The Angel Inn, Yarmouth • 14th November 1808, a Monday morning
The Investigation into the conduct of Lieutenant E.N. Greensword for the loss of H.M.S. Tigress last August takes place today. Although we cannot attend—why? Because it will be conducted on board one of His Majesty’s Vessels, H.M.S. Roebuck, where not only would our anonymity be jeopardised, but where we would be unlikely to fit—I can nevertheless assure your immediate access to a transcript of the Minutes of the Court once it has concluded.
As a pre-caution against the possibility of the said Minutes being recorded in brachygraphy as they were in The Case of the Stolen Gown [see Volume I, Book I, Chapter 4], I have requested the Narrative be conveyed to us in the King’s English. I have every confidence in the capacity of my Connexions to inform us of the outcome of the Court-Martial today.[1]
I have arranged for any and all news to be sent to us at the Yarmouth Bath-House Public-Room, which is near the Jetty. My reasons for selecting this Venue as the most suitable place for us to wait are two-fold. The first pertains to its splendid View.
The Public-Room has five very large windows arranged in a semicircular formation, through which one may contemplate a singular Spectacle of the Yarmouth Roads in Panorama. I admit, we will not be able to see H.M.S. Roebuck specifically, but we shall be far more comfortable than in the particular part of the Quay where she is docked.
Hence, the second reason for my choice of Venue. When Mr. Beatniffe revealed there is no coffee-room in Town, I took him at his word and quickly determined the Public-Room to be the best place for us to occupy ourselves while the Court-Martial is conducted. I am assured that guests are
accommodated with tea and coffee every morning and afternoon, a public breakfasting every Tuesday and Friday, and occasional concerts during the bathing-season: the London and country newspapers are provided; … it is an excellent lounging-place.[2]
It being Monday, we must again eat our breakfast at the Angel, but once at the Public-Room, we shall not lack for beverages or newspapers, not to mention the opportunity for a bath, while we wait for the Court-Martial to be conducted.
Figure 10: Mr. John Preston, “Picture of the Yarmouth Jetty and Roads”, from The Picture of Yarmouth &c. &c., 1819, p. 8.
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Reader, I have just received the Minutes of the Court Martial. I shall leave them in your safe hands while I hasten to my Client, who, after indulging in a Luncheon of cold boiled pork with parsley stuffing, decided to have a bath.
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Minutes of the Proceedings at a Court-Martial held on boards His Majesty’s Ship Roebuck at Yarmouth Roads on the 14th day of November 1808.
Present
George Parker Esquire, Captain of His Majesty’s Ship “Aboukir” and the Third Officer in Command of His Majesty’s Ships and Vessels at Yarmouth Roads …. President …
Captains
Norborn Thompson, Richard Curry, Samuel Warren, Mathew Forster, Nathaniel Day Cochrane
The Prisoners were brought into the court and the Evidence and Audience admitted.
Read the Order of the Right Honourable the Lord’s Commissioners of the Admiralty
Dated the 11th Day of November and directed to George Parker Esq. Captain of His Majesty’s Ship “Aboukir” and third officer in Command of His Maj. Ships and Vessels at Yarmouth Roads to try Lieutenant Edward Nathaniel Greensword, the Officers and Crew belonging to His Maj. Late Gun Brig “Tigress” for their conduct at the capture of the said Gun Brig as stated in a letter from Lieutenant Edward Nathaniel Greensword dated the 8th day of August 1808.
Then the members of the Court and the Judge Advocate in open court and before they proceeded to trial respectively took the Oaths directed by Act of Parliament.
A letter from Edward N. Greensword was then read [See Chapter 3].
Lieutenant E.N. Greensword asked by the Court:
Court: Have you any cause or complaint against the Officers or Crew of His Maj. late Gun Brig Tigress?
Answer: No.
