telling him, at the same time, that, unless my wounds were dressed, I
should bleed to death. But compassion was a weakness of which no man
could justly accuse this person, who squirted a mouthful of dissolved
tobacco upon me through the gratings, told me 'I was a mutinous dog,
and that I might die, and be damned.' Finding there was no other
remedy, I appealed to patience, and laid up this usage in my memory,
to be recalled at a fitter season. In the meantime, loss of blood,
vexation, and want of food, contributed, with the noisome stench of
the place, to throw me into a swoon; out of which I was recovered by
the tar who stood centinel over us, who at the same time regaled me
with a draught of flip, and comforted me with the hopes of being put
on board the _Thunder_ next day, where I should be freed of my
handcuffs, and cured of my wounds by the doctor."
Now let us see how the press worked--
"The Press in the River Thames, for the three last days, has been
very severe. Five or six hundred seamen have been laid hold
of."--(_Times, February 18th, 1793._)
* * * * *
"On Wednesday night the press was very hot on the river Thames;
all the ships, both homeward, and outward, bound, were stripped
of their hands; not excepting two outward bound East Indiamen,
which were to have sailed yesterday."--(_Times, March 9, 1793._)
* * * * *
"The press has been so hot, for seamen, since the order of Friday
last, that three Tenders, full of men, have been dispatched from
the Tower to the 'Sandwich' guardship at the Nore."--(_Times,
March 27, 1793._)
* * * * *
"A hot press has, for the last two nights, been carried on from
London bridge to the Nore; protections are disregarded, and
almost all the vessels in the River have been stripped of their
hands."--(_Times, April 26, 1793._)
* * * * *
"The sailors are so scarce, that upwards of 60 sail of merchants
ships, bound to the West Indies, and other places, are detained
in the River, with their ladings on board; seven outward bound
East Indiamen are likewise detained at Gravesend, for want of
sailors to man them."--(_Times, Jan. 7, 1794._)
* * * * *
"The number of seamen to be voted for the service of the present
year, including 12,000 marines, will be 85,000 men."--(_Times,
Jan. 29, 1794._)
* * * * *
"There was a smart press on Monday, on the river, for seamen,
and, in many of the avenues to the town, several hundreds were
picked up, and put on board the receiving ship at the
Tower."--(_Times, April 2, 1794._)
* * * * *
"Poole, Nov. 30.
"This morning arrived in Steedland Bay, the 'Maria,' from
Newfoundland, having some passengers on board, besides the crew;
the officers of the impress service expecting to meet some
resistance, had called for military assistance, and 20 soldiers,
armed, went on board the tender, which went down the harbour, to
meet the vessel; when coming alongside, and finding the people
obstinate, orders were given to the soldiers to fire, which they
did; the pilot (then at the helm), and two other men, were killed
on the spot, and seven others dangerously wounded, one of whom is
since dead. Lieutenants Phillips and Glover, with all who were on
board the tender, are taken into custody, and the whole town is
in the greatest commotion."--(_Times, Dec. 3, 1794._)
* * * * *
"That part of Mr. Pitt's plan for manning the navy, which
recommends to the Magistrates to take cognizance of all idle, and
disorderly people, who have no visible means of livelihood, may,
certainly, procure a great number of able bodied men who are
lurking about the metropolis, if properly enforced. But
experience teaches, that, unless the Magistrates see that their
_Runners_ do justice to the public, this salutary measure may be
in a great measure defeated, from the interest which the
_Runners_ are known to have, in _nursing_ those vagabonds, which
the law enacts should be laid hold of."--(_Times, Feb. 11,
1795._)
* * * * *
"A meeting on the subject of the Navy was held last week at
Newcastle, the result of which was, the choosing of a Committee,
three of whom are to confer with Mr. Dundas--'to recommend the
suspension of the impress, to send into actual service the gangs
and crews of the tenders, (amounting, it is said, from seven to
ten thousand,) to increase the wages of seamen in the navy, and
to pay half of it, monthly, for the support of their
families.'"--(_Times, Feb. 11, 1795._)
* * * * *
"An Embargo is about to take place on all the shipping in our
ports, which it is thought will last SIX WEEKS, or until 20,000
seamen are procured. The embargo was to take place as last
night."--(_Times, Feb. 19, 1795._)
* * * * *
"There was a very hot press in the river, on Friday night last,
when several hundred able seamen were procured. One of the gangs,
in attempting to board a Liverpool trader, were resisted by the
crew, when a desperate affray took place, in which many of the
former were thrown overboard, and the Lieutenant who boarded
them, killed by a shot from the vessel."--(_Times, June 9,
