2-888-349 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Attempt of a Brazilian Slaver to run down H. M. S. V. Phoenix, on the Coast of Africa, 1850. '...the exciting cry of 'Sail, oh!' from the mast-head induced us to get up steam...no sooner did she [the Dos Amigos] perceive we were an English cruiser (and a steamer to boot), than she...hove to...the scoundrels, driven to desperation at their being captured, put her helm up, and filled, and ran right into us (no doubt, thinking we were a paddle-wheel steamer, with the intent of damaging the wheels). However, our old craft (ugly as she is) bore the shock nobly...[the slaver] then dropped astern clear of the ship, a perfect wreck, her bowsprit completely unshipped, lying over her starboard bow; her masts gone by the board, lower masts unstepped...in consequence of the crippled and unseaworthy state she was in, [we] held a survey on her next day, and burnt her'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.