The screw gunboat HMS RAVEN  at Sydney in 1888.  465tons. 380hp. Composite Gunboat launched in 1882. Its Sydney anchorage was usually at Farm Cove. Harry Dance was serving as a gunner on this boat from April 1883 until he paid for his discharge from the Royal Navy in October 1886.

I wanted to look for HMS RAVEN  the ship that Harry Paul went to Australia on.  I found them and also mention of the dates that Harry

was sent to prison but no reason given other than a warrant number given on one date .On the other date it shows that the First Watch was

given special shore leave.. I presume he had a good time and spent a while in Darlinghurst Gaol! 

The ships log mentions a prisoner being

collected before setting off for Hobart I have photographed all these pages for Kevin and will send him the pages where HMS RAVEN left

Dartmouth with Harry on board for Australia and the page with its arrival in Sydney . Also when it was decommissioned which coincides with

the dates Harry bought himself out of the Navy. And noted all the ports it called off at on that Journey to Australia.

Left Devonport to Madiera  Tues 5th June 1883

Madiera to St Vincent

St Vincent to St Jago

St  Jago to Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone to Ascension Islands

Ascension Islands to Cape of Good Hope

Cape of Good Hope to King George Sound

King George Sound to Portland Bay

Portland Bay to Sydney arriving Sunday 18th November 1883

Raven's Log - Plymouth to Madeira

I have attached copies of HMS Ravens ships log matching the dates that Harry was sent to gaol as shown on his service record

21st November 1883   gave special leave to first watch. ( Maybe Harry went ashore and encountered some trouble !)

18th December 1883  one AB ( could this be able bodied seaman ?) out of prison

18th April 1884 Sent one AB ( could this be able bodied seaman ?) to prison.

9th May 1884  received 2 men from prison