PMarione Site Admin
Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 883
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:46 pm Post subject: The Court Martial of William Gibbons |
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Quote: | October 23 1812
A Court Martial took place on board the Salvador del Mundo, Hamoaze, for the trial of Lieut. William Gibbons, commanding his Majesty’s schooner Alphea, on account of the treatment experienced by one Mrs. Bentley, the wife of a corporal of marines, who was, in August last, by Lieut. Gibbons’ order, put, and left, on the warping buoy, between the a breach of the 33rd article of war.
It appeared that on the 14th of August, Lieut. G. went on board the Alphea to proceed to sea, and enquired what women were on board. He was told corporal Bentley’s wife; whom he had given positive orders should not come into the ship. Lieut. G. desired a boat to be manned to take her on shore; upon which the woman commenced the most violent abuse of Lieut. G., which induced him to say to the men, “put her no farther than the buoy; put her on the buoy.”
She was there a quarter of an hour; when a boat from the shore took her off
Lieut. G., on his defence, admitted the fact; he tought no injury could arise to her from it; did not know she was pregnant; the buoy was so large that he and 16 others had stood on it.
The Court tought that the treatment experienced by Grace Bentley, pursuant to Lieutenant Gibbons’ orders, was highly improper and reprehensible, but that the said Lieut. Gibbons has not been guilty of a breach of the 33rd article of war. The Court did, in consequence, adjuge him to be dismissed the command of his Majesty’s schooner Alphea. |
Naval Chronicle, 1812, vol 27, p 250
One can easily imagine the lady hurling insults at Lt Gibbons whilst embracing the buoy. |
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