and crew, were tried by court-martial, and all fully acquitted. In the course of the evidence it appeared, that the schooner was anchored in clear ground, and partly sheltered by the Breakwater; that when she struck, the staysail was hoisted, which laid her broadside to the rocks: and by good management on the part of Lieutenant Little, the crew were all saved except one man, William Kells, who was crushed to death by the side of the vessel in getting on shore; and that Lieutenant Little did not quit his post till he had seen every officer, man, and woman out of her. The Court having considered all the circumstances, pronounced that the loss of the Telegraph was occasioned by the violence of the gale, and the insufficiency in the length of the cables, and weight of some of her anchors; that no blame whatever was attributable to Lieutenant Little, his officers and crew, for their conduct on this occasion; but, on the contrary, that great praise was due to Lieutenant Little, for his coolness and judgment in the management of the vessel, by which the lives of the crew were saved.
That Lieutenant Little’s conduct on this occasion was highly approved by the Admiralty, is evident from his having been immediately afterwards appointed to the command of the Pigmy schooner, and subsequently to the Hind revenue cruiser, in which latter vessel he continued until the summer of 1820, as will be seen by the following correspondence:–
* * * * * * “In justice to the merits of Lieutenant John Little, who has completed his three years in the command of the Hind revenue cutter, we take the liberty of laying before your Lordship a copy of a report we made by the last post to our Board on the subject of his valuable and meritorious services. We are, &c.
“J. Laffer.”
“Right Hon. Viscount Exmouth,
“Commander-in-chief, &c. Plymouth.”
(Copy) No. 413.
