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Introduction
The Mutiny At The Nore
The French Version of The Battle of Trafalgar
The Surgeon
The Performers
The Re-enactment Groups
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The Mutiny At The Nore
Location: Kent
Sheerness Guardian June 12th 1869
The following interesting account of the Mutiny at the Nore was written by an eye-witness of the events described, then a workman in the Sheerness Dockyard.
On the 12th May, 1797, I was on board the Sandwich when the mutiny broke out. I saw them point guns that were on the forecastle aft, towards the captain’s cabin, with intent to fire on the officers, in case they attempted to oppose them. The next thing they did was to reeve the yard ropes, with a view to hang any of the officers who might attempt to stay their career.
“First I should have told you how they treated their officers on board the Sandwich. When they had formed their committee, they went on to the quarter-deck, and told the captain that he might keep his cabin. They then called the first lieutenant and told him they wanted no more of his services there was a boat, or if he would step on the forecastle, there was a rope, whichever he pleased.
The ropes were reeved on the yards for the express purpose of hanging any of the officers who might attempt to oppose them, or any of the men who might revolt from their cause. They were all bound upon oath to be true one to the other. The next demand they made was for the keys of the magazine and spirit store-room. The same thing was done in every ship throughout the fleet.
On the 13th May all the delegates came on shore, with a large red flag flying. In that manner they paraded the Blue Houses and Garrison, with a band of music and their colours flying every day.
On the 14th May they went to the sick quarters to enquire how the sick were treated. (The sick quarters were in the buildings known as the “Old Swan,” which were pulled down before Albion Place was built .
“On the 14th the ships of the fleet then in port all began to turn their officers on shore.
About the 22nd, Admiral Buckner left shore to go to the Sandwich, all the delegates following him in boats to the number of twenty-three, to try and settle their grievances if possible, but did not succeed.
On the 28th, about two o’clock in the afternoon, orders were given for the guns round the battery to be shotted and furnaces got ready to heat red hot balls. The inhabitants were in great anxiety of mind.
On the 30th, about two o’clock in the morning, nine or ten guns from the battery were fired The distress and grief which fell upon the three or four thousand inhabitants it is beyond the reach of my pen to describe.
The 31st was a day ever to be remembered in Sheerness for the distress. Mothers were carrying their suckling children at their breasts, and the disconsolate husbands carrying their little property down to the Chatham boat.
From I believe, about the 30th, many of the mutineering ships slipped their cables and ran through the fleet receiving fire from what shall I call them- butchers, yes-not British seaman. and came into the harbour, every man in the ships turning in favour of the King.
June 6th.- we are and have been for some days as we may say in a state of siege.
June 9th.- The wind strong from the East. About two hours before high water the whole fleet their topsails loose, and some guns were fired, which caused us to be very much alarmed.
June 10th.- Things appeared much more favourable. That morning a great number of ships in the fleet did not hoist the red flag, but hoisted up the union jack instead.
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