"One Samuel Caradise, who had been committed to the House of Correction, in Kendal, and there confined as a vagabond, until put on board a King's ship, agreeable to the late Act, sent for his wife, the evening before his intended departure. He was in a cell, and she spoke to him through the iron door. After which, he put his hand underneath, and she with a mallet, and chissel, concealed for the purpose, struck off a finger and thumb, to render him unfit for His Majesty's service."—(Times, Nov. 3, 1795.)
"All superfluous ornaments to the heads, and sterns, of King's ships are, we understand, in future to be discontinued. Instead of a figure at the head, a scroll is to be substituted, and the sterns are to be as plain as possible."—(Times, Sept. 9, 1796.)
"The Navy Board have given orders, that ships of war shall be ornamented with carved work at their heads, and sterns, as formerly, which mode, some months since, had been suspended."—(Times, Oct. 6, 1797.)
"Anecdote of Captain Drury of the 'Powerful.'
"About an hour before the action with the Dutch Fleet, he assembled his men, and thus addressed them:—'You are a set of damned, blackguard, mutinous, rascals, and you know I think so of you all: we shall soon see whether you have any courage: I have only this to say to you, you see the Dutch ship that we shall soon be along-side: if you don't silence her in 40 minutes, I shall know what to think of you.—Now return to your quarters.' Turning to the Master, he said, 'Do you take care that these rascals, may not have to complain that they were not near enough.' In 20 minutes the Dutch ship struck her colours, and the 'Powerful' bore away to assist the 'Venerable.' After the action, the Captains of the fore-castle came aft, and asked Capt. Drury if he still considered them a rascally set? 'No,' said Capt. D., 'your behaviour has perfectly satisfied me.' 'Will you then shake hands?' said the men, which he did most heartily, and assured them that he should never reproach them again for what had passed, and would, on his part, entirely forget that anything had ever happened. They then gave him three cheers, and, now, Capt. Drury is almost idolized by the crew."—(Times, Nov. 16, 1797.)
"The French Government has ordered 16 sail of the line, 18 frigates, and 12 ships of war of a smaller size to be built. Good news this for Old England! It saves us the trouble and expense of building them ourselves, as they are sure to find their way into our ports."—(Times, Nov. 26, 1798.)
"Lord Camelford.
"By the Leeward Island Mail, which arrived yesterday, we have received some very circumstantial advices of what passed in the West Indies, respecting Lord Camelford, who was tried by a Court Martial, on the 13th of January last, at Fort Royal Bay, for the murder of Lieut. Peterson, and acquitted.
"Antigua, January 23, 1798.
"On the 13th inst. died, at English Harbour, Charles Peterson, Esq., first Lieutenant of H.M. ship Perdrix. This event was occasioned by a dispute between the deceased, and Lord Camelford, upon the right of commanding at English Harbour. Lord Camelford commanded H.M. sloop-of-war the Favourite, by virtue of an order, or warrant, from Admiral Harvey; and Mr. Peterson, though an older Lieutenant than Lord Camelford, had lately served on board that ship under his command, but, having been removed to the Perdrix, and Lord Camelford not having a commission as Master, and Commander, Mr. Peterson, being then at English Harbour, supposed himself to be the Commanding Officer, and, under that idea, issued some orders to Lord Camelford, which were answered by other orders from Lord C. to Mr. P. Upon Mr. Peterson's refusal to obey these orders, a Lieutenant with a party of Marines were sent to put him under arrest, and Mr. P. prepared for resistance, and ordered the crew of the Perdrix to arm in his defence. But, before any conflict took place, Lord Camelford arrived, went up to Mr. P., demanded if he would obey his orders, or not, and, upon being answered in the negative, he immediately shot him dead upon the spot. An inquest was taken by the Coroner, the next day; but the Jury, not being willing to take upon themselves the determination of the question upon whom the command at English Harbour had devolved, found only that the deceased had been shot by Lord Camelford, in consequence of a mutiny."—(Times, April 11, 1798.)