Norwich bulletin., 1922-02-25
FAMOUS TRIALS
vlcE.ApMIRAL CALDER


The trial of the distinguished naval
commander, Sir Robert Calder. a vice
admiral of the British navy, differed
from those of Byng, Sackville and
KeppeL already treated in this SERIES
in this. that it was not set on foot
by an angry or partial Government,
but arose entirely from the oversen-
sitiveness of the gallant admiral him
self, who could not submit to some un-
Favorable remarks which were made
on his conduct for not pushing to the
utmost the victory he had gained.
Calder had defeated, in a great ma
val encounter, the combined fleets of
France and Spain, but he had not
completely crushed the enemy. Unfor-
tunately this occurred in the very cen
ter of Nelson's triumphs when not
only that hero, but the whole British
people might, to use Napoleons term,
be called the spoilt children Of vic
tory"
Calder, it was admitted, had acted
with courage and sagacity. but he had
not shown the peculiar-tte almost su :
general murmur. Nelson himself told
pernatural daring of Nelson; hence the
him not to mind the outcry, but to
fight on. He unwisely did not follow
the advice, but called for court mar
tial, and brought upon himself a sad
and unforeseen result.
The sea fight in which he had en-
gagged with so much distinction &C.
CURED in July 1905. After its conclu-
sion with victory to the British navy
the vice admiral was conscious that he
had done his duty and thought he mer-
tied the appreciation of his country
His services were fully appreciated BY
his commander. Admiral CORVALLIS
but unfortunately, a different estimate
/ was formed at home.
The British nation had lately beer
pampered with naval victories; the
Lords of the Admiralty murmured, ani
because the enemy had not been com
p1etely worsted, it was alleged that the
honor Of the British flag had been sui.
1 lied. Bitter represen tations to this ef
feet had been set forth in the public
prints, and when these reached tn.
| vice admiral their effects to his hon
| orabIe spirit may be easily imagined
Calder Immediately -dema AIDED z pub.
lie trial from the Lords of The Admiral
ty, whereupon he returned to Spit
head in the Prince Of Wales. on boarc
of which a court martial Assem- blet
on the 23d OF December. 1905.
The officers who sat in the cour
martial were Admiral Montague, pres
ident; vice adnairals. John Holloway
Bartholomew Samuel Rowley and Ed
ward, Thornborough. read adrntrals. ST
Isaac Coffin and John Sutton; cap
tains James Bissett. Robert bud e
Oliver, John Irwin, James Athol Wood
John Scatter. Hon. Thomas Baden Ca
pei and John Larmour, with deput
, judge advocate of the fleet, Mr.. Greet
nam. as prosecutor.
The witnesses in the trial were IN
adrnirals and captains under him In tn
! engagement. The point at issue wa
I brief. and simply this: did or di
, not the admiral do his best to reney
the battle which had already gvne i
MS favor" The witnesses for the pros
tecution inferred. rather than positivel
said. he did not: the witnesses &c
Calder, to a man asserted that a re
newal OF the fight was Beyond b
power.
! on Thursday. Dec. &c. 1905. Sir Rob
: ert Calder delivered a long addret
defending himself which was favora
, bly, received, and 1t was followed b
testimony by nine officers who VII
messed the engagement and spoil
, strongly in favor of the vice-adm.l
j and bore out the view that he couI
4 not renew the engagement.
: Notwithstanding this testimony an
/ to the surprise Of most present al
\ the public generally the Court can
y to an adverse decision. It's judgmel
] was this: 1.-THE Court Is OF the opir
g ion that the charge Of not having dor
n his utmost to renew the said engag,
d ment and to take and destroy eve,
i ship Of the enemy. has been prove
q against the said vice admiral, Sir RI
4 bert Calder, that it appears that h
. conduct has not been actuated eth
It by cowardice or dissatisfaction, b
a was risen solely from error of judi
" ment and is highly censurab BILE, al
doth adjudge him to be severely re-
= rimanded; and the said vice admir-
h Is hereby severely reprimanded q
o cording1y."
" When the sentence was pronounc
i. Sir Robert appeared deeply affecte
" and turning around he retired wit
8. out word. He was accompanied by
It number of his friends. and on descen,
" ing from the deck of the Prince
g Wales into his barge, he scarcely lii
is ed up his head, which was apparent
70 bowed down by the weight Of the Sc
l. tence upon him This judgment Of I
. court martial has been since look
> upon by nost naval writer's, Il not
r quite erroneous at least as extreme
i ksevere. The sentence was never pop
K. Tar with the rank and file Of Enslis
II men.