The report of the commencement of the mutiny at Spithead had caused
great alarm among the merchants in London, as well as throughout the
country. This second, and far more serious, outbreak at the Nore made
many dread the very worst results. The courage and determination
exhibited by the King and others in authority soon restored confidence,
and active measures were taken to compel the rebellious crews to submit.
The shores on each side of the river were lined with batteries, the
forts at Tilbury and Sheerness and Gravesend were furnished with
furnaces for red-hot shot. The buoys at the Nore and along the coast
were taken up, so that the ships would have had considerable difficulty
in getting away. Many, indeed, would probably have been stranded in the
attempt.
Off Woolwich lay the "Neptune," a 98-gun Ship, which was manned by
volunteers raised by the subscriptions of the merchants of London. A
little lower down was the "Lancaster," 64, whose crew had returned to
their duty; as also the "Agincourt," with several gunboats. A number of
merchant vessels were also fitted up as gunboats, and manned by
volunteer crews. These were placed under the command of Sir Erasmus
Gower, as Commodore, and ordered to drop down the river, and to proceed
forthwith to attack the rebels.
We must now return on board the "Sandwich." Parker, who had assumed the
title of Admiral, was still implicitly obeyed by the crews of most of
the ships. Notice was brought to him, however, that a few were showing
signs of disaffection. This, possibly, might have made him tremble for
the stability of his power, and he resolved to collect all the ships he
had reason to suspect closer round him. In shore lay two ships at this
time: the "Clyde," commanded by Captain Cunningham, and the "Saint
Fiorenzo," commanded by Sir Harry Burrard Neale.
The "Saint Fiorenzo" had sent delegates to the fleet, but they had from
the first voted for moderate measures. Accordingly, Parker sent an
order to the two ships to come in and anchor close to the "Sandwich."
Not long afterwards they were seen to get under weigh.
One of them, however, the "Saint Fiorenzo," soon afterwards brought up
again; and the other, instead of obeying Parker's orders, stood up the
river towards Sheerness. Parker, in a great rage, ordered a body of
delegates to go on board the "Saint Fiorenzo," and to bring her in and
place her between the "Inflexible" and "Director," when her sails were
to be unbent, and her gunpowder sent on board the "Sandwich." The
delegates, on going on board the "Saint Fiorenzo," abused her crew for
allowing the "Clyde" to escape them without firing into her, and
threatened them with the vengeance of Admiral Parker, if they did not
obey his orders. In spite of the threatening aspect of the "Saint
Fiorenzo's" crew, her delegates expressed their readiness to comply, and
at length the mutineers took their departure. A short time afterwards
the "Saint Fiorenzo" was seen to get under weigh, and to stand out under
all sail towards the fleet. On she came till she got in between the two
line-of-battle ships. By the orders of Parker, who seems to have
suspected her intentions, the crews of the different ships stood at
their guns, which were double-shotted, with the lanyards in their hands,
ready to sink her. Her crew had been made aware of this by the
delegates. Suddenly all her sheets were let fly, her helm was put hard
aport, and she shot ahead of the "Inflexible." The moment afterwards
her brave captain, Sir Harry Burrard Neale, sprang on deck, crying out,
"Well done, my lads!" A loud shout rose from the deck of the "Saint
Fiorenzo." On seeing this, Parker ran up the signal to fire, the
"Sandwich" herself setting the example; and immediately the whole fleet
of thirty-two sail began blazing away at the "Saint Fiorenzo." The shot
fell as thick as hail round her. Still she stood on, though of course
without returning the fire. There was a strong breeze, and she was a
fast ship. Though so many guns were firing at her, and she was
frequently hulled, not a rope was shot away, nor was a single man
killed, or even hurt.
On she stood, and not till she had got to some distance did Parker think
of ordering any ship to pursue her. He walked the deck for some minutes
in a state of agitation. He was afraid of getting under weigh himself,
lest during his absence other ships might desert. He possibly thought
it very likely that if he ordered any other ship to pursue, her crew
might refuse to return. The seamen formed their own opinions on this
transaction, and came to the conclusion that there was not that
unanimity in the counsels of their leaders, which they boasted of
possessing. Even now they desired to evince their loyalty, and on the
4th of June, which was his Majesty's birthday, the whole fleet fired a
royal salute, and dressed the ships with flags as usual. The red flag
was, however, kept flying at the maintopmast head of the "Sandwich."
One of the captains most beloved by the seamen was the Earl of Northesk,
commanding the "Monmouth," a 64-gun ship. The mutineers having their
confidence somewhat shaken, determined to request him to try and effect
a reconciliation with the Government. The delegates went on board the
"Monmouth," and invited him to meet the mutineer committee on board the
"Sandwich." His lordship accordingly went on board, attended by one
officer, and found sixty delegates seated in the state cabin, with
Parker at their head. He undertook to carry up their terms to the
Government, pledging his honour to return on board, with a clear and
positive answer, within fifty-four hours. He told them, however, that
from the unreasonableness of their demands, they must not expect
success. He immediately proceeded to London, where, after conferring
with the Admiralty, he accompanied Earl Spencer to the King.
As might have been expected, the demands of the seamen were rejected as
exorbitant and unreasonable. An officer immediately carried down the
refusal of the Lords of the Admiralty to the rebel fleet. Soon after
this was known, several ships attempted to make their escape from the
mutineers. One, the "Leopard," succeeded and got up the Thames.
