Triton

Posted by James Crowden on Monday 18th of May 2020 20:07

My great great great Dennis Crowden was there at the time of the gun burst And may have been wounded. He was later discharged with a Hurt Certificate from Greenwich Hospital and pension of £16 a year. He was a quarter gunner. Jane Austen's brother Lt Francis Austen also served on board Triton September 1796 to March 1797, but he left Triton before the action with the Spanish frigates and thus dipped out of significant prize money. Hence the interest in naval officers and the prospect of prize money within Jane Austen's novels.

Posted by Tim Oakley on Tuesday 12th of May 2020 20:36

12 Mar 1801 a most melancholy accident happened on board the Triton, of 32 guns, during her late cruise off the Penmark Rocks, in chase of a cutter, as she was firing at her, the eleventh gun abaft the main mast, on the larboard side, burst, by which accident the Second Lieutenant, Mr. Alford, a gunner's mate were killed, and 18 seamen and marines badly wounded ; the deck ripped up, and the Captain's cabin much damaged. Captain Gore had Lieutenant Alford, Lieutenant Thompson, and the Purser dining with him ; on this gun being reported ready Lieutenant Alford, just went out of the cabin door, when the explosion so dreadful in its operation ................ The man who fired the gun, escaped almost unhurt. The wounded men were conveyed to the Royal Naval Hospital.13 Mar 1801 this forenoon the remains of Lieutenant Alford, and the gunner's mate, killed by the bursting of a gun on board the Triton, 32, were conveyed from the Royal Naval Hospital to Stonehouse chapel-yard, and interred with naval and military honours. Captain Gore and all the Officers attending in deep mourning. The service was performed in a solemn manner suitable to the occasion, by the Rev. J. Bidlake, A.B. Chaplain to his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence.