“Lieutenant Gabriel’s eye was always on the watch, not only to see that every man did his duty, but to increase the comforts of his companions in war: even to their amusements he extended his beneficial exertions when the service admitted of relaxation. In order to unbend their minds and cheer them with variety, they were permitted to amuse themselves with theatrical exhibitions, particularly when they were in harbour, and the ship was reported ready for sea, on which occasions the officers frequently honored them with their presence as spectators. This produced the most salutary effect, by keeping the whole crew in good humour, and worked very powerfully upon them.
“It also was a most delightful sight to pass along the lower-deck when all hands were piped to dinner. Their table-covers, plates, dishes, knives, &c. were equally distinguished for cleanliness; happiness was depicted on every brow, and reflected, as in a mirror, the same pleasing effect on the countenance of their protector, arising from the happy result of the wise system he had adopted. A pleasing silence reigned from stem to stern – no wrangling – no swearing; all was harmony; – decency and propriety were the order of each and every day: it hail all the appearance of a well regulated family, under the controul and superintendence of a masterly conductor, who knew how judiciously to correct the dissolute and reward the meritorious.
“I shall here adduce a proof of the mutual confidence which subsisted between the officers and crew of the Pomone, the effect of a wise and well regulated indulgence; for it would be an injustice to both, were I to withhold the fact, that, whenever the service would admit of it, one-half of the ship’s company were allowed to go on shore daily, and that, so far from desertions often taking place, the liberty-men seldom returned on board unaccompanied by volunteer seamen. How few instances can you, even with your extensive information, bring forward of a plan so liberal, rational, and blended with the purest principles of humanity, having been adopted in the ships of the royal navy during the reign of King George III., the period to which, I find, you intend to confine your particular attention? The important benefits resulting from such a system are beyond the power of the most subtle and ingenious sophistry to subvert, or to prove fallacious and nugatory.
“At the court-martial for the loss of the Pomone[1], the president, Rear-Admiral (now Sir William) Hargood observed that Lieutenant Gabriel did not answer the questions of the court to his satisfaction, upon which the whole of the other members, including the present Sir David Milne, and Captains John Towers and the Hon. George Cadogan, declared that they never heard more distinct evidence; adding, that Lieutenant Gabriel appeared to them to have great merit for his conduct on that occasion, where coolness