HMS Colibri

Documents concerning HMS Colibri

HMS Colibri was commanded by John Thomson from October 1809 to her loss in August 1813. She was assigned to the North American station, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Colibri was a French built brig captured by HMS Melampus and bought into the Navy.

His Majesty`s Ship Melampus at Sea,

29th January 1809

SIR,

Having seen the transports in safety to Barbadoes agreeable to your orders and being on my return to the northward on the 16th inst. in lat.19 deg 30 min., long. 59 deg 39 min., the Melampus captured the French national brig le Colibri, Mons. Deslandes, lieutenant de vaiseau, commander, of sixteen twenty‑four pounder carronades and ninety‑two men, three of which were killed, a lieutenant with eleven wounded, through the persevering endeavours of her commander to escape, who had the temerity to return our fire for a short time when fairly alongide. She is quite new; from Cherbourg, bound with a cargo of flour and gunpowder for the relief of St. Domingo and had taken and sunk two English brigs from Newfoundland to Lisbon (the Hannibal and Priscilla of Dartmouth.)

I have the honour to be, &c.

E HAWKER.

Vice‑Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren, Bart. &c.

H. M. Sloop Colibri, (Cape Sable, bearing West 12 Leagues)

July 26, 1812.

SIR,

I beg leave to acquaint you, that on Sunday at eight A. M. we described two sloops to the northward, and a schooner to the S. E., the former apparently steering a course for Halifax; hauled up in chase of the schooner; at noon exchanged numbers with H. M. schooner Bream; wore in chase of the ships to the northward, which we found had hauled up for us, the headmost evidently a man‑of‑war with an American ensign, and a pendant flying; she soon tacked and made sail from us, with a bark her prize; we continued closing with her, and at a quarter before three o`clock we came alongside, and the action became general, and at three they called out for quarter, brought to, and took possession of the American ship privateer Catherine, from Boston, out eight days, and had taken nothing but the said bark; she is a beautiful and well equipped ship, pierced for sixteen guns, mounting fourteen long six‑pounders, and a complement of eighty‑eight men, commanded by Francis A. Burnham; she had one man killed, and one wounded; her men ran below, which accounts for their suffering so small a loss.

I have the honour to be &c.

John Thomson

Vice Ad. H. Sawyer

Commander in Chief H.M.S. and Vessels at Halifax.

Prizes taken by HM Sloop Colibri, Captain John Thomson, during 1813

• American brig Commerce, of 120 tons, and 11 men, laden with lumber, from Rhode Island, bound to Havannah, captured by the Colibri, March 14, 1813; burnt.
• American schooner Female, of 95 tons, and 6 men, laden with flour, butter, and lard, from Baltimore, bound to La Guira, captured by the Colibri, March 27, 1313; sent to Bermuda.
• Swedish schooner Minerva, of 130 tons, and 13 men, laden with molasses and sugar, from Charlestown bound to St. Bartholomew's, captured by the Colibri, March 29, 1813; sent to Providence.
• American schooner Portsmouth, laden with lumber, from Cuba, bound to Rhode island, captured by the Colibri, April 16 1813; sent to Providence.
• American schooner Eliza, of 93 tons, laden with sundries, from Wilmington, bound to Savannah, captured by the Colibri, May 1, 1813; sent to Bermuda.
• American schooner Nancy, laden with sundries, from Georgetown, bound to Savannah, captured by the Colibri, same date; cargo taken out and put on board the Eliza, and the hulls burnt.
• American schooner Sampit, laden with sundries, from Georgetown, bound to Savannah, captured by the Colibri, same date; cargo taken out and put on board the Eliza, and the hulls burnt.
• American schooner Wingaw, laden with sundries, from Georgetown, bound to Savannah, captured by the Colibri, same date; cargo taken out and put on board the Eliza, and the hull burnt.
• Spanish ship El de Padato in Cortes, of 160 tons, and 14 men, laden with molasses, sugar, &c. from New York, bound to Matanzas, captured by the Colibri, May 21, 1813; sent to Providence.
• Swedish schooner Gustava, of 140 tons, and 8 men, laden with flour, meal, etc. from Carthagena, bound to Savannah, captured by the Colibri, June 11, 1813; sent to Providence.
• Ship Monk, of 253 tons, from Rio Janeiro, bound to Salem, laden with sugar, hides, and horns, captured by the Colibri, Aug. 23, 1813.