1795._)
* * * * *
"A very general search for seamen has taken place in the river,
for several nights past; such is the greatest want of hands to
mix on board the men-of-war now ready at the Nore, Chatham,
Sheerness," &c.--(_Times, June 18, 1795._)
* * * * *
"The Press gallies are out in the river, night and day, in order
to pick up men; the demand for seamen being still very great from
the vast quantities of shipping now employed in Government
service."--(_Times, Aug. 29, 1795._)
* * * * *
"One of the Juries that was impannelled on the Coroner's Inquest,
to examine the body of one of the unfortunate men that was
killed in the affray that took place between the pressgang, and
the sailors, belonging to the 'Maria' of Poole, have returned
their verdict of _Wilful Murder_ against the two Lieutenants of
the Navy."--(_Times, Dec. 5, 1794._)
The following instructive little story will shew how mutinies were
made:--
"The mutiny which existed several days on board the 'Culloden' of
74 guns, and which, it is said, originated in the wish of the
crew to have the ship docked, previous to her sailing for the
West Indies, was, on Wednesday, settled by an order from the
Admiralty in the following manner:--'That several Captains were
to go on board and inform the crew, unless they immediately
returned to their duty, the "Royal George" of 110 guns, and
"Queen," of 98 guns, would directly be laid alongside them.' They
were allowed half an hour to consider the matter. The officers,
and others, who chose to leave the ship, were at liberty so to
do. The ship's company several times wanted to make terms, which
could not possibly be complied with: in about twenty minutes they
all agreed to return to their duty; 12 of the ringleaders were
instantly seized, and put in irons, and will no doubt be tried by
a Court Martial for the same. During the time the ship was in
this mutinous state, the crew flogged several marines because
they would not join them, and would have punished the whole, had
they gone below."--(_Times, Dec. 13, 1794._)
* * * * *
"The cause of the mutiny, on board the 'Culloden,' was briefly
this. In coming into Spithead, the 'Sampson,' and 'Culloden,'
both run a-ground. The former was a good deal damaged: the latter
lost only her rudder, which could easily be repaired at Spithead,
but the 'Sampson' was obliged to be carried into dock. Some of
the seamen of the 'Culloden,' in a mutinous manner, expressed
their doubts of the safety of the ship: and, upon being
remonstrated with, insisted upon going into harbour."--(_Times,
Dec. 16, 1794._)
Which were right, the Sailors, or the Admiralty?
Here is a curious case, which shows the want of men to man the fleet,
and how unscrupulously even magistrates lent themselves against all
justice, and equity, in helping to kidnap men for the use of the Navy
Services:--
"PUBLIC OFFICE, BOW STREET.--A master bricklayer, of the name of
Whitehead, brought his apprentice before the sitting magistrate,
on a charge of having stolen a scaffolding board, value under
_ninepence_: he had his choice, either to enlist as a soldier, or
to be sent on board the fleet: to both of which he objected. The
Magistrate then ordered a letter to be written to the Regulating
Captain, Tower Hill, to have him sent on board the
Navy."--(_Times, Jan. 5, 1795._)
On this, one of the spectators addressed Mr. Bond, and told him he was
acting improperly.
"Who are you?" says Mr. B----. "I am a Mr. Thompson, a Member of
the House of Commons for Evesham: and I tell you that you act
illegally." "Do you tell me, sitting here as a magistrate, that I
act illegally?" "I do: for the boy has committed a crime, he is
not to be punished by you, or any other justice: it is to the
laws of the land, and to them alone, that he is amenable: and I
say, that it is a violation of the liberty of the subject." Mr.
Bond observed, that the King wanted men: and did not Mr. Thompson
think that it was proper to procure those for him, who had
forfeited their liberty? Mr. T. replied, that he knew that the
King _did_ want men, but that that was a very improper mode of
coming at them. Mr. Bond then observed, that probably Mr. T.
might investigate it in the House of Commons: but whether he did
or did not, he should act as he thought proper for that time. He
then sent for Major Leeson, and had him enlisted. Mr. Thompson
signified as much to him, as that it should be brought before the
House."
(On Monday, 5th Jan., the matter was introduced in a speech of Mr.
Thompson's, on the Habeas Corpus Bill, but nothing was done.)
Jack did, occasionally, get some prize money, but nothing ever came up
to the "Hermione" in 1762, when each ordinary seaman had about £800
for his share; but when we look at the disparity between the Captain's
and Sailor's share, we can enter into the spirit of the Sailor's
prayer, before an engagement, that the shots might be apportioned,
like the prize money,--the greater part among the officers.
