o_199m9vaui14ib1cnu10di10pocoj4h.pdf

SUPPLIES RUNNING LOW 221
already well stocked. However this may be, it is certain
that some of the crews at the Nore were in the utmost
straits for want of provisions; apparently the storeships
which had been seized by the muineers had not gone far
in relieving the wants of the fleet.
Parker had written that the fleet had supplies for six
months, but when his ship surrendered, it was found that
the provisions on board were only enough to last for two
days. 1 The Director was in a similar case, and the
committee were forced to borrow water from other ships.
When the Director surrendered, there was found on
board a letter, addressed to the Montague in these terms :
Dr Brothers, We would be exceedingly obliged to you to
spare us the small quantity of 5 Ton of Water for our present
use, as we are greatly in want of this useful Article.
Yours,
Commee. of the Director. 2
Thus in cutting off supplies from the fleet, the government
had secured a great advantage. If they only sat
still and waited, famine and the consequent disease would
conquer the mutiny.
Probably the lack of provisions had a considerable part
in inducing the delegates to attempt an escape by sea.
It has already been said that this was one of the alternative
courses open to the mutineers, and we shall see
directly that such an escape was seriously contemplated.
In the petition to the King the delegates distinctly
threatened to put to sea if
the government should refuse
1- Buckner to Nepean (C 378) : "As many of the ships that are come
in are greatly in want of provisions, particularly the Sandwich, which
has only two days' supply on board, I beg leave, etc."
2. Ibid. There was another letter on board, also addressed to the
Montague in nearly the same words ; but " almost destitute " was
substituted for " greatly in want." An answer written by Gregory,
the delegate of the Sandwich, has been preserved (ibid.). Gregory
informed the crew of the Director that they would be supplied with
water and every other necessity in preparation for putting to sea. His
letter was written on 9 June, and the allusion is evidently to the
projected voyage to France or Ireland. Gregory was probably the
president of the Committee of Internal Regulations, for that committee
would presumably have charge of the supplies.