Danae

Posted by Jon Miller on Monday 1st of June 2026 01:40

Plymouth, 26 March 1800: Early this morning a brig cartel, belonging to Bideford, appeared off the Sound, and put into a Cawsand pilot boat, eight English gentlemen, whom she had brought from Brest, and who all landed here about seven o’clock a.m. Among them were the purser, surgeon, and captain’s clerk, of his Majesty’s ship Danae, of 24 guns, Captain Lord Proby, who, being termed civilians, were permitted to return to this country. From the reports of those gentlemen, the following information has been obtained respecting the Danae: It appears that on the 17th instant she was cruizing off the coast of France, to intercept the enemy’s cruizers and coasting convoys, and that on the evening of that day, when most of the officers were below, that part of the crew, that were then upon deck, began to mutiny, and among the most active were observed eleven Frenchmen, who had been captured on board the Bordelais French privateer, but afterwards entered into the English service. These being headed by an Englishman of the name of Jackson, said to belong to Liverpool, by a private signal brought a great part of the ship’s company to their assistance, by which it evidently appears that the intention was premeditated by them. The master, who had the watch on deck, was knocked down, and made prisoner, and steps were immediately taken to secure all the officers who were below. On resistance being offered by them, the mutinous crew brought guns to bear on the cabin, and many shots were fired through the cabin before they accomplished their diabolical purpose. Captain Lord Proby and the master are said to be much wounded, by means of sabres, but it is hoped not dangerously. As soon as the mutineers had obtained complete possession of the ship, they set all the sail they could croud, and ran the ship into Brest harbour, where she was boarded by officers and men from the French ships of war lying there at anchor. When the circumstances of the case were known, orders were issued for landing the whole of the officers and crew; and it is reported, we trust it may be confirmed, that the whole of the mutinous crew are confined close prisoners at Brest; where it is generally conjectured, and even reported with confidence, that it is in contemplation to send the whole of them to England as prisoners. The officers are to be marched to Valenciennes, and were expected to set off in a few days. [Hull Packet, 1 April 1800]

London, 28 March 1800, extract of a letter from Mr Thomas Hendry, of Hull, Surgeon of the Danae:
With sincere sorrow I inform you of the loss of his Majesty’s ship the Danae. Part of the ship’s company mutinied on the 14th at half past nine a.m. and carried us into Brest the next day. It is impossible for me to describe the anxious state we were in, whilst prisoners on board, expecting them to fire down amongst us every moment. I was only a few days prisoner, being one of the civilians, together with the purser and clerk; the others remain at Pontanezen prison near Brest, which place I left on Sunday last, embarked in the evening, sailed on Tuesday morning, arrived on Wednesday in a cartel at Plymouth, and immediately set off for London, with the purser, with an official account to the Admiralty, where we arrived this morning. [Hull Packet, 1 April 1800]

Posted by Tim Oakley on Friday 19th of January 2018 19:57

2 Sep 1800 Plymouth, a Court Martial was held on board the Cambridge flag ship, in Hamoaze, on John Barnet, one of the Mutineers of the Danae, Captain Lord Probey. Barnet was discovered in Mill prison on Sunday the 24th ult. the day previous to his marching for Stapleton prison with 400 other prisoners, by Lieut. Neville Lake, first of the Danae. Mr. Cleverton, at his request, with his usual promptitude, had the prison mustered in his presence; after going through the ranks, he fixed on Barnet as the man who steered the ship into Camaret Bay, and a principal ringleader in the mutiny : it was more than probable he would have escaped, as he is a Jersey man and speaks French fluently. He was taken in La Vengeur French privateer about 3 months since. The Court Martial sentenced him, after a fair and impartial trial, to be hanged at the yardarm of such ship as the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty shall appoint. 9 Sep this morning pursuant to Orders from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the above unhappy man was conveyed on board La Pique, 38 guns. Captain Young, attended by all the boats of the fleet, manned and armed to witness the awful sight. The signal for punishment was flying from daybreak on board the Cambridge and Pique. At half past ten o'clock, the prisoner, accompanied by the Chaplain, proceeded along the gangway to the platform on the forecastle where the Provost Martial placed the rope round his neck. He then prayed fervently for some time ; after which the fatal gun fired, and he was instantly run up to the fore yard arm, a dreadful example to all Mutineers. After hanging one hour, his body was lowered into a shell, and conveyed to the Royal Naval Hospital for interment.

Posted by Brian Stephens on Saturday 12th of April 2014 21:09

E.A. June 19, 1801
Yesterday morning at 9 0'clock, Samuel Higgins, alias McDonnell, was executed on board the Zealand guard ship at the Nore, pursuance to his sentence, he having been active in a mutiny on board the Danae frigate, and assisted in carrying the ship into Brest. He behaved with the most hardened depravity.

Posted by Brian Stephens on Saturday 12th of April 2014 20:42

Edinburgh Advertiser, June 12, 1801
On Wednesday last, Lieutenant McNiven, who belonged to the Danae frigate, at the time the crew mutinied, and carried her into Brest, in passing through Wupping, met a seaman who was captain of the forecastle when the mutiny took place. He instantly seized him, and conveyed on board the tender, Tower, from whence he will be conveyed to the Nore for trial. It appeared that he had been for some time on board an American schooner,which had lain for a fortnight along side the tender. He had an American protection, and was disguised as an American with ear rings in his ears.

Posted by Tim Oakley on Thursday 7th of June 2012 21:45

Mar 14 1800 Danae 20 cap Lord Proby taken by mutineers and handed over to the French Colombe 16 and taken into Brest, Anson and Boadicea unable to rescue either officers or Vessel