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Re: [TSL] Thomas Sanders (Saunders)
Marj Kohli <marj@uwaterloo.ca> on 04/24/2009

Diana

The London Times was very good at following the military. On March 
23, 1859 she reported: "The paddle-wheel steam sloop Gorgon was 
likewise undocked, and was admitted into the fitting basin."

It was a reconditioned vessel and on April 28, 1859 they reported 
that Commander Bedford C.T. Pim was to command the Gorgon. The next 
day they reported that the vessel was commissioned. and the transfer 
of  "Josh. Cutajar, master, to the Gorgon". On April 30, more 
transfers to the vessel: "Lieutenant William Spratt to the Gorgon; 
John E. Scudamore, Master, to the Gorgon; J. Cutajar, Master, to the 
Coastguard; J.M. Wallace, Surgeon, to the Gorgon; David Campbell, 
Assistant-Surgeon, to the Gorgon;..."

On May 9, 1859:
Detachments of Royal Marines were on Saturday embarked from Woolwich 
for Her Majesty's paddlewheel steam sloop Gorgon, despatch vessel 
Banshee, steam frigate Firebrand, and the 81-gun ship Asia, recently 
commissioned.

May 12, 1859:
Her Majesty's paddlewheel steam-sloop Gorgon, Commander Pym, recently 
commissioned, was to sail from Woolwich this morning for Shields, to 
embark a large number of volunteers (500), already enrolled as 
men-of-war's men.

May 13, 1859:
Her Majesty's paddlewheel steam sloop Gorgon, Commander Pym, sailed 
from Woolwich yesterday morning for Shields to embark volunteers for the fleet.

May 23, 1859:
The Gorgon, in command of Captain Pim, R.N., is in the Tyne recruiting.

same date under MAN OF WAR IN THE TYNE.
Her Majesty's paddlewheel steamer Gorgon arrived in the Tyne on 
Thursday, for the double purpose of filling up her complement of men 
and of offering that protection to this coast which is so much 
required. We have already mentioned in the Guardian that the Gorgon 
was one of the first steam-vessels in the Royal Navy. It appears that 
she was built 20 years ago, is 1.111 tons burden, and draws 16 feet 
of water. She is brig-rigged, and mounts the following armament:--1 
61-pounder, 95cwt. gun; 1 84-pounder, 84cwt.; 4 32-pounders, 2 
24-pound howitzers, 1 12-pound howitzer, a 6-pound howitzer, and a 
field piece. The ship is bountifully supplied with revolvers, and 
that famous English weapon the cutlass. Her complement of men and 
officers should be 165. The Gorgon has seen much service. During her 
first commission, under Captain W.H. Henderson, C.B., she did good 
service in the Syrian campaign, being engaged in the bombardment of 
Acre and Sidon, and often carried the broad pennant of Commodore 
Napier. In 1844 she was blown high and dry on the beach at 
Montevideo, from which extraordinary position it took her commander, 
Captain Hotham, five months to place her afloat again. This feat is 
one of the proofs of what British seaman are capable of when properly 
commanded. During her third commission she was employed on the South 
American station, and, among other services, towed Captain 
Collinson's expedition in search of Sir John Franklin through the 
Straits of Magellan. The last service performed by the Gorgon, 
conjointly with the Agamemnon, was that of laying down the Atlantic 
cable.--Newcastle Chronicle.

On June 21, she was at Sheerness awaiting orders. On June 22, she is 
reported arriving at Deal. On June 23, she is reported arriving at 
Spithead "with a large number of boys and some supernumeraries to 
join the Victory, for general service."

On June 27, "Adolphus E. Parks, Master, to the Gorgon" On July 13, 
she was anchored at Deal and on July 20, sailed:

DEAL, July 15.
2p.m.--Wind S.W., moderate,
Sailed.--Her Majesty's steamer Gorgon (supposed), for the eastward.

Aug 19, she sailed from Deal for Portsmouth. Aug 20, she arrived at 
Spithead. On Aug 22, she was reported to be part of the channel 
fleet. Monday, Aug 29, 1859 she arrived at Plymouth "on Sunday."

If you want me to keep following her please let me know.

Marj



At 03:41 AM 4/24/2009, Dianadiluca@aol.com wrote:
>Hi all,
>
>Looking for any information on Thomas Sanders (Saunders) born abt. 1837
>Newcastle Under Lyne.  He joined the 48 company Royal marines in Woolwich  in
>1857 and left in 1868.
>
> >From  May 1859-1864 he served on the "Gorgon" and from November 1866 to
>May 1867  on  "Black Prince".
>
>Any  information about Thomas or the ships he served on would be  fantastic.
>
>Kind  regards
>
>Diana
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