Hermione

Posted by Jon Miller on Sunday 19th of July 2026 18:24

Portsmouth, 18 July 1801: Tuesday last was executed upon the Puissant, Adiel Powelson, alias Henry Poulson, pursuant to his sentence, for aiding and assisting in the murder of the officers of the Hermoine [sic], and carrying that ship into Guira. William Johnson, who was tried at the same time, on a charge of assisting to carry the said ship into Guira, and received the same sentence, has since been pardoned. [Portsmouth Telegraph, 13 July 1801]

Posted by Jon Miller on Sunday 14th of June 2026 04:02

Some further particulars relative to the mutiny on-board the frigate Hermione:- When about three days out from Cape Nicola Mole, on a cruize, part of the crew were engaged handling the mizen topsail; the captain speaking sharp to them, two of the men fell from the yards; when the others came down they were reprimanded in harsh terms by the Captain, and several of them threatened with punishment; this occasioned much discontent, which continued until the next evening, when the mutiny broke out, by throwing double-headed shot, &c, about the ship, and other disorderly behaviour. The first lieutenant went down to enquire what they wanted, and was soon wounded in the arm with a tomahawk; he retired for some time, and when he returned, was knocked down with a tomahawk, his throat cut, and thrown overboard. After which the sailors proceeded to the cabin in search of the Captain, who had locked himself in, but was soon dragged out, (after having wounded two or three in defending himself with his sword,) and experienced the fate of his unfortunate lieutenant; they afterwards seized upon and murdered every officer in the ship, except a master’s mate and two midshipmen.
They then directed their course for La Guira, where they arrived under Spanish colours, and delivered the ship up to the Spanish Government, giving out that they had turned their officers adrift in their jolly boat. The Spanish have since manned the ship and sent her to sea. Our informant further adds, that the crew of the Hermione were a mixture of several nations.
Two men, named Robinson and Brown, who had been apprehended at Limehouse Hole, were examined at the public office, Shadwell, on a charge founded on an information brought by the Mary, lately arrived from Quebec, of being part of the Hermione frigate, who, after barbarously murdering Capt Pigot, several of the officers, and forty of the seamen, carried the ship into the Havannah. The magistrates ordered them to be secured, on board the tender till evidence can be obtained for identifying their persons. It is understood these men effected their escape from a Spanish prison. [Hampshire Chronicle, 6 January 1798]

Posted by Jon Miller on Sunday 31st of May 2026 16:22

Hull, 13 January 1800: Advice has been received at the Admiralty of the Hermione frigate, which ran away with by her crew in the West-Indies, having been cut out of a Spanish port by the boats of the Surprize frigate, after a gallant action on the part of the British seamen. [Hull Packet, 14 January 1800]

Posted by Tim Oakley on Monday 18th of March 2019 19:14

Sir Hyde Parker appointed Captain George Bowen President of the Court Martial of four of the captured mutineers of the Hermione - Antonio Marco, John Elliott, Joe Montell and Pierre D'Orlanie. The Court Martial was held on 17 March 1798 on board the York. All four were found guilty and condemned to death, and their execution took place on board the York on the 19th. Captain Bowen presided over a second Court Martial held on board the Carnatic, at which William Benives, William Herd, John Hill and John Brown were tried. Although charged, John Brown was allowed to turn King's Evidence. The other three were found guilty and hanged on board the Carnatic.