By John G. M. Sharp
At USGenWeb Archives
All rights reservedOn the evening of 21 September 1797, at 11 P.M., half dozen angry members of frigate HMS Hermione crew, their courage fueled on a stolen bucket of rum, rushed to Captain Hugh Pigot's cabin, smashed the door, and forced their way in.1
1. Pope, Dudley, The Black Ship (Henry Holt, New York, 1998), p. 156.
Captain Hugh Pigot, 1802After overpowering the marine guards stationed outside, they hacked at Captain Pigot with cutlasses or tomahawks and one man with a musket and bayonet before throwing him overboard.2, 3 Two of the mutineers, American, Able Seaman John Farrel of New York and Bosun's Mate, Thomas Nash, of Waterford, Ireland took significant leadership roles during the mutiny.4
2. Confession of Joseph Montell, March 1798, ADM 1/248, p. 16.
3. Pope, p. 157.
4. Hannibal in Port Royal Harbour Jamaica on Thursday the 15 August 1799 for the Trial of Thomas Nash one of the Mutineers of His Majesty's late Ship Hermione (Court Martial James Irwin (Irvin), John Holford, Senior, John Holford, Jr. – PRO ADM 1/5344 May 23, 1798 British National Archives.