"By the determination of the Lord Chancellor in favour of the
captors of the _St. Jago_ Register ship, Admiral Gell will get,
as his proportion, near £100,000 prize money. All the captains of
his fleet will divide about £30,000, and so downwards in
proportion. The precise value of the _St. Jago_, Spanish ship,
retaken in April 1793, from the French, which the Lords of Appeal
adjudged to the captors, on Thursday evening last, is
£935,000."--(_Times, Feb. 4, 1795._)
* * * * *
"The first payment of the immense St. Jago prize is commenced,
Captain Sir A. Douglas having received his share. The following
is the declared proportion of the specie only: Each Captain's
share, £13,920; Lieutenant's share, £910; Warrant officer's
share, £612; Petty officer's share, £140; Foremast-man's share,
£26. Besides two seventh's shares of the whole in reserve, till
the question, whether the _Boyne_, and _Powerful_, have a right
to share with the Squadron. The above statement is independent of
the valuable cargo, and bullion, which are yet to be shared. The
Admiral's shares are not yet declared."--(_Times, March 21,
1795._)
* * * * *
"Saturday, the 26th inst., the sailors on board the _Sea Horse_
frigate, had 2800 dollars served out to them at Portsmouth, and
leave of absence for 48 hours' recreation on shore. This ship
shares the whole of the Spanish prizes taken by her, and carried
into Portsmouth. Their cargoes consist principally of about
300,000 dollars and gold doubloons, and about 120,000 raw hides,
tallow," &c.--(_Times, Dec. 2, 1796._)
* * * * *
"The Spanish prize, taken by the _Raven_ brig, one of Admiral
Earl St. Vincent's squadron, which was sent home, now lies at
Deptford, where she is strongly guarded, and no persons suffered
to go on board, till she has gone through a complete search, as
it is suspected some other valuables, besides the Platina, of
which 4000 ounces have been taken out and sold, are hid. Platina
is a metal of the colour of silver, and about one eighth heavier
than gold. None has ever been seen in Europe, at least in any
quantity, but in Spain where it is consigned to the Crown, from
South America."--(_Times, Sept. 20, 1797._)
* * * * *
"We stated several days since, that it had been determined by Mr.
Pitt to alter, very materially, the Bill now before the House of
Commons, for manning the navy. The principal alteration will be
the taking off the burthen on ship-owners, of finding men before
their ships can clear out; instead of which they are to advance a
certain proportion of money, and Commissioners are to be
stationed, at the out-ports, to find men out of this fund. The
measure proposed is as follows,--that each Port shall, according
to the number of seamen belonging to it, raise a certain number
of men--that these men shall be fixed by Ballot--that those who
have enrolled themselves to be balloted, shall receive a
certificate of having done so, which shall secure them against
pressing--that no man shall be permitted to serve on board a
merchant ship, under a very heavy penalty, without such a
certificate, that no ship shall be suffered to proceed from any
Port, till the number of men required from the Port shall be
raised; and that those who do not enrol themselves, shall be
liable to be apprehended."--(_Times, Feb. 18, 1795._)
As we see by the following paragraphs, the parishes offered bounties
to fill up their quota of sailors:--
"The Parish of St. James', Westminster, having, in a public
manner, signified their wish, to raise _twenty-five men_,
pursuant to the statute, to serve in His Majesty's Navy, had, by
Wednesday last, completed that number: and the g-officer, in the
course of the afternoon, examined them, and found them all
extremely proper for His Majesty's service: and, on Thursday,
they were examined and certified, by the Parochial Magistrates,
when the men requesting to have £7, the third part of the
bounty-money, advanced to buy slops, bedding, and for other
purposes, it was immediately complied with."--(_Times, Apr. 7,
1795._)
* * * * *
(Advt.) "Ancient and Loyal City of Westminster.
"At a MEETING of the Vestries, Church-wardens, Overseers, and the
principal inhabitants, of the Parishes of St. Margaret, and St.
