On the morning of 5 June 1829, while cruising off the north-west coast of Cuba, HM Schooner ‘Pickle’ discovered a strange sail. This she stalked until she had interposed herself between the stranger and land. She closed in on her after nightfall. Action then commenced and after 80 minutes the slaver, as she proved, surrendered. She was the Spanish topsail schooner 'Voladora' - though English references tend to use ‘Bolodora’ - with a crew of 60 of which 10 were killed. The ‘Pickle’ had only half that number in her crew of which one was killed outright and three died later. (The two key columns below the image give the comparative ship and loss figures.) The prize was taken to Havana with some difficulty as she had to be jury rigged and the prisoners were in the majority. They and the slaves were delivered to the Spanish governor. For other copies see PAG9092, PAH8174: also BHC0624, which is an oil painting by John Moore based on this image. The name of the ship sometimes also appears as 'Boladora' but the Spanish name, 'Voladora', can mean 'flying fish' or refer to a witch who could turn herself into a bird in the mythology of Chiloe (an island on the Chilean coast), either appropriate for a fast and elusive vessel. [PvdM 9/15]

“Bolodora” appears as the name of the slaver in the inscription. The account by one of the officers serving in the Pickle published in “Nautical Magazine,” Vol III p649 gives her name as “Boladora”, but W E F Ward in “The Royal Navy & the Slavers” p135 states that her name was Voladora (i.e. “The Flyer”) and that British records use this name. He also says that she was previously known as “Mulata”. Christopher Lloyd gives her earlier name as “Henriquetta” (p71, “The Navy and the Slave Trade”). She is shown broadside in the foreground.

Inscription giving relative strengths of vessels at time of confrontation: Pickle’s Force and Size: Tons: 125, Length: 68 feet, 1 long 18 pounder, 2 carronades 18 pounders, Officers & Crew: 39, Killed: 1, Wounded: 10…3 mortally. Bolodora’s Force and Size: Tons: 255, Length: . 101 feet, 2 long 18 pounders, 2 long 12 pounders, Officers & Crew: 62, Slaves: 335, Killed: 10…Wounded 14.

See also PAG9091 and PAH8174 for other copies of this print.