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Foreign News
June 26, 1777
The Newport Gazette
Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
Court martial in Portsmouth acquitted the captain of HMS Centurion for not fully escorting a Jamaica merchant fleet to England, where some vessels were captured by American privateers; blame placed on weather and merchant captains ignoring signals.
Clipping
OCR Quality
85%
Good
Full Text
Extract of a Letter from Portsmouth, April 4.
The court martial on board his Majesty's Ship Centurion held on Tuesday last, which had been called on the information of some West-India Merchants, held on board the Prince of America, in our harbour. The charge against him was, for not accompanying the last Jamaica fleet to England, of which he had the convoy, so that several of the vessels were taken by the American privateers. The trial began at nine o'clock in the morning, and lasted till four in the afternoon, when he was honourably acquitted. The court declared it to be their opinion, that the separation of the fleet was owing to very bad weather, and the captains of the vessels neglecting to obey the signals of the Centurion.
The court martial on board his Majesty's Ship Centurion held on Tuesday last, which had been called on the information of some West-India Merchants, held on board the Prince of America, in our harbour. The charge against him was, for not accompanying the last Jamaica fleet to England, of which he had the convoy, so that several of the vessels were taken by the American privateers. The trial began at nine o'clock in the morning, and lasted till four in the afternoon, when he was honourably acquitted. The court declared it to be their opinion, that the separation of the fleet was owing to very bad weather, and the captains of the vessels neglecting to obey the signals of the Centurion.
What sub-type of article is it?
Naval Affairs
Trade Or Commerce
Piracy Or Privateering
What keywords are associated?
Court Martial
Hms Centurion
Jamaica Fleet
American Privateers
Acquittal
Convoy Separation
Where did it happen?
Portsmouth
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Portsmouth
Event Date
April 4
Outcome
honourably acquitted; separation due to bad weather and captains neglecting signals
Event Details
Court martial on board HMS Centurion for not accompanying Jamaica fleet convoy, leading to captures by American privateers; trial lasted from 9 AM to 4 PM.