Folios 151-152: William Collis, HMS Dromedary, Deptford. Reports his arrival at Deptford...

Folios 151-152: William Collis, HMS Dromedary, Deptford. Reports his arrival at Deptford on orders received 20th at the Downs from Admiral Peyton to proceed to the Nore and put the disposable men on board HMS Sandwich he was sending and to land the French prisoners. Departed dawn next day on the Pilots instructions. Before he could reach there HMS Charlotte, armed cutter met him and told him about the Mutiny at the Nore breaking out that morning. How the Admirals flag was hauled down and four of the Captains and their Officers being turned out of their ships. Every ship followed HMS Sandwich’s example, hoisting the Red ensign at the Ensign staff and red flag at the Fore Topmast head and that they had stopped HMS Serapis storeship bound for Woolwich. He transferred the disposable men onto HMS Charlotte to be delivered to HMS Sandwich and decided to take the prisoners to Deptford. By the Nore a boat carrying two sailors, each with red cockades in their hats approached him and hooked onto the boat he was towing astern. Calling for a rope said they were from HMS Proserpine and said he had orders for the Nore. When asked who the orders were from they replied from the Fleet. He said he would not. With lots of oaths they said this would make them and raising a Union flag they made off whereupon HMS Sandwich, a two decked boat and a frigate opened fire with round and grapeshot and continued firing till HMS Dromedary became out of range. His creew came on the quarteer deck and peaceably explained their fear of a frigate chasing them and being overpowered by the Fleet’s men for not going to the Nore and joining with their dissatisfaction from not being allowed additional wages and provisions allowance by the Government, that he had read to them two days before explaining their entitlements. His crew choosing to stand by him showed the best conduct and loyalty.

Folios 153-154: enclosed with folios 151-152. To Captain Collis, HMS Dromedary, 26 May. Reports losing no time in communicating his letter of 24th to the Lords of the Admiralty reporting his arrival at Deptford and what happened with the mutineers belonging to the ships at the Nore trying to stop him. He is commanded to convey their approval of his and his Officers actions, asking that he will make this known to them in the proper manner.