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Coastguards in the Mid 19th Century World Naval Ships Forums Archive

Coastguards in the Mid 19th Century

Posts 1 to 10

Hello! Firstly, I must apologise for not being here so much... to explain, I have been in and out of hospital lately with a suspected retina detachment :eek: Turns out it isn't that, but a growth or something lurking behind my eye! As you can imagine, sitting at a PC screen when I only have half vision in one eye has been a bit beyond me. Anyway... awaiting another appointment tomorrow, and adapting very nicely to reduced vision, I have some stuff I want to run past you guys.... I finally recieved the complete records for my Great Great Grand-Uncle Richard Bulley yesterday from the National Archives (mercifully copied on to A3 paper!) Fascinating reading, especially as I learnt that he deserted ship on three occasions... 1) From HMS Caledonia on 2 Aug 1841 2) From HMS Resistance in 1842 and again 3) From HMS Duke of Wellington on 6 feb 1855 Each time he returned he spent five days in Gaol before returning to duty. I know that : At the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815 Captain Joseph McCulloch proposed the creation of a unified service to guard the coast of Kent where he was at that time commander of a Royal Navy ship supporting the Revenue Service. He proposed that the shore patrols, the in-shore water patrol and the off-shore cruiser activity should all be united under a single command. So in 1816 the Coast Blockade Service was created under McCulloch’s command on the Kent coastline between North Foreland and Dungeness. This proved to be highly successful but not popular. By 1820 there were 6708 officers and men, including 2375 men on 31 Royal Navy ships, operating at a total cost of just under £521000. There was considerable scope for confusion and duplication because of the fragmented approach. In 1821 a committee examining the operation of the Customs recommended the combination of all services (except the Coast Blockade which would remain under the Admiralty) under the control of the Board of Customs. Officers would be recommended by the Admiralty. The Coastguard Service came into operation in 1822. In 1831 the Coast Blockade was absorbed into this new service. Coastguards served on ships and on shore. Men on shore were moved away from their home location for fear of collusion. Coastguard Stations were equipped with living quarters for married men as well as single quarters. Each station was commanded by a Chief Officer (normally a Royal Navy lieutenant). Beneath him were Chief Boatman, Commissioned Boatman and Boatman ranks. The size of the station determined the number of each rank. By 1839 there were over 4553 Coastguards. The first Coastguard Instructions were issued in 1829 and included a section on lifesaving and lifesaving equipment. The Manby lifesaving equipment was already in widespread use. In 1831 the Admiralty determined that the Coastguard Service should be a reserve force for the Royal Navy. As a consequence the regulations for recruitment of officers and men were laid down. In 1856, at the end of the Crimean War, control of the Coastguard Service was transferred to the Admiralty. BUT... I have found surprisingly little about the Ships that Richard served on, so I thought I could tax your brains a little and see if anyone out there knows much more about the early Coastguard and the Ships they sailed on, and what their role was when they weren't chasing smugglers in Cornwall! Here are some of the Ships and dates that Richard was aboard as Able Seaman: HMS Caledonia 1841, 1849 - 1851 HMS Resistance 1842 HMS Dido 1846 - 1849 HMS Edinburgh 1852 HMS Duke of Wellington 1853 - 1857 (Captain: P Caldwell) HMS Cambrian 1858 - 1860 HMS Hesper 1861 - 1862 (Captain: Chapman) HMS Blenheim 1863 - 1865 (Captain Thomas Kerr) HMS Revenge 1865 - 1866 HMS Pallas 1866 - 1869 HMS Britannia 1869 - 1871 HMS Repulse 1871 - 1872 (Invalided out on 9 Feb 1872) I am still researching myself, obviously, but wondered if anyone had a better knowledge of the Coastguard that they could share with me? Thankyou! :cool: Cissy

It's good having you back again Cissy! I'm so sorry to read of your eye problem. I do hope it's all resolved soon for you. Richard seems to have had itchy feet! Only 5 days in Clink every time seems generous to me. Your account of the Coast Guard made fascinating reading. Isn't it so important and don't they perform such a great service. Good luck tracking down that extra information you need.

Thankyou Herk... Richard obviously had problems settling! (Or is that just a man thing??) The Census shows him all over the place (and also in two places at once!) While his wife and daughter worked all over the place as Domestic Servants. In amongst the records are letters and memos surrounding Richard's desertion. Apparently he was claiming 'pension' for ten years service, but the Admiralty stated that his ten years service had to start from the date that he rejoined after deserting! Given that he kept at it... I wonder if he ever recieved his payment!

