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The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
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In Gibraltar, the first lieutenant of the HMS Isis fatally shot the ship's purser during a shooting wager ashore, resulting in the purser's leg amputation, death from mortification, and the lieutenant's trial and guilty verdict with sentence respited pending royal decision.
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The first Lieutenant of the Isis went out a few days ago to shoot gulls; but not having killed any, the Purser laughed at him, and told him he was but a bad marksman. The Lieut. answered, he could shoot as well as any person in the garrison.
The Purser replied, I'll hold you half a guinea that you don't hit me with a single Ball at the distance of 40 Yards: Done, says the Lieutenant, and let us immediately go ashore and try.
Accordingly they both went ashore to the dock yard, and the Lieut., measured out the Ground: and there being a wooden Horse for the support of the Cables, he rested his piece on it and aimed at the Purser at the Dock gate. The Sentinel asked him what he was going about? he answered only to shoot an old Purser that is weary of his Life. He then called to the Purser (who stood facing him) to know if he was ready? who answered he was; on which he fired. and the ball tore the Purser's foot and leg, in so terrible a manner, that the Surgeon was obliged to cut off his Leg immediately: A mortification ensued, and the old man next day gave up the ghost. The Lieutenant yielded up himself a prisoner directly, and yesterday he was tried and found guilty; but his sentence is respited till his Majesty's Pleasure is known. -- He said but little at his trial: his own captain and several others, gave him a very good character.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Gibraltar
Event Date
March 10
Key Persons
Outcome
purser's leg torn by ball, amputated immediately, mortification ensued, died next day; lieutenant tried, found guilty, sentence respited till his majesty's pleasure is known.
Event Details
The first Lieutenant of the Isis went out to shoot gulls but failed; Purser mocked him, leading to a half-guinea bet that the Lieutenant could not hit the Purser at 40 yards. They went ashore to the dock yard; Lieutenant rested his piece on a wooden horse and fired at the Purser at the dock gate, tearing his foot and leg terribly. Surgeon amputated the leg; mortification followed, and Purser died next day. Lieutenant surrendered as prisoner, tried yesterday, found guilty but sentence respited. He received good character from his captain and others.