Admirals -- Great Britain -- Biography; Exmouth, Edward Pellew, Viscount, 1757-1833
On Thursday, the 30th of May, at noon, Sir Edward, being engaged to dine
with Sir Alan Gardner, had gone to dress in his cabin, leaving orders
with the officer of the watch to call all hands at the usual time, one
watch to clear hawse, and the other two to wash decks. When the order
was given, it was obeyed by all the marines, but by scarce any of the
sailors. Very shortly after, signal was made to unmoor, upon which a
noise of "No--no--no!" was heard from the main hatchway, and the seamen
came pressing forward in great numbers; those in the rear crying, "Go
on--go on!" The first lieutenant, Ross, and Lieutenant Stokes, the
officer of the watch, demanded what was the matter; and after some
murmuring, were told that there was a letter. The officers asked for it,
that it might be given to the captain, but the cry of "No--no--no!" was
immediately renewed. Lieutenant Ross then desired Lieutenant Stokes to
inform the captain, upon which the mutineers shouted, "One and all--one
and all!" Sir Edward instantly ran out in his dressing-gown, and found
between two and three hundred on the quarter-deck. On his appearance,
the clamour was increased, mingled with cries of "A boat--a boat!" He
asked what was the matter, and was told they had a letter to send to
Lord Bridport, complaining of tyranny, and hard usage. He demanded the
letter, declaring that he would immediately carry it himself, or send an
officer with it, to the Admiral; but all cried out, "No, no,--a boat of
our own!" He persisted in his endeavours to pacify them as long as a
hope remained of bringing them to reason, intreating them not to forfeit
their character by such shameful conduct. But when some of the
ringleaders declared with oaths that they _would_ have a boat, and would
take one, he quietly said, "You will, will you?"--gave a brief order to
Captain Boys, of the marines, and sprang to the cabin for his sword. The
marines, who had previously withstood every attempt of the conspirators
to seduce them from their duty, now displayed that unwavering loyalty,
and prompt obedience, for which, in the most trying circumstances, this
valuable force has always been distinguished. Sir Edward returned
instantly, determined to put to death one or more of the ringleaders on
the spot, but the evident irresolution of the mutineers spared him the
necessity. He immediately ordered the quarter-deck to be cleared, the
marines to be posted on the after-part of the fore-castle, and the
fore-part of the quarter-deck and poop, and the sentries to be doubled.
The carpenter in the mean time ran to Sir Edwards cabin, and brought
swords for the officers, who, at the first alarm, had hastened to place
themselves by their captain's side. The mutineers, after a moment's
hesitation, ran off the quarter-deck, and threw themselves down the
hatchways, exclaiming to put out all lights, and remove the ladders. The
officers followed them closely, and soon secured the ringleaders. Sir
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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