Lieutenant Greensword was then called on by the Court for his defence or narrative which was read by the Judge Advocate as follows;
Narrative of the capture of His Majesty’s late Gun Brig Tigress
I was ordered by Captain Graves of His Majesty’s Ship Brunswick to proceed with dispatches for Sir James Saumarez Vice Admiral of the Blue etc. etc. etc. and weighed for that purpose by signal at about ½ past 9 A.M. on the 2nd of August last: at half past 6 P.M. in falling calm and finding the Current to set to Slaaland, I anchored with the Stream keeping the Sails to the Masthead ready to take advantage of any Breeze that might arise.
The N.W. Point of Langeland Cove …………. N ¾ E
Omoe ……………………………………………………………….. N.E. by E
Easternmost Point of Slaaland ………………… S.E. ¼ S
Continuing calm I apprehended an attack from the Gun Boats and had the Vessel ready for Action. At sunset Mr. Spence the Second Master and Mr. Marks the Midshipman went with Glasses to the Mast Head but couldn’t perceive them.
At 10 P.M. a light air springing up from the S.W. whilst weighing the anchor some of the Danish Gun Boats were perceived advancing toward: The night was exceedingly dark (though there was a moon) insomuch that they were within Gun Shot before discovered. I immediately ordered the Cable and Spring to be cut and only being able to count four or five in the first instance I laid too to engage them, the Guns being ready primed. We had the first Fire; but their numbers increasing upon us and their shot doing great execution, I thought it my duty to take advantage of a better Breeze that sprang up to put the Vessel before the wind in which direction the “Edgar” laid at about ten or twelve mile distance and endeavour to make my escape. I cannot be positive to the time I lay too but I think it was about thirty minutes.
When I attempted to set Studding Sails, I found most part of the Studding Sail Geer was shot away, but we succeeded in reeving the Geer anew and got the Sails set with exception of the Starboard ones forward, the Foreyard Arm being shot away. The Breeze however died away, I had the Cutter ahead towing, but they still closed upon us. After contending with and endeavouring to escape from them for about 50 minutes, finding they had formed a compact circular line, the centre of which right astern within Pistol Shot and pulling up to board.
I called for the opinion of Lieutenant Everard (of the Centaur) and Mr. Spence the Second Master, whether we could defend the Vessel any longer: they considering the Vessel’s being reduced nearly to a Wreck both in Hull and Rigging and the disparity of Force being so immense that it could only be a useless waste of Blood to persist in a Contest without the least ray of hope of ultimate success. I took the painful resolution of surrendering the Vessel entrusted to my charge; previous however I ordered Mr. Marks who was ahead in the Cutter to effect his escape that Captain Graves might be informed of the Vessel’s fate and that his dispatches had not reached the Commander in Chief. The darkness of the night favoured him, and he succeeded in executing this order.
I beg to state that the Force I surrendered to, viz.
Sixteen Gun Boats … each manned with 64 men each:1024 men
Tigress: 12 Guns , 47 men
Sigd. Edw. N. Greensword
The Evidences ordered to withdraw except Mr. N.W. Spence, 2nd Master, who was Sworn.
Court: You have heard the narrative read. Is every part of it true?
Answer: Yes, it is.
Court: Relate to the Court the state the Tigress was in when she surrendered and position of the Enemy Gun Boats.
Answer: The topmost Backstays and lower Rigging and starboard fore Yard Arm was [sic] entirely shot away. She received two shots one each side of the stern Post about 6 inches out of the Water when we surrendered the Gun Boats were within Pistol Shot of us and I thought about fourteen in number and after we were taken found sixteen in number.
Court: Was there at the time of surrender any wind or was it calm?
Answer: Light airs she went about one knott.
Court: Was there any probability of getting away from the Gun Boats if she had continued her Course?
Answer: No, impossible.
Court: Did Lieutenant Greensword do everything in his power to defend the Vessel as long as there was any possibility of effecting her escape or contending with the enemy?
Answer: Yes, he did. There was nothing wanting on the part of Lieutenant Greensword.
Court: Do you know if the Dispatches and Signals with which Lieutenant Greensword was entrusted were destroyed previous to surrendering?
