Narcissus

Posted by Brian on Monday 26th of May 2014 16:57

The Gentleman's magazine. v. 52 (1782).
By a letter from on board the Narcissus frigate, dated off Cape Hattoras on the American coast, in my last, a very dangerous conspiracy had been formed on board that ship, and very fortunately discovered just as it was about to be carried into execution. One Wood and fifty others were to ride in the night, murder the officers, and make themselves master of the ship, which they were then to carry into a rebel port. Accordingly, one of the Quartermasters, about 10 at night heard a confused noise and muttering under his hammock which gave him reason to suspect a mutiny. He instantly rose and acquainted the officer on watch, when all hands were turned out in the very moment when the conspirators wee ready to complete their plot. Two of the number turned Kings evidence, and the rest were secured and put in irons. The ship immediately bore away to New York, where, after a trial by court martial, six were sentenced to be hanged on the yard arm, which was accordingly put into execution; and Wood, the ringleader was sentenced to be hung in chains. The rest were severely punished, and put on board different ships.