“Commander Deans then stated, that he had no further evidence to bring forward; when the Judge-Advocate declared that the defence was concluded. The Court was then cleared, and after about two hours deliberation was again opened, and the following sentence delivered:–
“The Court having read the evidence in support of the charges, &c. &c., and having maturely and deliberately considered the same, &c., is of opinion that in giving an order to Mr. J. R. Collymore to go to the mast-head as a punishment, the said Lieutenant William Worsfold was borne out by the general custom of the service, and the particular circumstances of the case; and the Court is further of opinion, that the means resorted to, to enforce obedience, by Commander Deans, have also been practised in the service, and were in some degree justified by the previous incorrigible conduct of the said J. R. Collymore. The Court nevertheless cannot but consider that those means are generally unofficerlike and improper; and although fully sensible that the general conduct of Commander Robert Deans towards the officers and ship’s company under his command has been kind and indulgent, the Court feels itself called upon to admonish the said Commander Robert Deans to be more circumspect in his conduct for the future, and he is hereby admonished accordingly, and the Court doth adjudge the said Lieutenant William Worsfold to be acquitted.”
The President then returned Commander Deans his sword, which he said had been often and honourably drawn in defence of his country.
On the 21st June, 1831, the Childers sailed from Portsmouth with despatches to South America. She was paid off in the beginning of 1833.
Commander Deans has never been granted a pension for his wounds, the surgeons not considering him to have sustained injuries in the service equal to the loss of a limb. He is treasurer and a director of the Scottish military and naval academy, and also of the Edinburgh and Leith seamen’s friend society. He married, in Feb. 1821, Mary, eldest daughter of the late Richard Clay, of Gloucester Place, Portman Square, London, Esq.
GEORGE FRANCIS BRIDGES, Esq.
[Commander.]
Nephew to the late Lieutenant-General Bridges. This officer was a midshipman of le Tigre 74, Captain B. Hallowell (now Sir Benjamin H. Carew), and employed
