Study Questions
1. Where was the Indomitable en route to at the time of Billy’s impressment?

2. In what year did the Spithead and Nore uprisings occur?

3. Which of the uprisings came to be known as the “Great Mutiny”?

4. Why was the “Great Mutiny” shaded “off into the historical background”?

5. After Spithead, why did the Nore mutiny occur?

6. How did the authorities finally put down the Nore mutiny?

7. Why weren’t the mutinies more widespread among the rest of the British fleet?

8. How did many of the sailors involved in the mutinies absolve themselves of their crimes?

9. What was the cause for the uprisings?

10. How is the battle of Trafalgar remembered?

Answers
1. The Indomitable was en route to join the Mediterranean fleet.

2. The Spithead and Nore uprisings occurred in 1797.

3. The Nore uprising came to be known as the “Great Mutiny.”

4. It was given little historical emphasis due to national pride.

5. The sailors’ demands were not met after the Spithead uprising.

6. “Final suppression” was made possible by the loyalty of the marine corps and “voluntary resumption of loyalty” by the more influential leaders among the crew.

7. The mutinies were symptoms of troubles in a fleet that was “constitutionally sound.”

8. Many of the mutineers were among the sailors who helped Nelson win his victories at the Nile and Trafalgar.

9. There were many practical grievances that ignited into a full-fledged uprising.

10. The battle ofTrafalgar is remembered as a “scenic naval display,” exemplified by “heroic magnificence.”