Bonetta

Posted by Jon Miller on Saturday 30th of May 2026 15:36

We have much plesure in stating that the crews of the Lowestoffe frIgate and the six merchantmen which were wrecked with her on the Heneaga Rocks, have arrived safe at Jamaica on board the Bonetta sloop of war, which has also saved nearly all of a large quantity of dollars that were on board the frigate. [London Courier, 24 October 1801]

Posted by Tim Oakley on Friday 30th of December 2016 20:06

12 Jan 1802 a Court Martial was held on board the Cumberland, Captain Bayntum, in Port Royal, Jamaica, to try Thomas New, Esq. late Commander of HM late sloop Bonetta, and such of the Officers and Crew as were at Port Royal, for having ran the said sloop Bonetta on a shoal near the east end of the Jardines, P.M. on the 25 Oct last, where she bilged and overset ; and having examined the conduct of Captain New, and of such of the Officers and Crew of his Majesty's late sloop Bonetta as were at that port, and very maturely and deliberately considered the whole of the evidence and information produced, the Court is of opinion that no blame is to be attached to Captain New, the Officers and Crew, except Lieutenant Goakman, who had the charge of the watch at the time the ship run aground. And that it appears that Captain New, the Officers and Crew, did their utmost to save his Majesty's late sloop Bonetta and her stores after she was run on the shoals called the Jardines. The Court doth therefore adjudge that the said Thomas New, Esq. late Commander of his Majesty's late sloop Bonetta, and such of the Officers and ship's company of the said sloop as were then at Port Royal, be acquitted in the fullest manner from any blame for the loss of his Majesty's said sloop Bonetta, and they are hereby fully acquitted accordingly.

17 Jan 1802 a Court Martial was also held on board HM ship Cumberland in Port Royal Harbour, Jamaica, H. W. Bayntum, Esq. President, On the 17th of January, and continued by adjournment until the 19th, on Mr. Goakman, Second Lieutenant of his Majesty's late sloop Bonetta, for being the cause of the loss of the said sloop, by sleeping on his watch, and disobeying the orders he received from his Captain. The charge being proved, he was adjudged to be dismissed HM service, rendered incapable of serving his Majesty as an Officer, mulcted of all his pay, and to suffer two years imprisonment.