always been considerable, thus, the (unattributed) quote:

“The sea is like a cruel mistress. You can love her, you can hate her, but you can never trust her.”

The records of eighteenth and nineteenth century Royal Navy Black ratings reveal that life at sea was frequently cruel and physically tough. Even in peace time a ship at sea was a place full of risks from falls and being crushed by equipment.

Several Black ratings received pensions from Greenwich Hospital for injuries: John Baptist, born in Curacao c.1759, fractured his right leg and skull whilst serving on HMS Excellent. Admitted to Greenwich in February 1808 the abbreviation “blk” was written next to his name.^[2]Ibid. Joseph Brown, born in Virginia c.1746, injured his left heel whilst serving on HMS Britannia. He was admitted to Greenwich in June 1800, when it was noted that he was “a Black”.^[3]Ibid. Peter Burrowes, born in St Kitts c.1763, was blinded in an accident whilst serving on HMS Orion. He was admitted to Greenwich in July 1823, when it was noted that he was a “Blck man”.^[4]Peter Burrows died and was buried at Greenwich in April 1826. See: TNA ADM 73/042 and 044. TNA/RG/4/1673.

In the case of the crew of HMS Orpheus, the sea was to exact a particularly high and cruel toll, a Royal Navy corvette, it sank with the loss of 189 of 259 crew in February 1863 at the entrance of Auckland’s Manukau Harbour and remains New Zealand’s worst maritime disaster. The Orpheus was transporting supplies for the campaign against the Maori during the ‘New Zealand Wars’ (1845-1872), when the ship ran aground on a sandbar. The strength of the waves pushed the vessel onto its side and flooded it. Taking on water, many of the crew were swept away as they attempted to escape. Others climbed onto the rigging to await rescue, only for the masts to break. The bodies of most of those who drowned were buried wherever they washed ashore, although a number were interred at Kakamatua Inlet on the Waitakere Ranges, west of Auckland.

The (three) subsequent boards of inquiry and various Courts Martials identified a number of errors: out of date charts; shifting sandbars; the failure of the officers of the Orpheus to heed clear warnings; and the failure of the local pilot and nearby signalling stations to effectively warn the Orpheus. However, to the Maori, the cause was clear, the sinking of the Orpheus was a direct consequence of the felling of a sacred (tapu) tree by White settlers the day before the vessel ran aground.

Able Seaman George Young was born in Sierra Leone in May 1823. He enlisted in the Royal Navy in July 1859, serving successively on HMS St Vincent, HMS Imperieuse (when he was diagnosed with epilepsy, serving off China in 1861) and HMS Chesapeake before transferring to the Orpheus in October 1861. A married man, he was 5 feet 3” tall, “a man of colour”, pitted with smallpox and a resident of Nassau. He survived the sinking of the Orpheus and transferred to HMS Harrier. His fate remains unknown.^[5]The National Archives (TNA) ADM 38/8650.

Cook’s Mate Henry Williams was born in Halifax, Nova-Scotia in February 1843. He enlisted in the Royal Navy in September 1862, and HMS Orpheus was his first ship. A single man, he was 5 feet 3” tall, “a man of colour”, had a burn (mark) on his head and was a resident of Halifax, Nova Scotia. He survived the sinking of the Orpheus and was put ashore at Simons Bay (now Simon’s Town, South Africa), in May 1863 with his character being described as “Bad”. His fate remains unknown.^[6]TNA ADM 38/8650.

Boy 1^st Class Isiah Thompson was born at Nassau in December 1844. He enlisted in the Royal Navy in May 1859, serving as a ‘Boy 2^nd Class’ and then ‘Boy 1^st Class’ on HMS Victory and HMS Pioneer. His conduct on both ships was noted as “Bad” and he had spent time in “Gaol”.  A single man, he was 5 feet 7 and 1/2” tall, “a man of colour” and a resident of Nassau. He drowned when the Orpheus sank.^[7]TNA ADM 38/8650.

Carpenter’s Crew Henry Roberts was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone in May 1837. He enlisted in the Royal Navy in November 1857, serving as part of the Carpenter’s Crew on HMS Kestrel, HMS Opossum and HMS Highflyer before transferring to the Orpheus in May 1861. His conduct was described as being “very good” on all the ships he served with. A married man, he was 5 feet 2” tall, “a man of colour” and a resident of Portsmouth. He drowned when the Orpheus sank.^[8]TNA ADM 38/8650.