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January 19, 1901:1
THE TROUBLE ON
BOARD
H.M.S."BARFLEUR."
COUET MARTIAL.
A court martial was held on board H.M.8, Terrible on Tuesday for the purpose of enquir- ing into certain charges brought against William H. Rico, a leading seaman on H.M.8. Barfleur, the charges against him being that he had committed (1) an act to the prejudice of good order and naval discipline in entering the Ad. miral's cabin and listening to the proceedings of a Court of Enquiry; (2) an act to the prejudice of good order and naval discipline in inciting Robert Peart, an ordinary seaman, from telling the truth. The enquiry into the proceedings of which the prisoner was charged with listening was held on the 3rd January, and was in connection with the trouble on board H.MS. Burfleur about Christmas time, when a bell brought from the North by one of the officers and the gun-sights were thrown overboard.
The Court was composed as follows:-Cap- tain Perey Scott, C.B., of H.M.S. Terrible; Captain J. H T. Barke, C.B., of H.M.S. Or lando; Captain G. A. Callaghan, C.B., of H.M.S. Endymion; Captain P. F. Tillard, of H.M S. Dido and Commander H. P. W. Freeman, of H.MS. Mohawk. Mr. G. Hewlett, Secretary to Bear-Admiral Bruce, was Judge Advocate, and Lieut. J. 8. Wilde, of H.M.S. Terrible, was Officer of the Court.
Captain Warrender, of H.M.S. Barfleur, ap- peared as prosecutor, and Lieutenant Noble, of H.MS. Barfleur, appeared on behalf of the prisoner.
Captain Warrender give formal evidence as to the identity of the prisoner.
William Newcombe, first-class petty officer, H.M.S. Barfleur, said he was standing on the aft dock with Freeme and Thurgur on the afternoon of the 3rd January waiting to give his evidence at the Court of Enquiry which was then being held when he heard Freeme pass the remark to Thurgur “ What has Rice gone into the Admiral's cabin for? Can you hear what is said." He looked up and saw Rice just enter- ing the starboard door. After that he went on deckung
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In reply to the Court, witness said he was standing outside the Admiral's sleeping cabin. There was nobody else there besides himself and the other two petty officers he had men- tioned.
On being cross-examined by the prisoner, witness said he did not know what time it was when he saw the prisoner go into the Admiral's cabin.
Did you see me come out of the Admiral's cabin No.
Did you see Admiral and Lady Brace come out of the cabin to go on shore ?—Yes.
How long was it after this that you saw me going into the cabin ?-I cannot say.
The Court-Was there a sentry at the door to prevent anybody going in P-A sentry was at the port side at the time.
George Ernest Freeme, first-class petty officer, HMS. Barfleur, said he was on the aft deck on the afternoon of the 3rd January. He was called aft in company with another petty officer. After standing there some few minutes he was called into Court and answered questions put to him. On coming out he had a conversation with Thurgar and Newcombe, first-class petty officers. After this Thurgur was called into Court After he came out they had a con- versation together. He saw Rice come aft on to the aft deck in company with a Chinaman. A few minutes afterwards he saw Rice entering the starboard cabin door, and he passed the re- mark," What is Rice going into that door for?" Thurgur answered, "I don't know; he's galley's crew. After this they were told to go on deck, and they remained in the starboard gangway in once they were required again.
The Court Whereabouts on the aft deck were you and the other petty officers standing?
-On the starboard zide, c
Was nobody else standing on that side-No, Birman es
The prisoner What time was it when you saw me go into the Admiral's cabin ?—I cannot say; I was awakened from sleep and
Dia
ou see Admiral and Lady Bruce leave the cabin to go ore 1-Yes.
went
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
How long was it after this that you saw me go into the cabin ?—I do not remember.
Did you not state to the Captain that it was just after the Admiral and Lady Bruce had gone ashore that you saw me ?--I don't remem- ber saying it was directly afterwards. the exact words you said to Thurgar P-Yes.
Are you sure the words you have given were
the Admiral's cabin ?--Standing midships with Where was the sentry at the time I went into his back to the aft ladder,
Was he by the starboard door ?—No. side of the ladder, with his back to the ladder, Whereabouts was he exactly?-On the port as I stated before.
The Court-Where was the sentry facing ?- Facing to port, sir.
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The Admiral's, sir.
Which galley does the prisoner belong to
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Had the prisoner duties which might take him to the Admiral's cabin ?—I did not know at the time, sir, but afterwards I heard he was acting as Admiral's coxswain.
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Did you see anyone else enter the Admiral's cabin besides the prisoner P-No, sir.
At the time, did you think there was any. thing wrong in the prisoner entering the cabin? No, sir. I had not the slightest suspicion whatever, air.
You did not think there was anything wrong in it P-Nu, sir.
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Did I lead you in any way to believe that I knew any of the evidence?—Well, I thought it was funny you should know anything about it, as you said you knew it.
Robert Peart, ordinary seaman H.M.8. Bar- fleur, said he was on the forecastle on the afternoon of the 3rd January, when - the
all about it. In fact, say you never saw Daly sent for, say that you know nothing at prisoner came to him and said—“If you are
that night." Prisoner then left him to go and tell Daly. After this he had a conversation he knew anything about it, it would be best to with Petty Officer Drew, who told him that if tell the truth. Witness replied that he should clear himself. Drew asked him how he could clear himself, and he replied that he could clear himself because of what Daly told him.
