Robert James & Columbus

There is an article in the Isllington Mail for Tuesday the 3rd of May 1910 , about Robert James Shrosbree who was 91 years old at the time and amongst his recollections was an intruiging tale of his time spent in the navy, not the Navy but the U.S navy
Having read through the article there appeared to be some discrepancies in the old mans story so I set about trying to to piece together the actual events .
According toRobert James he joined the U.S.Navy in 1841 and went through the Mexican wars and was present at the bombardement of San Francisco and the seige of Montery . He also went to Japan being there in July 1846.

According to history the events of the Mexican wars also took place in July 1846. clearly he cannot have been in two palces at once . The other question that vexed me was why would they leave a theatre of war at such a crucial time to sail against the wind and tides to go to Japan .
We do not know when Robert James went to America, but he was there in time to enlist in the navy and be on board the Columbus when she sailed from New York in June 1845, having been in dock for repairs since 27 May 1844. After embarking her new captain Commadore Biddle .Commander of the East Indies Squadron ,she left for a world tour, sailng to Canton,China where on the 31 December Cmdr Biddle exchanged ratified copies ofthe first American treaty with China . she remained at Canton until April 1846. The Columbus sailed for Japan to try and attempt the opening of Japan to Ameriacn commerce . She raised Tokyo Bay 19 July 1846 in company with the Vincences . but they were rebuffed in their efforts.
Recalled at the outbreak of the Mexican wars she reached Valpariso,Chile. in December that year and subsequently arrive at Montery, California 2nd March 1847. too late to be usefull in the Calofornia operations she sailed 25th July for Norfolk,Virginia arriving there 3rd March 1848. where she paid of her crew.
Robert James was back home in England and Married by December of that year [1848] so he must have come home in double quick time , Was his sweatheart Elizebeth Hatteral waiting for his return ?
Sadly His old ship Columbus was laid up in 'ordianary' until 20 april 1861 when she was sunk by the withdrawing Union forces to prevent her falling into Confederate hands .

Following a chance remark to a visiting American in his taxidermy shop some years later he was subsequently awarded a U.S navy pension of $20 a month and got £167.17s.4d in back pay .

The Columbus was a 74 gun Ship of the line . Built in 1819 she wieghed 2480 tonnes had a lenght of 191' 10'' a beam of 53' 6''and a draught of 26' 6'' her full complment was 780 people.