HMS Sulphur (1826)

HMS Sulphur was a Cherokee-class 10-gun brig-sloop of the Royal Navy, launched in 1826. She is best known for her extensive surveying voyages, particularly in the Pacific Ocean and along the coasts of Central and South America.

Commissioned in 1833 under the command of Commander Frederick Beechey, Sulphur was initially tasked with surveying the coast of South America. Her work included detailed charting and hydrographic surveys, contributing significantly to the understanding of the region's geography and navigational hazards. During this period, Beechey's leadership emphasized scientific observation, leading to the collection of valuable data on natural history, geology, and ethnography.

Following Beechey's departure due to ill health, the Sulphur was placed under the command of Captain Edward Belcher in 1836. Belcher continued the surveying work, focusing on the west coast of the Americas from Chile to Alaska. A key objective during this period was to determine the precise location of the magnetic north pole, a difficult and scientifically important endeavor at the time. The Sulphur's voyages took her as far north as the Bering Strait and into the Arctic regions.

The Sulphur's surveying missions were notable not only for their geographical scope but also for the scientific contributions made by the accompanying naturalists and artists. The detailed records and illustrations produced during these voyages significantly advanced scientific knowledge of the regions visited.

In 1842, HMS Sulphur was converted to a coal hulk. She was eventually sold out of service in 1860. Though her active service was comparatively brief, the Sulphur's legacy resides in the substantial contributions her voyages made to cartography, navigation, and the scientific understanding of the Pacific and the Americas.