2-913-703 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

H.M.S. "Antelope" at Fernando Po - Election of a New Sovereign, 1854. 'The [Antelope], during her late visit to the different rivers in the Bight of Biafra, took a somewhat unexpected share in the administrative affairs of this part of South [sic] Africa...At the [River] Bonny the Antelope found fourteen merchant vessels, trading in palm-oil, which was stopped, in consequence of a series of aggressions committed by King Pepple upon his subjects...and owing to his determination to go to war with the new Calabar people. On the 12th December last the whole of them revolted, leaving the trade of the river very unsettled. On the 19th January the vessel, with Mr. Beecroft, her Majesty's Consul, on board, arrived, and not being able to bring them to an amicable understanding, Pepple was considered deposed; and Prince Dappo [a nephew of] Pepple, was formally elected in his place...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.