Following the evacuation of its citizens on 13 January, the US government stated that it recognised that Zanzibar lay within Britain's sphere of influence, and would not intervene. The US did, however, urge that Britain cooperate with other Southeast African countries to restore order. The first British military vessel on the scene was the survey ship HMS "Owen", which was diverted from the Kenyan coast and arrived on the evening of 12 January. "Owen" was joined on 15 January by the frigate "Rhyl" and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship "Hebe". While the lightly armed "Owen" had been able to provide the revolutionaries with an unobtrusive reminder of Britain's military power, the "Hebe" and "Rhyl" were different matters. Due to inaccurate reports that the situation in Zanzibar was deteriorating, the "Rhyl" was carrying a company of troops of the first battalion of the Staffordshire Regiment from Kenya, the embarkation of which was widely reported in the Kenyan media, and would hinder British negotiations with Zanzibar. The "Hebe" had just finished removing stores from the naval depot at Mombasa and was loaded with weapons and explosives. Although the Revolutionary Council was unaware of the nature of "Hebe"'s cargo, the Royal Navy's refusal to allow a search of the ship created suspicion ashore and rumours circulated that she was an amphibious assault ship.