o_199m9vaui14ib1cnu10di10pocoj4h.pdf

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CHAPTER XII.
The Period of Quiescence.
With this short account of the characteristics of the
mutiny as a background, the measures of the seamen and
their relations with the government may now be examined
in detail. The course of the mutiny may be divided into
four periods :
(i) (12 to 20 May). The period of comparative
quiescence, when the mutiny was kept well under control
by the ringleaders, and the Admiralty offered no effective
resistance.
(2) (20 to 29 May). The period of negotiation, ending
with the return to London of three lords of the Admiralty
who had gone to treat with the seamen.
(3) (29 May to 5 June). The climax of the mutiny,
when ships from Duncan's squadron joined with the
Nore fleet, and the movement which had begun as a strike
now bore the appearance of a rebellion.
(4) (5 to 15 June). The decline of the mutiny.
From the very outset there were signs of weakness and
disunion in the mutiny. The Clyde frigate was under
the command of Captain Cunningham, "a good man
and excellent officer," 1 who was popular with his ship's
company. The crew joined the mutiny because it was
both fashionable and expedient to do so; but their
observance of their oath was always half-hearted. One
of their delegates, who was a member of the deputation
sent to the fleet at Portsmouth, deserted his companions
1. This is the character given to Cunningham by Admiral Page in a
pencilled note on p. 123 of his copy of Cunningham's book (now in the
British Museum).