John the Evangelist, Westminster, in St. Margaret's Vestry Room,
on Thursday, the 2nd day of April 1795, it was agreed to give a
bounty of Twenty-five Guineas each to Twenty Men, to be raised
for the Naval Service of His Majesty King George, in defence of
Old England. All able-bodied men, willing to serve in His
Majesty's Navy, are desired to apply, from the hours of nine in
the morning till four in the afternoon, at the Vestry Room, in
St. Margaret's Churchyard, Westminster, this, and the following
days, Sundays excepted. To any man, who shall be approved by the
Regulating Officer, part of the Bounty will be immediately paid,
on his enrolment, either to himself or to his wife and family, or
to any other person he may appoint to receive the same, and the
remainder upon his being mustered on board of ship. He will have
an opportunity of leaving a power for part of his wages and prize
money, to be paid monthly for the support of his family, who will
also be under the care, and protection of a kind and benevolent
parish: and if his conduct is approved, he will have the
preference, on his return, of any employment the Parish can give
him. None need apply but able-bodied men. No volunteer, who shall
enter as above, can be taken out of His Majesty's Service, but
for a criminal matter. _N.B._ Persons enrolled, are not liable to
serve more than three months after the War, if arrived in any
port of Great Britain.
"By Order, T. Drake, _Vestry Clerk_."
--(_Times, Apr. 9, 1795._)
* * * * *
"From the returns of the Regulating Officers, received at the
Admiralty, it appears that on the average, about half the men for
the navy, are likely to be raised throughout the counties, and
that the deficiency will be paid in money. The average price
given in the Eastern Counties is £25 per man; so that the fine of
£10 added to it, will make the parishes defaulting, advance £35,
in lieu of a man, for every 68 assessed houses."--(_Times, Apr.
9, 1795._)
* * * * *
"A change is about to take place in the Naval Uniform. _Epaulets_
are to be worn--two by Flag Officers, and these to mark their
rank; two likewise by Post Captains, demonstrative of their rank;
one, on the right shoulder, by Masters, and Commanders, and one
on the left by Lieutenants."--(_Times, June 5, 1795._)
* * * * *
"The City of London has now made up its quota of 5704 Seamen,
under the Act which laid an embargo on all outward bound vessels,
until 20,000 men were raised for the use of the Navy. Among this
number are about 1600 able seamen, who count each for two
ordinary seamen. The expenses of raising them in London, are
found to be much more moderate than the men raised in the country
ports."--(_Times, Sept. 24, 1795._)
* * * * *
"One _Samuel Caradise_, who had been committed to the House of
Correction, in Kendal, and there confined as a vagabond, until
put on board a King's ship, agreeable to the late Act, sent for
his wife, the evening before his intended departure. He was in a
cell, and she spoke to him through the iron door. After which, he
put his hand underneath, and she with a mallet, and chissel,
concealed for the purpose, struck off a finger and thumb, to
render him unfit for His Majesty's service."--(_Times, Nov. 3,
1795._)
* * * * *
"All superfluous ornaments to the heads, and sterns, of King's
ships are, we understand, in future to be discontinued. Instead
of a figure at the head, a _scroll_ is to be substituted, and the
sterns are to be as plain as possible."--(_Times, Sept. 9,
1796._)
* * * * *
"The Navy Board have given orders, that ships of war shall be
ornamented with carved work at their heads, and sterns, as
formerly, which mode, some months since, had been
suspended."--(_Times, Oct. 6, 1797._)
* * * * *
"Anecdote of Captain Drury of the 'Powerful.'
"About an hour before the action with the Dutch Fleet, he
assembled his men, and thus addressed them:--'You are a set of
damned, blackguard, mutinous, rascals, and you know I think so of
you all: we shall soon see whether you have any courage: I have
only this to say to you, you see the Dutch ship that we shall
soon be along-side: if you don't silence her in 40 minutes, I
shall know what to think of you.--Now return to your quarters.'
Turning to the Master, he said, 'Do you take care that these
rascals, may not have to complain that they were not near
enough.' In 20 minutes the Dutch ship struck her colours, and the
'Powerful' bore away to assist the 'Venerable.' After the action,
the Captains of the fore-castle came aft, and asked Capt. Drury
if he still considered them a rascally set? 'No,' said Capt. D.,
'your behaviour has perfectly satisfied me.' 'Will you then shake
hands?' said the men, which he did most heartily, and assured
them that he should never reproach them again for what had
passed, and would, on his part, entirely forget that anything had
ever happened. They then gave him three cheers, and, now, Capt.
Drury is almost idolized by the crew."--(_Times, Nov. 16, 1797._)
* * * * *
"The French Government has ordered 16 sail of the line, 18
frigates, and 12 ships of war of a smaller size to be built. Good
news this for Old England! It saves us the trouble and expense of
building them ourselves, as they are sure to find their way into
our ports."--(_Times, Nov. 26, 1798._)
* * * * *
"Lord Camelford.
