Royal Naval Biography/Ramsay, William
WILLIAM RAMSAY, Esq.
[Commander.]
Was made lieutenant into the Brazen 26, Captain William Shepheard, on the St. Helena station, Sept. 8th, 1821; and appointed first of the Atholl 28, Captain Alexander Gordon, fitting out for the coast of Africa, May 13th, 1829. The following is an account of a gallant action which led to his further promotion:–
“On the 22d April, 1831, the Black Joke brig, tender to the Dryad frigate. Commodore Hayes, C.B., anchored at Fernando Po, where her commander, Lieutenant William Ramsay, learned from Mr. Mather, commanding one of the colonial vessels, that he had just left, in the Old Calabar river, a large armed Spanish slave-brig, supposed to be almost ready for sea: he described her as the finest slaver that had been on the coast for some years, carrying one pivot and four broadside guns, with a crew of about seventy picked men, some of whom were reported to be English. The vessel appeared by her movements to be in complete man-of-war order, but as no one was permitted to go on board, her interior arrangements could not be exactly ascertained. Mr. Mather had dined on shore several times in company with her officers, and he stated, that in course of conversation, they made no secret of their intention of fighting if necessary, and even laughed at the idea of being taken by the Black Joke, with whose force[1] they were well acquainted; and as for the two gun-brigs that were on the station, they were totally out of the question, on account of their bad sailing.
“The Black Joke immediately proceeded to the Old Calabar, and commenced a strict blockade, anchoring every night at the entrance of the river, weighing before day-light, and running out with the land breeze far enough not to be seen from the shore. This plan was practised until the 25th, when about 11 a.m., a large brig was seen from the mast-head, under all sail, standing out of the river. The Black Joke’s top-sails were immediately lowered, by which means the stranger was within sight from the deck before he made out who his intended antagonist was. He then altered his course so as to cross the tender’s bow, and pass between Fernando Po and the main. All sail was now made in chase, and every requisite preparation for a severe contest; in doing which a spirit was evinced, both by the officers and men, that left no doubt as to the result, whatever might he the stranger’s superiority of force. The slaver sailed so well, that it was 9 p.m. before the Black Joke could get within range of her; indeed, if she had not got becalmed under the lee of Fernando Po, it is very doubtful whether she would not have made her escape. A shot, however, was now fired a-head of her, as a signal to bring to, which she immediately returned by three of her broadside guns, and the wind fell so light that both vessels had recourse to their sweeps, making in this way a running fight, until about 1-30 a.m. on the 26th. The Black Joke was then so near, that it became evident a close action must ensue; upon which the Spaniard hauled up his courses, and with his sweeps so managed his vessel as to keep up a determined fire, almost every shot telling upon the spars, rigging, and sails of the tender. Lieutenant Ramsay, in consideration of the superior number of guns of his adversary, as well as to spare, if possible, the lives of the wretched slaves, resolved upon boarding without delay; fortunately a light air favored his intentions, and the helm was put a-starboard. Meanwhile the men were ordered to lie down, to be sheltered from the enemy’s fire. Two steady men were to be ready to lash the vessels together; the two guns were loaded with grape, and their captains were ordered to fire directly the word “board” was given. All being prepared, the Black Joke ran alongside the Spaniard – the order to board was given – the guns were fired – and Lieutenant Ramsay, with Mr. Charles John Bosanquet, the mate, and about ten men, leaped on board; but from the force with which the two vessels met, they unluckily separated again before the rest of the boarders could follow. Mr. Hinde, however, a midshipman not fifteen years of age, the only officer left on board, with extraordinary presence of mind, ordered all hands to the starboard sweeps, pulled alongside, got the vessels lashed, and then boarded, leaving only one or two wounded men behind. With this reinforcement, the combat was soon decided – those who continued to resist were quickly cut down; the rest ran below and begged for quarter.
“The prize proved to be the Spanish brig Marincrito, of 303 tons, one of the most beautiful vessels ever seen afloat, mounting five 18-pounders, with a complement of seventy-seven officers and men, of whom fifteen were killed or drowned, four desperately wounded, and several others severely and slightly. She had on board 496 slaves, of whom, horrible to say, owing to the necessity of confining them below during the action, and perhaps aided by terror, 26 were found dead, although the hatches were opened the instant that complete possession had been obtained. Of the remainder of the slaves, 107 were in such a state, from want of air during their confinement below, that it was thought advisable to land them at Fernando Po, as the only chance of saving their lives, and of these about sixty died: the rest were ultimately put on shore at Sierra Leone. The Black Joke had only one man killed, and Lieutenant Ramsay, Mr. Bosanquet, and five men wounded, the former officer severely.”
We must not dismiss this spirited and successful action without noticing the alacrity with which Commodore Hayes testified his approbation of the service; and we are gratified to add, that the strong recommendations which he made upon the subject, procured the promotion of Lieutenant Ramsay, Mr. Bosanquet, and Mr. Richard Douglas (assistant-surgeon), on the 15th Aug. following.
Commander Ramsay is at present employed in the Dee steam-ship, to which he was appointed May 28th, 1834.
- ↑ One pivot long 18-pounder and one carronade of the same calibre, with a complement of forty-four officers and men.