Henry Jenkins

Notes on Officer

Portsmouth on Monday last a Court Martial was held on board the Gladiator, for the trial of Captain Henry Jenkins, late of the Ambuscade, his officers and ship's company, for the loss and capture of the said ship, in an action with the enemy in December last. After three days investigation the Court pronounced the acquittal of Captain Jenkins and his officers, for having their ship captured, which was occasioned by a most rapid succession of unfortunate events: by having the mizen-mast carried away by the enemy's bowsprit — by the wheel being rendered useless, and the tiller ropes broken - by the bursting of a gun, which wounded 11 men — by the blowing up of some powder and cartridges, which blew out the stern of the ship, carried away the jolly-boat which was hung over it, and wounding seven men — by the Captain being most dangerously wounded, and carried below — by the First Lieutenant being killed, also the Master and 11 men — by the Lieutenant of Marines being twice wounded, together with 39 men by the ship being on fire — by the explosion of the powder and cartridges - by the 2d Lieutenant being away in a prize, with several men, and the ship already being many short of her complement. After paying a just tribute to part of the ship's company, for their heroic exertions, particularly Mr. Penny, a Midshipman, about 15 years old, the Court passed some censure on the other part of the crew, for not having shewn that intrepidity, so deservedly the characteristic of British seamen, and so conspicuously shewn by some of their own men, Mabony, Hodgson and a few others. But as the evidences could not well establish those who did not behave well, and the Court fearful of involving the innocent with the guilty, acquitted the whole ship's company. Poor Captain Jenkins, from the dreadful wound he received looked extremely ill. All those who heard the trial were happy to hear him acquitted, and considered the sentence a very proper and just one.