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An intriguing though far from convincing reply to that question comes from Dr. H.B.M.
From Time Magazine Archive
On the 12th of February, they were overhauled and searched by H.B.M. ship Cleopatra.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 05, No. 31, May, 1860 by Various
Her mother, who died at the good old age of ninety—in full possession of all her faculties—was a daughter of Sir Stephen Shairp, of Houston, Linlithgow, who was for many years H.B.M.
From Notable Women Authors of the Day Biographical Sketches by Black, Helen C.
When H.B.M. ship Breton was at Callao, some of the officers accompanied me one Sunday afternoon to the Alameda at Lima.
From South America by Koebel, W. H. (William Henry)
The following year, on Mr. Adair being appointed H.B.M.
From A Publisher and His Friends Memoir and Correspondence of John Murray; with an Account of the Origin and Progress of the House, 1768-1843 by Smiles, Samuel
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