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Naval History of Great Britain - Vol II
1797 British and French Fleets 26

under their present officers, and the London had been directed to remain in company with them, to afford to Vice-admiral Colpoys an opportunity of exerting his influence in restoring the disobedient ships' companies to a sense of their duty. We omitted to state, that on the second day of the mutiny, when the boats of the Royal-George and Queen-Charlotte were visiting the different ships, Vice-admiral Colpoys refused to allow the delegates to come on board the London, telling them it was their duty to wait until the board of admiralty had decided upon their complaints. In the mean while the crew of the London were encouraging the delegates to enter the ship ; but, as the marines had not yet been seduced from their duty, that could have been successfully opposed, if an officer had not just then arrived from Lord Bridport, directing the vice-admiral to permit the boats' crews to come on board.

A foul wind unfortunately detained the ships at St.-Helen's until the morning of the 7th of May ; when, having just received intelligence that the French fleet had dropped into the outer harbour of Brest preparatory to sailing, Lord Bridport made the signal to weigh and put to sea ; but which signal every ship in the fleet, as on the 15th of the preceding month, refused to obey. As a reason for this second act of disobedience, the seamen alleged the silence that government had observed respecting their complaints ; by which they were led to suspect that the promised redress of grievances would be withheld. This idea was forcibly impressed on the minds of the seamen, by the contents of some seditious hand-bills, which had been extensively circulated throughout the fleet.

At about 1 p.m. it was discovered on board the London at Spithead, that boats were pulling to and fro among the ships at St.-Helen's, and that yard-ropes were reeved in the same manner as on the 17th. of the preceding month. Convinced that a renewal of the mutiny had taken place, Vice-admiral Colpoys addressed the crew of the London, and asked them if they had any grievances remaining. They replied, they had not. He then, as a measure of security, ordered the seamen below, and the officers and marines to arm themselves. On observing the boats of the delegates from the fleet at St.-Helen's approaching the Marlborough, the London's people below began to unlash the second-deck guns, and to point them aft and up the hatchways. The officers were immediately ordered by the vice-admiral to fire on those that were forcing their way on deck. This was done; and five men were mortally, and six others badly wounded. The marines throwing down their arms, the seamen now rushed in crowds up the hatchways ; and the vice-admiral, unwilling to spill more blood where no good could arise, ordered the officers to cease firing.

The seamen now called for and seized the first lieutenant, Mr. Peter Turner Bover, and were proceeding to hang him, when

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