| With that challenge of the oceans passed without damage, 'Constance' made steady progress on the 6th of November into easier latitudes. The ship headed for Valparaiso - the base for the navy's Pacific fleet. A relatively straightforward run. There was gunnery practice morning and night on the 13th of November. Two shot and one wad were lost overboard by accident. Four days before anchoring, Thomas Bishop, 19, died of epilepsy and was buried at sea. 'Constance' arrived in Valparaiso harbour on the 19th of November. There HMS 'Carysfort' was at anchor, having arrived a month before from New Zealand. Both ships were to be heavily involved with special cargoes in the following Spring. 'Constance' set sail again on the 25th of December to Calleo - the Port of Lima. After 10 days the ship headed for San Blas and then arrived at Mazatlan, where it was moored for over 3 months. These two towns on the Pacific coast of Mexico - about one day sailing apart - were the focus of most of the activity undertaken by 'Constance' during her time in the Pacific. |
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On arriving at Mazatlan, 'Constance' made a quick overnight sail to inspect an american corvette anchored north of Mazatlan. Recording ships and ship movements was routine work for all Royal Navy ships and american ships were particularly sensitive sightings because the Mexican-American War was at its height. Mexico City was captured in the following September. The war was the reason for an entry in the 'Constance' log - "Received 9000 dollars" - two weeks after arriving at Mazatlan. |
| During the period from late February 1847 when 'Constance' arrived at Mazatlan to early October of the same year - covering the campaign months of the war - the ship sailed only between Mazatlan and San Blas. Thirteen sailings between two towns about one day's sail apart. 'Constance' was exclusively concerned with gathering money and specie - gold, silver, dollars, doubloons, plate and any other similar treasure. A typical entry in the log would read: " 2nd June. Received 29 packages said to contain silver. Received 1 bag said to contain gold. Received 17 packages of money." |
| When 'Carysfort' arrived at Mazatlan from Calleo on the 3rd April, she made a short voyage north into the bay of Baja California and picked up further specie and money at Guyanas arriving back at San Blas in mid June in time to take on board all the specie and money gathered by 'Constance' in the previous three months. The entire haul was valued at one and a quarter million dollars. War, as always, is a powerful motivation for moving money out of harms way. 'Carysfort' then headed for Valparaiso and eventually for home. |