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126 THE NAVAL MUTINIES OF 1797
the Channel fleet. Me 1 had certainly been out of the
navy during the peace, and he probably entered it again
as a volunteer on the outbreak of the war. His career on
the Assurance had an abrupt and characteristic ending.
In December 1793 he was court-mart ialled for refusing to
obey a lieutenant, and was disrated. He was sent to
serve before the mast among the men over whom he had
lately held authority ; but— it is a sign that he was not
wanting in ability—Parker was transferred to the Hebe
after two days, at the request of the captain of that ship. 2
Apparently his service on the Hebe gave satisfaction. 3
But although he was strong and well-built and in the
prime of life, Parker was not a healthy man, and in
April 1794 he was attacked with rheumatism so severely
that he had to be sent ashore to Haslar. After a month's
treatment the surgeons in the hospital deemed him cured,
and sent him to Admiral Parker's flagship, the Royal
William, as a supernumerary. They erred in their
judgement, for he was found to be quite unfit for work;
and the next day he was back in Haslar. However, in
the middle of August he resumed his place on the Royal
William, and remained there until 26 November. On
that day he was sent ashore again, probably for his
health, and he never returned to the Channel fleet. 4
made his way up to Scotland again, and it is said that he
became a schoolmaster. His capital was the trifling and
tardy wages of the common seaman ; his income was the
poor remuneration of the unskilled teacher ; and he had a
thriftless disposition. He fell inevitably into debt, and
was consigned to a debtor's prison. And it was only
natural that a prisoner who was a capable seaman should
1. Sir Peter Parker to Nepean, 17 June (A.S.I. 1023, A 568).
According to Cunningham (p. 85) and Mrs. Parker (Pro., p. 23, Digest),
he was a master's mate. Cunningham calls the ship the Resistance ; but
Sir Peter Parker is likely to be right, because he had the official papers
before him.
2. Parker to Nepean, u.s.
3. Cunningham (p. 85) says that he was made a mate of the hold.
4. Ibid. Parker's sick ticket is enclosed with the letter in which
these particulars are given.
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