HMS Hazard (1837)

HMS ''Hazard'' was an 18-gun ''Favorite''-class sloop of the Royal Navy. She was one of four s, which were a ship-rigged and lengthened version of the 1796 . All four ships of the class were ordered on 10 June 1823. She was launched in 1837 from Portsmouth Dockyard.

Service off West Africa and in the Mediterranean Station

In July 1837 ''Hazard'' sailed for the coast of Senegal to protect British shipping and to patrol the coast of West Africa.

In October 1837 she was in the Mediterranean. She took part in the Egyptian–Ottoman War (1839–1841), also known as the Second Syrian War, when the British Mediterranean Fleet under Admiral Sir Robert Stopford, supported the Ottoman Empire and took action to compel the Egyptians to withdraw from Beirut. During the Oriental Crisis of 1840 ''Hazard'' was involved in the bombardment of St. Jean d’Acre on 3 November 1840. In September 1841, she returned to Portsmouth then sailed to Hong Kong to serve in the East Indies and China Station.

Service in the East Indies and China Station

China and the First Anglo-Chinese War

During the period 1841–42 she served with Sir William Parker's ships in the First Anglo-Chinese War (1839–42), known popularly as the First Opium War.

Australia

''Hazard'' arrived at Sydney, New South Wales, on 15 December 1842, having left Singapore on 18 October, and Anyer, Java, on 1 November, for refitting.

The French moved to seize control of Tahiti from Queen Pōmare IV and the Tahitians in 1843. HMS ''Vindictive'' sailed for the islands on 22 January, carrying George Pritchard, British Consul to Tahiti. ''Hazard'' followed out for Tahiti on 25 January, and then to cruise about the South Seas in search of the whaler ''Waterwitch'' which had been seized by the mate. In May, ''The Australian'' reported:

Captain Bell, of H.M.S. Hazard, on his arrival at Tahiti, sent a boat ashore in command of an officer, which, on reaching, was at once seized by the French guard stationed on Papiete beach, and the officer and his crew were taken prisoners. After a detention, however, of several hours, they were 'sent off' to their ship, with the understanding that '' 'the subjects of Great Britain could not on any account be allowed to land on that Island,' '' as the French Governor declared the Island 'to be in a state of siege.' This declaration, on the part of the French Governor, is really too Quixotic to be viewed in any other light than that of pity—the act of ''besieging'' an ''unfortified'' place, must be brave indeed!

New Zealand and the Flagstaff War

Departing Sydney, New South Wales, on 4 July 1844, HMS ''Hazard'', under Commander Charles Bell, RN, arrived at Auckland, New Zealand, on 12 July.

In August, HMS ''Hazard'' sailed to Port Nicholson, with the Governor of New Zealand, Captain Robert FitzRoy, RN. Though Commander Bell had been advised to stay over in Auckland due to illness, for his health he instead joined HM Colonial brig ''Victorias cruise to the Bay of Islands. After arrival at the bay on Thursday 8 August, Commander Bell fell overboard between 9:00 and 10:00 pm, and died soon after rescue. He was buried in the graveyard of Christ Church, Kororāreka.

''Hazard'', under Acting Commander David Robertson, operated in the Bay of Islands in New Zealand during the Flagstaff War in 1845. ''Hazard'' was in the Bay of Islands on 11 March 1845 when a force of about 600 Māori armed with muskets, double-barrelled guns and tomahawks attacked Kororāreka (as Russell was then known). Royal Marines and sailors from ''Hazard'' took part in the fighting ashore aiding a detachment of the 96th Regiment during the Battle of Kororāreka. Robertson was dangerously wounded during the opening engagement. The ''Hazard'' lost 6 men killed and 8 wounded. Lieutenant George Phillpotts ordered the bombardment of Kororāreka. In the evening, HM Colonial brig ''Victoria'' departed for Auckland with urgent despatches and her share of refugee women and children. Most other refugees of Kororareka sailed for Auckland on 13 March 1845, in the ''Hazard'', English whaler ''Matilda'', schooner ''Dolphin'', and the 21-gun .

On 30 June 1845 a small naval brigade from both HMS ''Hazard'' and HMS ''North Star'' supported the 58th Regt. and other colonial forces at the Battle of Ohaeawai. The colonial forces were repulsed by Māori warriors with serious losses including Lieutenant George Phillpotts, RN, son of Henry Phillpotts, Bishop of Exeter.

HMS ''Hazard'' departed New Zealand at the Bay of Islands for Hong Kong in November 1845.

File:NZL-Russell-02.jpg, Christ Church, Russell. Burial place of Cmdr Charles Bell, and ''Hazards battle casualties
File:Hazard-memorial.jpg, Memorial for ''Hazards battle casualties at Christ Church, Russell
File:Phillpotts memorial (1845).jpg, Memorial to Lt George Phillpotts in St James' Church, Sydney erected by his brother officers of the ''Hazard'' and ''North Star''

Brunei

In April 1846 ''Hazard'' served in a squadron supporting Sir James Brooke (Raja Brooke of the Kingdom of Sarawak) in suppressing insurgency in the Sultanate of Brunei.

Further service

She was reduced to 14 guns in 1848, and was eventually broken up at the yards of J. Samuel White, Cowes by 12 February 1866.

References

Sources

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hazard (1837)
Sloops of the Royal Navy
Ships built in Portsmouth
First Opium War ships of the United Kingdom
Flagstaff War
1837 ships