"By the Leeward Island Mail, which arrived yesterday, we have
received some very circumstantial advices of what passed in the
West Indies, respecting Lord Camelford, who was tried by a Court
Martial, on the 13th of January last, at Fort Royal Bay, for the
murder of Lieut. Peterson, and acquitted.
"Antigua, _January 23, 1798_.
"On the 13th inst. died, at English Harbour, Charles Peterson,
Esq., first Lieutenant of H.M. ship _Perdrix_. This event was
occasioned by a dispute between the deceased, and Lord Camelford,
upon the right of commanding at English Harbour. Lord Camelford
commanded H.M. sloop-of-war the _Favourite_, by virtue of an
order, or warrant, from Admiral Harvey; and Mr. Peterson, though
an older Lieutenant than Lord Camelford, had lately served on
board that ship under his command, but, having been removed to
the _Perdrix_, and Lord Camelford not having a commission as
Master, and Commander, Mr. Peterson, being then at English
Harbour, supposed himself to be the Commanding Officer, and,
under that idea, issued some orders to Lord Camelford, which were
answered by other orders from Lord C. to Mr. P. Upon Mr.
Peterson's refusal to obey these orders, a Lieutenant with a
party of Marines were sent to put him under arrest, and Mr. P.
prepared for resistance, and ordered the crew of the _Perdrix_ to
arm in his defence. But, before any conflict took place, Lord
Camelford arrived, went up to Mr. P., demanded if he would obey
his orders, or not, and, upon being answered in the negative, he
immediately shot him dead upon the spot. An inquest was taken by
the Coroner, the next day; but the Jury, not being willing to
take upon themselves the determination of the question upon whom
the command at English Harbour had devolved, found only that the
deceased had been shot by Lord Camelford, in consequence of a
mutiny."--(_Times, April 11, 1798._)
Extract of a letter from an Officer in H.M. ship _Vengeance_, dated
Antigua, February 9:--
"Lord Camelford appears to me to be a new character in his
_Class_. He is very severe in carrying on duty; seldom ties up a
man but he gets six or seven dozen lashes, which is a more severe
punishment in this country than what is produced by giving the
same number in a northern climate.
"Although his Lordship is a Master, and Commander, he makes use
of no swabs (gold shoulder knots), but still appears in a
Lieutenant's uniform. His dress is indeed extremely remarkable;
_all the hair is shaved off his head_, on which he wears a
monstrous large _Gold-laced cocked-hat_. He is dressed in a
Lieutenant's plain coat, the buttons of which are as green with
verdigrease, as the ship's bottom; and, with this, all the rest
of his dress corresponds."
* * * * *
_Extract of a private letter._
"Cronstadt, _August 2_.
"Our countrymen who have been employed at Revel, in conducting the
embarkation of the Russian troops, have been honoured with great
marks of attention from the Emperor, and his Family.
"His Imperial Majesty requested the _Nile_ lugger, in which
Captain Popham went to Petersburgh, to be brought up close to his
palace at Peterhoff, where he went on board, accompanied by only
one Nobleman. The lugger was immediately got under weigh, and,
there being a fine breeze of wind, His Majesty was highly
surprised, and gratified, at the swiftness of her sailings. After
a two hour's cruise, he was landed again at the palace, when the
lugger gave him a royal salute.
"It appears the account he gave of the English vessel had greatly
excited the curiosity of the rest of the Royal Family, as, next
day, Captain Popham was honoured with the company of the Empress,
the Emperor, Four Princesses, and Three Princes, with their
retinue, when they were, of course, treated with a sail, at which
they were highly delighted, and, with great condescension,
partook of some ship beef, and biscuit. The Emperor was
particularly attentive to everything on board the lugger,
visiting every part of her, and, when the sailors were hoisting
the sails, he insisted on helping for once, to set the sails of a
vessel belonging to his gracious Ally, and actually hauled the
rope with the men. The Empress begged that the crew would sing
'God save the King,' which was instantly complied with, to Her
Majesty's entire satisfaction.
"Captain Popham was presented by the Emperor, with an elegant
snuff-box set with diamonds, and with a valuable ring from Her
Imperial Majesty. His Majesty has likewise knighted Captain
Popham, conferring on him the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.
Lieutenant Pratt, Captain Popham's Assistant in this business,
has also been presented with a gold snuff-box, from the Emperor,
and a handsome gold watch and chain, from the Empress."--(_Times,
August 28, 1799._)
Was the under-mentioned lady the veritable heroine of the ballad of
"Billy Taylor?"