Not many of the ships your ancestor served on were connected with the Coastguard. CALEDONIA – 1st rate ship of the line, built at Devonport DY, launched 25.06.1808 2616 tons 205ft x 54.6ft Armed 120 guns In 1841 she was serving as the flagship of Admiral Sir Graham Moore, Channel Fleet. In 1849 – 51 she was in the Mediterranean Fleet, under Captain Thomas Carter. RESISTANCE 5th rate frigate, built at Rochester, launched 10.08.1805 1081 tons 154 ft x 40 ft Originally armed 42 guns. In 1842 she was serving as a troopship DIDO 18 gun Corvette, built Pembrokel, launched 13.06.1836 734 tons 120ft x 38ft In 1846 – 49 she was on the East Indies station EDINBURGH – 60 gun blockship; built Rotherhithe as a 74 gun ship of the line, launched 26.01.1811; converted to steam propulsion at Portsmouth 1846 – 52 1832 tons 176ft x 47.6ft In 1852 she was undergoing trials following conversion at Portsmouth DUKE OF WELLINGTON – 131 gun steam assisted 1st rate ship of the line; built at Pembroke, launched 14.09.1852 3771 tons 240ft x 60ft Betwqeen 1853 and 1857 she served initially as the Flagship of Commodore Martin, ‘Western Squadron’ of the Channel Fleet; in 1854 she served in the Baltic during the Russian War (aka Crimean ) as the Flagship of Admiral Napier; ditto in 1855 but Flag of Admiral Dundas. In 1856 to the Med. Returned to England to pay off late 1856. CAMBRIAN 36 gun 5th rate frigate, built at Pembroke, launched 05.07.1841 1622 tons 160 x 49ft In 1858 – 1860 she was on the China station HESPER 800 ton storeship; acquired by Navy in 1855. 1861 – 62 uncertain, but presumably engaged in storing duties BLENHEIM 60 gun blockship, sister to EDINBURGH (see above); originally built at Deptford, in 1808; converted to steam propulsion 1848. From 1860 she was moored at Milford Haven, serving as the depot ship for the local Coast Guard. REVENGE steam assisted 91 gun 2nd rate; built Pembrok, launched 16.04.1859 3381 tons 244.9ft x 55.4ft From 1865 she was moored at Pembroke Dock as the local depot for the Coast Guard PALLAS armoured corvette built Woolwich, launched 14.03.1865 3661 tons 225ft x 50ft armed 6 x 7in guns 1866 – 69 served in the Channel Squadron BRITANNIA – old 1st rate ship of the line, built Plymouth 1820. 2616 tons 205ft x 55ft. From 1859 she served as a training ship for officer cadets; in 1863 – 71 she was at Dartmouth REPULSE – ironclad battleship, built Woolwich launched 25.04.1868. 6190 tons 252ft x 58ft 12 x 8in guns 1871 – 72 she was serving as a Coast Guard depot ship at Leith

Cissy, sorry to hear about your eye problem, but glad you're back with us, and our happy band of salty seadogs. Did the hospital issue you with an eye patch to keep out infection ? If so, they want you back immediately as you forgot your parrot and wooden leg. I bet you didn't know they come as a set :p Sorry but just couldn't resist it :D Hope it gets better real soon, and look forward to reading more of your interesting posts. From your neighbour just down the road. Rik

:D Rik... back to hospital today, so no doubt will recieve the parrot then! Navelis... thankyou for that... some of it I knew, some of it I had yet to discover. Much appreciated. The more I dig and delve, the more Bulley's I find in the Navy... another one from around the same time, George H Bulley, was also shown as Coastguard.... Thanks everyone :D

Hi Cissy - Really sorry to hear of your troubles. I hope things go well for you today. Fingers crossed.

dear cissystar 650 my great grandfather commander george edward barnes served with h.m. coastguard from 18-11-1867 to his retirement on 15-10-1873. he joined the royal navy in 1843 rising through the ranks and was in the Baltic Fleet in the crimean war in 1855 as lieutenant . i have this uniform and his sword plus all his commissions from that period . he also served on the victory and was senior lieutenant training boys on H. M. S. ST. VINCENT. BEST REGARDS FROM SUNNY CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA (raining today though) mike barnes.

Hi All, and what a fascinating thread! I am researching my ancestry in the Coastguard and would be grateful for any tips on how to find out more info regarding their duties, uniforms, salaries etc. Also, Cissy, how did you manage to get such detailed info on Richard Bulley? The best I could get out of the NA was a scant list of postings! The earliest CG I have is my 3xGt Grandfather John Edward Warren. In 1841 he was stationed at St Lawrence on the Isle of Wight. Then he disappears - can't find him anywhere! My 2xGt Grandfather, also John Edward Warren, first joined the regular Navy then transferred to the CG. In 1865 he was in County Cork, Ireland (Timoleague, Courtmacsherry, Dunny Cove) then moved to Weymouth and Lyme Regis until he retired in c.1890. His son, Joseph Felix Warren followed him into the service and was stationed at Pagham (1901) Newhaven and Aldwick, Sussex and Hayling Island, Hampshire. In 1911 he was in Co Wexford, Ireland. I am writing their stories for the family and would love to 'flesh it out' with info regarding their day to day lives.

Hi there, Have a look here ... good starting point bearing in mind the service in Ireland ... [URL]http://www.coastguardsofyesteryear.org/[/URL] And here for St Lawrence, Isle of Wight ... [URL]http://www.annbarrett.co.uk/category/coastguards/[/URL] Cheers

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