of the ring-leaders, Captain Brisbane placed a rope about his neck, and apparently was proceeding to immediate execution. His object, however, being only to inspire terror, and to convince the crew that he was not to be intimidated, he relaxed from the threatened infliction of justice; but, while the rope was yet round the culprit’s neck, he solemnly declared to him, that, if he ever again ventured to open his mouth against his King or Country, or in disobedience to the commands of his officers, the yard-arm should inevitably be his portion. This imperative proceeding on the part of Captain Brisbane shook the guilty resolutions of the mutineers; and by a continued firmness, they were happily restored to a state of subordination.
The mutiny having also broken out at the Cape, Rear-Admiral Pringle sent a 20-gun ship down to St. Helena, expressly to recall Captain Brisbane, that he might resume the command of the Tremendous; the crew of that ship having risen upon their officers, and turned their commander on shore[1].
Captain Brisbane immediately complied with the wishes of the Commander-in-Chief, and continued in the Tremendous till 1798, when he accompanied that officer to England in the
- ↑ It was on board the Tremendous, that the mutiny first made its appearance at the Cape of Good Hope. The ship’s company, charging her commander, Captain George Hopewell Stephens, with cruelty and misconduct, at first threatened to bring him to a court-martial, composed of members chosen from amongst themselves. Captain Stephens, feeling this as an imputation upon his honor and character as an officer, afterwards requested a court-martial upon his conduct, which was accordingly held on board the Sceptre, in Table Bay, and he was honorably acquitted.
For a time, the mutineers, having obtained a pardon, returned to their duty; but the flame of discontent having been only smothered, not extinguished, it burst forth again with redoubled violence, extending to the Sceptre, and to some other ships. A council was immediately held on shore, wherein it was wisely determined by Admiral Pringle, Lord Macartney, the Governor of the colony, and General Dundas, who commanded the military stationed at the Cape, to use force, and the most decisive measures, for quelling it and bringing the ring-leaders to punishment; all the batteries were instantly manned, and upwards of 100 pieces of cannon pointed at the Tremendous, the Admiral’s ship, on board which the mutiny was at the greatest height; the furnaces were heated, and hot shot prepared to fire on her as she lay at anchor off the Amsterdam battery, if the mutineers should refuse to deliver up the ringleaders, and return to
