Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-05-27

ou1y, d1o LIS majesty WOulQ nave no
more loyal or faithful subjects. The re.
forms they asked were as follows:
-Ftrst-An increase of pay and an in
crease of rations, both of which thew
claimed to be inadequate.
Sec0nd-A more equal division of prize
money, giving the common sailor a rea-
sonable share of the spoils of war.
1hsr1-A speedy adjustment of all ar
rears and more prompt payments in tae
future.
FoMrth-Liberty to go more frequently
on shore when not on duty, and less petty
tyranny on shipboard
This paper was laid before the British
Admiralty, and brief note sent in reply
stating that no intercourse whatever
would be held with them so long as they
maintained their present insurgent atti-
tude, and that unconditional submission
must precede negotiations.
While all this was transporting the fleet
lay off Sheerness, and the crews were
daily on shore, where they paraded with
much show and stirring music, carrying
a red flag, the usual hue of insubordina-
ton. On the 22d of May, however,
troops were sent to Sheerness and, the
mutineers were confined to the irvessels
Here they soon grew restless, and, the
Government still refusing to enter into
any negotiations with them, they re-
solved to enforce their demands. Ac-
cordingly the mutinous fleet was put in
fighting trim, Richard Parker, President
of the congress, called to the command,
when they moved down to the mouth of
the Thames, formed in ne across the
channel and announced the blockade of
London.
Not British vessel was permitted to
enter the city or depart from it, but all
attempting it were seized and held in the
name of Parker, to whom his followers
had given the title of Admiral" the
foreign vessels were given pass signed
by the insurgent commander, and, thus
protected, proceeded on their way. It
was not long before the vessels held by
Parker were enumerated by hundreds,
Oh
zy of alarm. It was new sensation
for the British capital to be in state of
siege. But the Government was still
without the force necessary to compel
respect for it's authority; it, however,
firmly refused to hold any intercourse
with the insurgents, leaving them to re
fleet during the inaction on the terrible
nature of the offense, and the attitude of
hostility they had assumed against their
country, the Parliament and the King.
At this time the force of the insurgents
was truly formidable, comprising not less
than twenty-four ships of War, carrying,
in the aggregate, nearly 1000 guns,
manned by fully $4,000 men; and short
time after this they were joined by six
frigates from the Texal, which had been
sent home by Admiral Duncan for re-
pairs. AS soon as they became aware of
the reforms their shipmates were strug-
Cling for they too hoisted the red flag,
and sent their officers on shore with an
address demanding similar concessions.
The London vessels which were detained
soon formed vast fleet, representing
millions upon millions of wealth. No
violence was done to the property, but
the determination was announced to hold
the prizes until the Government should
accede to their demands. To make sure
that none should escape the war vessels
were formed into a hollow square, with
in which the prizes were taken, and the
broadsides of the men-of-War turned
upon them. Over 500 ships were thus
guarded.
Though the Government had not the
means at hand to instantly crush out the
mutiny, it was not entirely idle. Every
buoy al the mouth of the Thames and
along the coast was removed, and the in
surgent vessels dared scarcely move a
league from their anchorage for fear of
grounding. This compelled them to in
action and had most depressing effect
upon their spirits. Having nothing 10
do but reflect, they soon became exceed
lngly nervous over the situation; they
knew that the public opinion, the law,
and the power of the nation were against
them, and that submission and punish
ment must inevitably come. Even the
boldest commenced to weaken and cast
about for some avenue whereby they
might return to duty.
The officers, who, though deprived of
their arms and all command, had been
retained on board their respective ships,
were not slow in discovering this feeling
and gave it every possible encourage
ment The officers of the frigate Clyde
were particularly Jealous in this and
perfected plot with part of the crew
by which the vessel was seized on the
30th of May, the red flag of the insurgents
hauled down and the insurgent fleet de-
serted. The vessel was fired upon and
pursued for some distance bat finally
| escaped up the river. A few days after
the st. Florence was also carried off by
| a combination of the officers with por-
ton of the crew and was brought safely
up to the London dock. The 4th of
June was the Kings birthday, and the
| insurgents showed their loyalty by fir