Small collection of items relating to Henry Downes and HMS BLACK JOKE

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Administrative / biographical background
Previously a slave ship, HMS BLACK JOKE was captured by the Royal Navy in 1827 and detailed to patrol the coast of West Africa for other slave ships. Due to her speed, the ‘Black Joke’ proved highly successful and played a significant part in the supression of the slave trade during the late 1820s and early 1830s. The material relates to the famous action between the vessel, commanded by Lieutenant Henry Downes, and the Spanish slave ship El ALMIRANTE in the Bight of Benin on 1 February 1829.

Record Details

Item reference: HSR/Z/37; D2009.008 REG09/000227
Catalogue Section: Manuscript documents acquired singly by the Museum
Level: FILE
Extent: 1 folder containing four items
Date made: 1800-1900; 19th Century
Creator: Downes, Henry
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London