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The Kentucky Gazette
Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
Reports of ongoing mutiny in the British fleet at Sheerness and the Nore in June 1797. Sailors hoist red flags, seize provisions, block the Thames to press grievances amid Dutch fleet threat. Troops mobilize; situation tense and unresolved.
Merged-components note: These components cover the same subject matter on the British fleet mutiny, with the page 3 component providing a continuation and update on the events described in the page 2 component.
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SHEERNESS. June 4.
This place continues in the same awful uncertainty it has been in for some days past. I have not learnt that any correspondence between the Fleet and garrison has taken place this day. Every preparation for defence has been made, and the town is at present filled with troops. The road to Sheerness is patrolled by parties of horse, and every carriage searched. About an hour ago a flag of truce arrived at the pier with the captain of the Montague. Whether he was forced or requested to leave the fleet, I know not. The navigation of the Thames is wholly obstructed : and within this hour I have heard at least 100 rounds of shot, for the purpose of bringing vessels to.
The sailors declare their determination not to be starved out, and they have accordingly landed and carried off some sheep from the isle of Grain, in consequence of which a force has been sent there. The red flag is hoisted in the whole fleet of nearly thirty ships. Heaven alone knows what will be the result of this business; but it is evident that for things to remain in this doubtful state many days longer, is impossible.
Last night they seized on a hoy laden with three hundred sacks of flour.& another laden with wheat for London, both of which cargoes they divided among the ships, and liberated the captains and crews with the vessels. The captains are now with the port-admiral, giving evidence as to the facts.
Our latest accounts from London are to June 13th. By them we learn that the mutiny on board the fleets at Sheerness and the Nore are far from being quelled—that the delegates sent on shore to the Admiral a declaration, stating their intention of blocking up the river Thames, they gave as their reason for this, that as the Dutch fleet was on the point of sailing, they were determined to have their grievances settled, and would bring things to an extremity at once—after which the Sandwich, Inspector, Brilliant & Swan got under way, and moored at equal distances across the mouth of the Thames, soon after, several vessels standing down the river, were obliged to come to, and anchor, near the ships of the mutineers.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Sheerness
Event Date
June 4 To June 13th
Key Persons
Outcome
mutiny ongoing; thames navigation obstructed and blocked by ships including sandwich, inspector, brilliant, and swan; provisions seized; no casualties reported.
Event Details
Fleet at Sheerness in mutiny with red flags on nearly thirty ships; sailors seize sheep and provisions from vessels; flag of truce with captain of Montague; troops and patrols in town; later accounts confirm mutiny at Sheerness and Nore not quelled, delegates declare intent to block Thames due to Dutch fleet threat and unresolved grievances; ships moor across Thames mouth, forcing vessels to anchor.