Prisoner-Did I incite you not to tell the truth at the enquiry if you were called P-Yes. not to tell?
What was the truth, then, that I told you
The Judge Advocate (to the witness)-You need not answer that question if you think it will incriminate you.
are asked questions which you think will get you
Captain Scott (to witness)-If you think you/ personally into troubleyouneed not answer them, Witness-The truth was that I had seen Daly that night.
Prisoner-Did I lead you to infer I had any knowledge of you and Daly being together on that night P-No.
Captain Warrender-Do you remember if the aft ladder had a screen or not?-Yes, it had.
Then if I happened to tell you to say you had Alfred James Sawden, the Rear-Admiral's not seen Daly, it must have been mère guess coxswain, said the prisoner's duty on the after-work on my part ?-Yes. noon of the 3rd January was to act as coxswain of the second gig, whilst the coxswain was attending the Count of Enquiry. He had no duty in the Admiral's cabin afternoon, to his knowledge. The Admiral that went ashore in the second gig.
The Court-Had the prisoner any duty at any time in the Admiral's cabin ?-Not on that day.
Had he previously ?—Yes, sir; he finished by eight o'clock every morning.
On what day did this duty cease P-I do not remember the date.
Was it before the New Year or after P-I really do not remember the date.
It has been given in evidence that this man was acting Admiral's coxswain. Is that so ?- Not Admiral's coxswain. He was acting cox- was attending the Court of Enquiry. swain to the galley, as the coxswain of the galley
Captain's galley ?-The second gig was being Do you mean the Admiral's galley or the used as the Admiral's galley.
Were any of the galley's crow in the Admiral's cabin during the Court of enquiry ?--I saw no one there.
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had seen Daly ?-No.
Then I did not know it was the truth you Did I lead you to believe that I thought that you were implicated with Daly?
Witness did not answer this question. Prisoner-Did I know it was not the truth when I told you to say that you knew nothing about it?
No answer. ́
The Court-You said the prisoner went do you know that?-Rice told me so. away to tell Daly the same thing? How
and the reply. was that he was leading seaman The question was asked "What is Daly "
and gymnasium instructor.
J. W. Drew, first-class petty officer on board H.M.S. Barfleur, said he was on the fore- castle on the afternoon of 3rd January talking to an ordinary seaman named Peart, when Rice came, called Peart on one side, and told him not was going aft to give “ Tim” the “tip. to say "anything at all about it," and that he Captain Warrender-Did you speak to Peart after this ?—Yes, sir.
"#
State what occurred.-I asked Peart if Rice had anything to do with the bell, and he said he did not think he had, but he was going aft
brought up in the enquiry P-I told Peart that Did you tell Peart that his name had been
believed his name was connected with it.
Charles John Thurgur, first-class petty officer on board H M.8. Barfleur, said he was; to tell Daly. on the aft deck on the afternoon of 3rd Jan- uary talking to petty officers Freeme and not hear everything he said to Peart. He was In reply to the prisoner, witness said he did Newcombe, when Freeme passed the remark-talking to Peart about a minute.
What is Rice doing, going into the Admiral's cabin?" He replied that he did not know, as Rico was
galley's crew." He did not see the prisoner enter the Admiral's cabin himself. He was standing on the starboard side of the att, together with the two other petty officers. Prisoner When Freeme passed this remark to you, did you look right over the door at once P-No.
[1]
Where was the sentry standing at the time you made this romark ?—I did not notice the sentry there.
About three, or just after.
Have you any idea what time this was ?--
prisoner, the witness said he did not see the In reply to further questions put by the Admiral and Lady Bruce leave the cabin to go o1 shore. He did not see the prisoner come aft to the aft deck.
By the Court-When he was told the prisoner had been into the Admiral's cabin, he did not think there was anything wrong in it.
Charles G. Deasly, leading seaman' H.M.8. Barfleur, said he was on duty in the middle watch on the night of 3rd January, when Rice came up to him and said he knew the evidence and did not think much of it.
In reply to the prisoner, witness said➡You also maid to me—“ What do you think of the case ?” and I replied that I knew nothing about it. -You did not tell me any of the evidence. -
I
Peart not to say what was the truth P-I had Had you any reason to believe that I told
no reason to believe that you told him to. say what was not the truth.
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It was stated that the man referred to as "Tim' was Daly.
Peart when the prisoner spoke to him ?— The Court-What distance were you from
About six feet.
What does "this affair" which has been spoken about mean ?-Throwing the bell over- board.
Pea,rt concerning what you heard me say
Prisoner-Did you pass any remarks to Yes I said to Peart, Rice had better be care- {ful,” as he had been rushing about all the after-
noon.
Do you know what I was rushing about all the afternoon for-No.
Did you see me speak to anybody that afternoon ?—Yes, I saw you talking to the ship's corporal, a man named Marr.
Was that after I had spoken to Peart ?- I saw you talking to a man named Speed. ∙Did you see me speak to anybody else
Marr and Speed, what do you mean
If you only saw me speaking to Corporal
that I was rushing about-You
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