The Sun.
London, England, 1861-09-17 00:00:00

TRIAL OF A SEAMAN FOR STRIKING

AN OFFICEI?.

PORTSMOUTH, MONDAY.
A court-martial assembled on board the flagship
Victory, in Portsmouth harbour, this morning, for
the trial of John Greer, able seaman on board
H.M.S. Excellent, gunnery-ship, at this port, on
the following charges: Ist, for having on the 9th
inst. made a blow at, and struck, Lieutenant Ken-
nedy, his superior officer, while in the execution of
his duty, such conduct being a breach of the 16th
article of war ; 2d, for having made use of threaten-
ing language to Lieutenant Singer, he being at
the same time commanding officer of the said ship,.
such conduct being a breach of the 16th article of
war. The court was composed of Captains Thomas
Wilson (president), Cummings, C. oote, and Sec-
combe, and Commander Bonham, with Mr. Edward
Hoskins, of Gosport, as officiating Deputy Judge-
Advocate. Captain R. S. Hewlett, C. 8., of H.MSS.
Excellent, conducted the prosecution.
Lieut. Andrew James Kennedy deposed that he
was doing duty on board the Excellent on the morn-
ing of the 9th inst., when the prisoner pre-
sented himself to pass in the third instruction
of gunnery. He (witness) was the examining
officer, and finding that he did not know his instruc-
tions, he ordered him to fall out from the gun, and
go to the middle deck, to wait till he came there.
He then turned his back to speak to the instructor,
and while he was doing so he heard very violent
language, and that a man was rushing towards
him. He turned round, and threw up his arm,
when he received a blow on it and also on the back
of the neck, from the prisoner. He was at once
secured, and taken to the middle deck.

By the Court—The prisoner was perfectly sober
at the time. He had never seen the prisoner before
that morning.
Mr. Morton Singer, first lieutenant of the Excel-
lent, deposed that on the morning in question he
was doing duty as commanding officer on board
that vessel. Between nine and ten o'clock on that
morning a report was made to him, and the prisoner
was brought to the middle deck. By his order Lieu-
tenant Kennedy came up, and he asked him what
charge he had to make against the prisoner.
Lieutenant Kennedy stated that he was passing a
number of men, among whom was the prisoner,
from the third instruction, and finding on trial that
the prisoner was very deficient in his work, he re-
jected him, and went on with his duty in passing
the other men. In a few minutes afterwards he felt
some one touch his shoulders, and he was then
aware that a blow was being made at him. He put
up his arm, and he received the blow on his arm
and on the back of his neck. He then perceived
that it was the prisoner who had struck
the blow. After Benjamin Marshall had corrobo-
rated this statement, he ordered the prisoner to be
put in irons. Prisoner then became very riotous,
abused Lieut. Kennedy, and threatened that he
would knock his head off and rip his -- guts
out. On hearing this he ordered the master at arms
and the men who had him in charge to take him
below without further delay, upon which he used
similar language to him. _ _

By the -Cou'rt—He believed that the prisoner
came from leave on that morning. He had most
certainly been drinking, but he did not perceive
it until he had broken out in the riotous manner
which he had described. The prisoner had been
in the Excellent not quite six months, and during
that time, except for breaking leave, his general
conduct had been good.
Benjamin Marshall, gunner's mate of the Excel-
lent, corroborated the above evidence. The prisoner
came behind Lieut. Kennedy and made the blow at
him in full swing in a striking attitude. He did
not think that he was drunk, but he was over-
excited at the time. The prisoner struck the blow
with his clenched fist.

Corroborative evidence having been given, the
prisoner, in his defence, stated that he had been
suffering for a long time from rheumatism in the
head, and, having had leave from the ship, and
taken too much to drink before he went on board, it
so affected his head that he did not know anything
of what took place. He expressed his sorrow for
what had taken place, declared that he had no
animosity against any officer of the ship, and
threw himself upon the mercy of the court.
The court was then cleared, and after some time
, when the president
ahsakde
d elapsedthe priws
prisoner
if againheohpaendeadny
certificates to pro-
duce. The prisoner replied that he had left them
at Bombay. The court was again closed, and after
the members had seen in deliberation for a conside-
rable time the public were again admitted, when
The officiating Deputy-Judge-Advocate read the
sentence of the court, who found that both charges
were fully proved, and therefore adjudged the pri-
soner to be kept in penal servitude for the term of
ten years.

Tile prisoner, who burst into laughter on hearing
the sentence, was then removed.

THIS DAY'S MARKETS.

HAY MAI(h.STS.

SMITHFIELD.—MeTti;WIIay, £2los to £5 5s Od ; clover
do., £3 lOs to £6 Os; and straw, £1 5s to £1 12s per lead.
A slow demand.
CITMBERLAND.—MowIow hay, £2 lOs to £5 ss; clover
do., £3 lOs to £6 Os . and straw. £1 5s to •P l. 12s per load.
rau"dwet hay,raw a 1% to r.,5 ss; clown,
El 53 to x 112• per toad.,
Both hay and straw sold slowly at our quotations.
do.W,
cifirrioEscitioaiP6EL62.--OM.d
Trade steady.

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