HMS Hazard (1837)

During the period 1841–42 she served with Sir William Parker's ships in the First Anglo-Chinese War (1839–42),[2] known popularly as the First Opium War.

Hazard arrived at Sydney, New South Wales, on 15 December 1842, having left Singapore on 18 October, and Anyer, Java, on 1 November,[3] for refitting.[4]

The French moved to seize control of Tahiti from Queen Pōmare IV and the Tahitians in 1843. HMS Vindictive sailed for the islands on 22 January, carrying George Pritchard, British Consul to Tahiti. Hazard followed out for Tahiti on 25 January, and then to cruise about the South Seas in search of the whaler Waterwitch which had been seized by the mate.[5] In May, The Australian reported:

Captain Bell, of H.M.S. Hazard, on his arrival at Tahiti, sent a boat ashore in command of an officer, which, on reaching, was at once seized by the French guard stationed on Papiete beach, and the officer and his crew were taken prisoners. After a detention, however, of several hours, they were 'sent off' to their ship, with the understanding that 'the subjects of Great Britain could not on any account be allowed to land on that Island,' as the French Governor declared the Island 'to be in a state of siege.' This declaration, on the part of the French Governor, is really too Quixotic to be viewed in any other light than that of pity—the act of besieging an unfortified place, must be brave indeed![6]

Departing Sydney, New South Wales, on 4 July 1844, HMS Hazard, under Commander Charles Bell, RN, arrived at Auckland, New Zealand, on 12 July.[7]

In August, HMS Hazard sailed to Port Nicholson, with the Governor of New Zealand, Captain Robert FitzRoy, RN. Though Commander Bell had been advised to stay over in Auckland due to illness, for his health he instead joined HM Colonial brig Victoria's cruise to the Bay of Islands. After arrival at the bay on Thursday 8 August, Commander Bell fell overboard between 9:00 and 10:00 pm, and died soon after rescue.[8][9] He was buried in the graveyard of Christ Church, Kororāreka.[10]

Hazard, under Acting Commander David Robertson, operated in the Bay of Islands in New Zealand during the Flagstaff War in 1845. Hazard was in the Bay of Islands on 11 March 1845 when a force of about 600 Māori armed with muskets, double-barrelled guns and tomahawks attacked Kororāreka (as Russell was then known). Royal Marines and sailors from Hazard took part in the fighting ashore aiding a detachment of the 96th Regiment during the Battle of Kororāreka. Robertson was dangerously wounded during the opening engagement. The Hazard lost 6 men killed and 8 wounded.[11] Lieutenant George Phillpotts ordered the bombardment of Kororāreka.[12] In the evening, HM Colonial brig Victoria departed for Auckland with urgent despatches and her share of refugee women and children. Most other refugees of Kororareka sailed for Auckland on 13 March 1845, in the Hazard,[13] English whaler Matilda, schooner Dolphin, and the 21-gun USS St. Louis.

On 30 June 1845 a small naval brigade from both HMS Hazard and HMS North Star supported the 58th Regt. and other colonial forces at the Battle of Ohaeawai. The colonial forces were repulsed by Māori warriors with serious losses including Lieutenant George Phillpotts, RN, son of Henry Phillpotts, Bishop of Exeter.[14][15]

HMS Hazard departed New Zealand at the Bay of Islands for Hong Kong in November 1845.

• 
  Christ Church, Russell. Burial place of Cmdr Charles Bell, and Hazard's battle casualties
• 
  Memorial for Hazard's battle casualties at Christ Church, Russell
• 
  Memorial to Lt George Phillpotts in St James' Church, Sydney erected by his brother officers of the Hazard and North Star

In April 1846 Hazard served in a squadron supporting Sir James Brooke (Raja Brooke of the Kingdom of Sarawak) in suppressing insurgency in the Sultanate of Brunei.