Answer: They were destroyed and all the signals.
Court: How many men had you killed or wounded?
Answer: Two killed and eight wounded.
Court: If you had not surrendered as you did, how long would it have been before they could have boarded you?
Answer: In less than five minutes.
Mr. John Ames Dublack, Pilot, Sworn
Court: You have heard the narrative read; is every part of it correct?
Answer: Yes, it is, every part.
Court: Relate to the court the state the “Tigress” was in when she surrendered and position of the Enemy’s Gun Boats.
Answer: I did not take much notice of the Rigging but I observed the Starboard fore yard arm, some of the back stays, some of the Shrouds were shot away and she received two shots abaft and two forward between wind and water … and I was ordered to steer her towards the “Edgar” and I conned her accordingly. The wheel was shot away and the QM [Quarter Master] lost his left arm. I was wounded in two or three different Places. The Gun Boats were sixteen No. and within Pistol Shot of us Astern.
Court: Was there at time of surrendering any wind or was it calm?
Answer: The Vessel did go thro [sic] the Water; she just had steerage way.
Court: Do you know if the Dispatches and Signals with which Lieut. Greensword was entrusted were destroyed previous to surrendering?
Answer: Yes, they were and signals thrown overboard and sunk.
Court: How many men were killed and wounded?
Answer: There were two killed, and one had his arm knocked off and several others beside him and myself were slightly wounded.
Court: If you had not surrendered as you did, how long would it have been before they could have boarded you?
Answer: In less than five minutes; they were so close we could have hailed them without a trumpet.
Prisoner no questions to ask
John Knight, a Royal Marine, is Sworn.
Court: You have heard the narrative. I every part of it correct?
Answer: Yes, it is true.
Court: Did Lieutenant Greensword do everything in his Power to defend the Vessel as long as there was any probability of effecting his escape or contending with the Enemy?
Answer: Yes, he did.
Court: Do you know if the Dispatches and Signals with which Lieut. Greensword was entrusted were destroyed previous to surrendering?
Answer: Yes, they were. I handed them to Lieut. Greensword and saw him throw them overboard with a weight to them.
Prisoner had no questions to ask this witness
The Prisoners having nothing more to offer in their defence, the Court was ordered cleared and proceeded to deliberate upon and for the sentence.
The court having carefully and deliberately weighed and considered the evidence produced and what the Prisoners has to allege in their defence, was of the opinion that His Maj. Lat Gun Brig Tigress was captured as stated in Lieutenant Greensword’s aforesaid letter dated the 8th of August last by Sixteen Danish Gun Boats, and that everything possible was done to defend the said Gun Brig by Lieutenant Greensword, his Officers and Company and that there was no prospect of success by further resistance.
The court was therefore of Opinion that Lieutenant Greensword, his Officers and Crew should be most honourably acquitted and who were most honourably acquitted accordingly. The Sentence was signed and read in open Court and Prisoner’s Sword returned by the President agreeable to the custom of the Service.
Thos Aldridge, Judge Advocate
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Reader, my Client and I returned to London the next day and there we parted ways. At that time, we were both unaware that the capture of H.M.S Tigress was already in the process of being immortalised by a young artist in Copenhagen. He is Christoffer Eckersberg, a student at Det Kongelige Danske Kunstakadem.
Once I caught wind of it, I naturally requested a Facsimile of the painting to reproduce in the published version of this Account. I hope my Client will be very pleasantly surprised.
Figure 21. Danish Gunboats Attacking H.M.S. Tigress at Agersø, 1808, Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, 1808. Watercolour, pen and ink, 11½in. x 17¼in.
[1] Reader, as you know, the identity of all of my Connexions in the Admiralty must remain confidential. I nevertheless extend my deepest Gratitude to Messrs. L.C. G——- and G. G——— for undertaking to ensure the Transcript of Lieut. Greensword’s Court-Martial was made available to me during the present Client’s Tour of Yarmouth.
[2] Mr. Beatniffe, p. 15.
A FAMILY TOPOGRAPHY 