Hello everyone! We will be spotlighting HMS Eclipse, one of the few ships that you may have been transcribing from on our citizen-science project called Monsoon Voyages.
HMS: What does it stand for?
Before we jump straight into the history, you might have noticed the ship prefix “HMS”, followed by a name while transcribing the logbooks. It stands for “His (or Her) Majesty Ship”. Interestingly, submarines in His (or Her) Majesty’s service also use the prefix HMS, standing for His (or Her) Majesty’s Submarine, though this is sometimes rendered HMS/m. However, not all British ships use HMS. For example, those not in the Royal Navy have other designations, such as “RFA” for ships in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
Quick Fun Fact! Ever seen or heard someone say “the HMS Eclipse”? While common, it is technically bad grammar to use “the” before “HMS”.
HMS Eclipse and the Katikara Engagement
The Second Taranaki War erupted in May 1863 over disputed land at Tataraimaka, New Zealand, as British forces sought to enforce colonial claims against Māori resistance over the coastal area. On 4 June 1863, the war saw a pivotal clash near the Katikara River, where British troops, led by Colonel Henry Warre and Lieutenant-General Duncan Cameron, launched a coordinated assault on Māori forces.
While ground forces of the 57th and 70th Regiments attacked from land, HMS Eclipse played a key role in supporting the offensive. Positioned approximately 1.5 kilometers offshore, she shelled the incomplete Māori pā (fortified village), using her firepower to weaken the defenders. The result was a decisive British victory, with 29 Māori warriors and one British soldier losing their lives during the confrontation.
Ran Aground, Yet Undeterred
However, Eclipse’s service was not without its mishaps. She ran aground multiple times in 1864, first at Tauranga and later at Wellington, incidents all attributed to her officer’s errors. In July 1865, she was driven ashore on the Australian coast, requiring expensive repairs amounting to £3,337 (the equivalent of £508,492.87 today). Despite these setbacks, her contributions to British naval operations in New Zealand remained unwavering. She even transported militia forces during the East Cape War in response to the Völkner Incident, showcasing her versatility and resilience!
The End of HMS Eclipse’s Journey
After her service in the New Zealand campaigns, HMS Eclipse left the Australia Station in 1866, marking the end of her active duty. Returning to Britain, she was decommissioned and dismantled at Sheerness Dockyard in 1867. Her logbooks from this period have remained a point of interest for researchers, shedding light on her missions and maritime practices during the era. Furthermore, not only are they historically important, the records offer us a rare window into the past climate. Thus, at Monsoon Voyages, we aim to reconstruct the historical climate of SE Asia and Far East, by digitising various 19th Century Royal Navy ships’ log books such as HMS Hornet (which we have made a post about its role in the Capture of Canton).
Want to find out more about a specific ship that you are currently transcribing for? Do let us know in the comments what you would like to see next!
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