A court-martial assembled on the 31st of January, [1848], on board the Trafalgar, to try Lieutenant Rooke and the survivors of the Avenger, for the loss of that ship on the Sorella rocks, off Galita, on the night of the 20th December, 1847. The court lasted two days. The following sentence was read by the officiating Judge-Advocate:

The court, after having the narrative of Lieutenant Rooke read, and the evidence adduced, are of opinion that the Avenger was wrecked on a reef of rocks, about ten o'clock on the evening of the 20th of December last, but there is not sufficient cause shown in the evidence to account for the accident. No blame is attached to Lieutenant Rooke, or the other prisoners, and they are fully acquitted. The court consider the conduct of Lieutenant Rooke to have been proper, in lowering the cutter, as he was acting in obedience to orders given. The court consider the conduct of Lieutenant Rooke, in laying off the ship to save the lives of any who might seek safety, and his persevering efforts for the same object in returning to the vessel from Tunis, to have been most praiseworthy and humane. The court cannot separate without expressing their warm approbation of the conduct of Mr. Larcom through out the trying scene. The court warmly eulogise the humanity of the Arabs, who assisted the sufferers on their reaching land. The court have very considerable doubts if the Avenger had the Admiralty charts of the Mediterranean on board. The court fully and entirely acquit the prisoners.

The President, calling Lieutenant Francis Rooke, thus addressed him:-" Lieutenant Rooke.- It is needless for me to make any comment, after the expression of the opinion of the court you have just heard and read, and I have the greatest pleasure in returning you your sword."

SG & SGTL Vol 5 ; page 143

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