2-889-330 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

H. M. Steam-Frigate "Cormorant" Passing the Fort of Paranagua, and Engaging, 1850. Royal Navy ship, under Commander Herbert Schomberg, towing slave ships Serea and Donna Anna off the coast of Brazil. '...passing the fort (mounting 14 or 15 guns) at the entrance, between which and the Cormorant the usual civilities [firing] passed...The. Cormorant went on at full speed (not being built for a target for the Brazilians), and opened fire from starboard broadside, with shot and shell, firing as the guns would bear, going through a very narrow channel, with three large vessels in tow. At this period the action became general on both sides, the fort firing grape occasionally, which fortunately fell short of the Cormorant, although not 400 yards from it'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.