Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1921-08-18
CHAPTER XII.
To the West Indies.

A fortnight later the mutiny at the
More shook and bewildered the British
isles.
The day after Richard Parker WIS.,
tied the Ariadne the fleet had been put
under the control of the seamen's Del
egates, who were men of standing in
the ships, and of personal popularity.
Their first act was to declare that the
fleet should not leave port until the
mems demands were satisfied.
The government had armed the forts
at Sheerness, had sent troops and guns
to Gravesend and Tilbury. and had de-
Clared war upon the rebellious fleet.
At the head of the Delegates, Rich
ard Parker, with an officers knowl-
edge, became kind of bogus admiral,
who, in interviews with the real adj
mirals and the representatives of the
admiralty board, talked like one who,
having power, meant to- use it ruth
lesSly. The government had yielded to
the Spithead mutineers, giving pardon
to all except the ringleaderS, and
granting demands for increased wages
and better food, with promise to con-
slider the question of prize-money; but
the More mutineers refused to accept
that agreement, and enlarged the
Spithead demands.
The Delegates demanded a deputa-
ton from the admiralty, Parker de-
claring that no accommodation could
occur without the appearance of the
lords of the admiralty at the More.
Then followed threatening arrange
ments, and the Delegates decided to
blockade the Thames and the Med
way.
1t was at this time that Dyck Cal
hOun-whO by consent of Richard
Parker, had taken control of the
Ariadne-took action which was to al
ter the course of his own life and that
of many others.
Since the beginning of the mutiny
he had acted with decision, judgment
and strength. He had agreed to the
Ariadne joining the mutinous ships
and he had skillfully constructed peti.
tons to the admiralty, the house of
commons and the king. His habit of
thought, his knowledge of life, made
him a power. He believed that the
main demands of the seamen were
Just, and he made a useful organiza.
ton to enforce them. 1t was only
when he saw the mutineers would not
accept the terms granted to the Spit
head rebels that a new spirit influ
enced him.
He had determined to get control Of
the Ariadne. His gift as a speaker
had conquered his fellow-sailors, anC
the fact that he was an ex-convict
gave them confidence that he was NJ
friend of the government.
One of the first things he did, aftel
securing his own pre-eminence on tn,
ship, was to get the captain and Off
GERS safely ashore. This he did will
skill, and the crew of the ship ever
cheered them as they left.
None of the regular officers of tn,
Aradne were left upon her, excep
Greenock, the master of the ship
whose rank was below that of lieuten
ant and whose duties were many ant
varied under the order of the captain
Greenock chose to stay, though Dycl
said he could go If he wished. Green
Ock's reply was that 1t was his duty t.
stay, if the ship was going to remain
at sea, for no one else could perform
his duties or do his work.
Then, by vote, Dyck became captain
of the ship. He would not have az
cepted the doubtful honor had he nc
had long purposes in view. Wit
Ferens, Michael Clones, and tw
others whom Ferens could trust,
plan was arranged which Dyck eA
planned 10 his fellow-seamen on tn
Ariadne