Sapphire

Posted by Brian on Tuesday 10th of June 2014 21:49

Publication date:15 September 1670
London, September 17
Yesterday was held a Court-Marshal on board his Majesty's yacht called the Be?an in the River of Thames near Tower wharf for the tryal of Captain John Pierce, Commander of his Majesty's late ship Saphire, unfortunately lost the 31st of March last upon the coast of Sicily, and of his Lieutenant Andrew Logan; where upon diligent examinations and inquisitions, it was clearly and fully evidenced by the testimony of 12 credible witnesses upon oath, that the said ship was basely and shamefully lost through the default and cowardice of the said Captain and Lieutenant, who upon the approach of 4 sail, supposed to be Turks men of war, being possessed with a panic fear, ordered the ship to run from them, refusing to let go the anchor, till the ship was struck, contrary to the sense, not only of the Master and Purser who persuaded them to fight, the ship being in a fit posture, but of the whole company, who declared their readiness and desire of it by their cheerful acclamation; upon these and other evidences, the said Captain and Lieutenant were, by a general and unanimous consent adjudged and sentenced to be shot to death on Monday the 26th inst. on board any of his Majesty's ships or vessels of war, according as the President of that Court, Sir. Jeremiah Smith should direct.