Julian Stockwin - Mutiny

More details, then the meeting broke up in noisy cheerfulness. It was a daring stroke, and action instead of the boredom of waiting. Some were uneasy: perhaps this would set government and Admiralty implacably against them, with avenging to be wrought afterwards, no matter the result.

But Thomas Jepson, the lively fiddler of Sandwich, put the sailors' feelings best: 'We gets what we ask, or all London '11 be in an uproar Sat'day night.'

The next morning Kydd joined Parker on the fo'c'sle head. Standing in the desultory rain, arms folded and looking out over the grey expanse of the Thames estuary, the president of the delegates affected not to notice him.

'Goin' well, then,' Kydd said.

Parker glanced once at him. 'You're with us.'

'Aye.'

'Made peace with your conscience?' 'I know what I have t' do.'

Unbending, Parker pointed to the battleships. 'I should suppose they'll kedge and warp across.'

'Wi' this useful easterly an' on the ebb? They'd be lubbers if they don't cast t' larb'd an' make a board across t' their place, lettin' go the stream anchor .. .' He tailed off, aware that he was contradicting Parker.

'You'd never make a politician, but always a damn fine seaman, Tom.' Parker laughed.

They both looked out at the scene. Without officers, and with the minimum of fuss, the big ships-of-the-line took up their moorings and, under topsails and fore-'n'-aft canvas, leaned to the wind to find their allotted places. Within hours, they were in position, and the sea highway to the capital was securely closed.

'This is what I want to see,' said Parker. It was the several picket craft sailing to intercept merchantmen, working together with the patrolling frigates to shepherd them to a holding anchorage. One by one merchant captains found themselves joining a growing number of vessels crowding the mud-flat.

As the numbers swelled, Parker grew more sombre. 'To see it happen, to know it is my work - it gives me no pleasure, if you'll believe me. Did I do right? Or have I brought down forces of vengeance that will undo our precious cause?'

Three sailors deserting from Lion were brought to the gangway. The committee decided on two dozen lashes to be applied immediately. But by night disaffected seamen could take boats and reach the Essex mud-flats, the remote marshlands of eastern Sheppey or the Isle of Grain, and disappear.

HMS Maria was a victualler from Deptford. She was laden with stores and provisions for Jervis - newly created Earl St Vincent - and his fleet still at Lisbon. Given the Admiralty's non-supply to their own fleet, the committee deemed it proper that the stores should rightfully go to where they were most needed. Kydd was soon entering this accession of stores in open declaration and making out disbursement lists.

The Inflexible men took more direct means. Several boats were taken ashore where sheep were seized from terrified farmers and carried bleating out to sea. Others relieved a fishing smack of its catch.

Days passed: newspapers told of fear and disorder, chaos on the trading floors, hunts for Jacobin spies.

Editorials were full of rage at the mutineers. Still there was no word of a peace mission.

Parker toured the ships to raise spirits. Some, like Montagu, Director and Inflexible, turned on him, demanding yet more acts against the silent Admiralty, while others begged a resolution before their world disintegrated.

'We cannot cravenly surrender now,' Parker said softly. 'They'll crucify us for what we've done.' He smiled wanly. 'Do you know, Tom, there are now proclamations posted in Sheerness that accuse me of "divers acts of mutiny, treason and rebellion" and promising five hundred pounds for my apprehension? How long before we all have our fame published so far and wide?'

Kydd saw Parker's despondent look. 'They must yield! It c'n only be a matter of time, Dick.' Parker didn't reply.

The breakthrough came just after dawn. The lookouts in the maintop of Sandwich hailed the deck. 'Deck hooooo! Ships — men-o'-war, ships-o'-the-line — standin' toward!'

Eager eyes identified the remainder of the North Sea squadron: Agamemnon, previously Nelson's own famed ship-of-the-line; Ardent, of equal force; Leopard and Isis, 50-gun ships. They all flew the Bloody Flag at the main.

'Now! Now we have it! Dare I say it?' Parker said, exulting in the moment. 'We have a fleet, such a fleet that is the biggest in England!' The tension of the days fell away, men manned the shrouds and cheered themselves hoarse.

'With this force,' Parker said, his eyes bright and staring, 'I can do anything. I've more power than any admiral — I can descend on whole countries and make them quiver. There's nothing I can't do. Think of it!'

The Parliament of the Delegates was called instantly; the agenda, final determination. Discussion raged - but there was really only one issue: how to wrest attention and redress for their grievances.

Parker let the arguments roll on, then stood up tall and proud. 'There is only one course now left to us, brothers. I'm speaking of the King.' He got complete attention. 'As I detailed to this Parliament at the beginning of this affair, it is my contention that the King is surrounded by ministers and advisers who are evil, self-seeking and avaricious. Now we have the power to cut through those who have until now ensured that we are never heard, and approach His Majesty directly.' He paused and smiled. 'I therefore ask this committee for a form of wording of a loyal address to His Majesty, detailing our grievances. Thank you, brother seamen.'

There was general polite applause then discussion began again, but not for long. 'Loyal address be buggered!' Blake snapped. 'We tells 'im what we want, an' that's all.'

There were hearty roars, then Hulme put in harshly, 'An' that sharp 'n' quick, too. We gives 'im a time.'

The idea took root and Blake shouted, 'One day is all, lads.'

'Give 'im time — two days,' said Hulme.

'Right. We dates it fer next morning, Toosday, eight o' the clock, an' he has until eight on Thursday t' give us our reply,' Fearon said, nudging Kydd to note it down.

'We needs some time t' get it to the palace,' Davis intervened.

'Then we adds six hours t' that,' Fearon dictated.

Kydd wrote as if in a dream. To demand things of a king! They had reached the end of their hold on reality.

Parker stood up. 'Find the captain of Monmouth, if you please, Brother Davis. He's the Earl of Northesk and has the ear of the King. He is to be alongside ready for my letter to His Majesty within two hours.'

The cabinet waited in respectful silence for Pitt to begin. His strained face was sufficient warning that his news would not be in any wise good. Finally he raised his eyes, his voice unnaturally soft. 'By Admiralty telegraph I have received the most appalling news.' He broke off to cough harshly into his handkerchief. 'This morning at dawn the remainder of the North Sea fleet went over to the mutineers.' Spencer went white.

'So there is no mistaking the situation. I will go over the main points. At the moment there is at our most vulnerable point a battle fleet fully armed and manned by desperate men, larger by far than even Jervis and Nelson had at St Vincent. With the final rising there is now no chance whatsoever that any force can be brought to bear to end this situation.

'We have endured this blockade as long as we can. Our losses are catastrophic and there are no more reserves. And now Captain the Earl of Northesk has brought the final disgrace, an ultimatum addressed to the King himself. I will attend His Majesty after this meeting.'

He paused, choosing his words. 'The mutineer chief now has a number of possibilities, all of which are deadly to this country. He can sail wherever he wishes, and menace whoever he will. He is untouchable. He may wish to use this power to threaten us, and by that I include the promise to deliver his fleet to the enemies of this country, France, the Dutch, any. I need hardly say that, in that event, England is certain of defeat. I confess before you now that I can no longer see any further act of significance that can have any effect on the outcome of this miserable affair.'