Another, the "Repulse," unfortunately ran aground, when she was fired on
by the "Monmouth;" and one of the officers lost his leg, and a seaman
was wounded. The "Ardent," the third ship, effected her escape, but
passing the "Monmouth" was fired at, and several of her crew were killed
and wounded. Confusion and discord now pervaded the rebel councils. On
the 10th of June, many other mutinous ships struck the red flag, and the
merchant vessels were allowed to proceed up the river. On the 12th,
most of the other ships also hauled down the rebel flag, only seven
keeping it flying. The next day the remainder intimated an inclination
to submit. However, the crews in all cases were not unanimous, and many
desperate struggles took place on board the ships between the partisans
of the officers and those who still wished to hold out. Happily at this
juncture of affairs an officer arrived on board the "Sandwich," with the
King's proclamations and Acts of Parliament, of which it appeared that
Parker had kept the crews ignorant.
The deception which had been practised on the men by the delegates so
enraged them, that the crew of the "Sandwich" carried the ship under the
guns of the fort of Sheerness. As soon as she anchored, a boat with a
guard of soldiers came off, and making their way on deck, ordered Parker
to deliver himself up. As they appeared, one of the delegates belonging
to the "Standard," who was on board, pointing a pistol at his own head,
shot himself dead. Parker, as soon as he heard that a boat had come
off, placed himself under the protection of four of the ship's crew, the
rest of the seamen threatening forthwith to hang him. He and about
thirty more delegates were immediately handed over to the soldiers, and
they were landed amidst the hisses of the surrounding multitude, and
committed to the prison in the garrison of Sheerness. The first batch
of mutineers having been so easily captured, the rest of the
ringleaders, and all others in any way implicated in the mutiny on board
the various ships, were immediately placed under arrest. In the list of
the unhappy men to be tried for their lives was the name of Andrew
Brown.
Poor Harry! he felt grievously his position. He had protested against
the proceedings of the mutineers, but how could he prove this? He could
not deny that he had written out a number of documents issued by Parker,
and the excuse that he had done so under compulsion was too commonly
made by others to allow him to have much hope of its being believed in
his case. Up the Thames was the prison ship. Here Harry, with a number
of mutineers, was conveyed. Many of his companions were desperate
characters, who seemed only to dread the punishment they might receive.
He felt that unless he could be proved innocent, death was the only
alternative he could desire. Yet it was hard to die. He had looked
forward to a life of happiness with one to whom his undivided heart was
given; one well worthy of the affections of the best of men. His honour
was gone. His name, if it was known, would be blasted, and he must die
the death of the worst of criminals. One gleam of hope alone remained.
As he was led off by the soldiers sent to apprehend the mutineers, Jacob
Tuttle had shaken his hand, and though he did not speak, had given him a
significant look, which had evidently been intended to keep up his
spirits. Happily Tuttle had taken no part in the mutiny, and had been
among the first to urge his shipmates to return to their duty. Still
how could an illiterate seaman, unable even to write, be able to help
him?
The trial of Richard Parker very soon after this took place on board the
"Neptune," of 98 guns, off Greenhithe, a few days having been allowed
him to prepare for his defence. No trial could have been more fair or
just. Parker defended himself with considerable ability. Nothing,
however, could be stronger than the evidence brought to prove that he
was one of the chief instigators of the mutiny, and that he had acted as
the chief of the mutineers. The court accordingly adjudged him to
death. Parker heard his sentence with a degree of fortitude and
composure which excited the astonishment of all present. He submitted,
he said, still asserting the rectitude of his intention.
"Whatever offences may have been committed," he added, "I hope my life
will be the only sacrifice. Pardon, I beseech you, the other men. I
know that they will return with alacrity to their duty."
On the 29th of June, Parker was conveyed on board the "Sandwich," the
ship on board which he had acted _so_ prominent a part. On being
conducted to the quarter-deck, the chaplain informed him that he had
selected two psalms appropriate to his situation. Parker assenting,
said, "And with your permission, sir, I will add a third," and named
Psalm thirty-one. Prayers being ended, he arose from his knees and
asked the captain if he might be indulged with a glass of white wine.
On its being presented to him, he exclaimed, lifting up his eyes, "I
drink, first, to the salvation of my soul; and next, to the forgiveness
of all my enemies." He then begged that Captain Moss would shake hands
with him. This the captain did. He then desired that he might be
remembered to his companions on board the "Neptune," with his last dying
entreaty to them to prepare for their destiny and to refrain from
unbecoming levity. On being led to the scaffold on the forecastle, he
asked whether he might be allowed to speak.
"I am not going to address the ship's company," he added; "I only wish
to acknowledge the justice of the sentence under which I suffer, and to
pray that my death may be considered a sufficient atonement for the
lives of others."
Turning round, he then asked if any person would lend him a white
handkerchief. This, after a little delay, was handed to him. He then
begged that a minute might be allowed him to recollect himself, when he
kneeled down about that space of time. Then rising up, he said, with
considerable dignity, and perfect coolness, "I am ready," and firmly
walked to the extremity of the scaffold. For an instant he stood there,
full of life and strength, with a head to plan, and nerve to carry out
his objects. He dropped his handkerchief, the gun was fired, and he was
run up to the yard-arm. A struggle, and he was dead.
For more than a month the court-martial continued sitting and trying the
other mutineers. A considerable number received sentence of death;
among them was Andrew Brown. Several were ordered to be flogged from
ship to ship, and others were confined in the Marshalsea prison for
certain periods.
Parker's was the first death, but many of the other ringleaders were
directly afterwards executed at the yard-arms of their respective ships.
The prisoners were tried in succession, and the sentence was forthwith
carried out on those who were condemned to death. Harry fully expected
ere long to be called forth to undergo his sentence, and he came to the
resolution of not attempting any effort to escape his doom.