RoM - Chapter Two - general, nautical

[esteven]

I have never seen such a piece of seamanship nor such an example of divine intervention. That horrible old tub should never have reached Bridgetown in the first place; and she would certainly have foundered with all hands just now but for the grace of God. Only an uninterrupted series of

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The court-martial of the Hermiones

[esteven]

Stone, the deputy judgeadvocate,helped by his clerks, directed the game. For a game it was, an odious game; and like most games it had intricate rules, one of which was that the accused should be allowed to have their say, should be allowed to cross-question the witnesses and address the court, so that the performance should have all the appearance of a fair, impartial trial.
There was something very deeply unpleasant in playing a part in this solemn farce, something horribly indecent about being in the judgment seat and watching the others in their hopeless struggle.

Right or wrong, the Navy?

Re: The court-martial of the Hermiones

[esteven]

It's true, courts-martial are one way of maintaining discipline, something that had to be done, esp since not all captains are like Jack and not all ships' companies are like the Surprises
*sighs*

Still, it makes me glad that Jack (and the other captains) do not relish the thought of the outcome.

Re: The court-martial of the Hermiones

[dreamwaffles]

"Jack would say men must be governed." You're quite right, particularly in these sorts of circumstances, where the Navy is also...not very sympathetic to many situations. Performing duty for the love of duty isn't even enacted by all the officers, let alone the crew, and while it would be wonderful to have a ship whose crewmembers all served out of sheer devotion, it's not really ever going to happen.

This being said, the men of Surprise so, so lucky to have Jack; he's a charismatic leader, he doesn't punish lightly, and while he'll work the men hard he's not cruel or mean-spirited. Far from that, actually. I know I'd cheerfully follow him right into hell, and I only READ about him. :P

Re: The court-martial of the Hermiones

[esteven]

the men of Surprise so, so lucky to have Jack
True, just as he is Lucky Jack when it comes to his -and the Surprise's- men. Yes, he is able to inspire loyalty, but he can also rely on them. One lighter-hearted example is at the beginning of chapter one and the frigate's caper. It was only possible because Jack could completely rely on the men.

O'Brian has certainly given us a very special merman in Jack! :D

Re: The court-martial of the Hermiones

[esteven]

if you'd been impressed, taken from your home, your family left to starve and your business fall into ruin?
I guess when it comes to Jack and the manning of his ships, does not the ship's surgeon have to approve the men joining the ship, impressed or not? I think that surgeon is a good enough "insurance" against starving families and ruined businesses.

It doesn't sound like one could learn to admire Pigot.
Definitely not. And he wasn't even 30
*shakes head*

Re: The court-martial of the Hermiones

[esteven]

They'll probably tell him, and it will be his choice to believe them. Admittedly, he can't do that too often, or the premier will come down on him (or at least complain to the captain)

Re: The court-martial of the Hermiones

[dreamwaffles]

Well, I don't know; I was really referring more to the longtime Surprises who've been with Jack for years and years.

However, I think that eventually, even impressed, under Jack-yes. It might take years, but Jack is that caliber of leader.

Re: The court-martial of the Hermiones

[ylla]

It makes me think of various recent cases where the original events are so widely known and discussed that there's no real way of ensuring a fair trial.

There doesn't seem to be much doubt that they were involved - reluctantly or not - and I don't think they could have expected any other verdict from a civilian trial. But the cat and mouse aspect of the whole thing is definitely not nice.

Re: The court-martial of the Hermiones

[esteven]

My thoughts entirely, they knew stood no chance, but there was always the hope of a pardon. In a strange way I am glad that Jack and most of the other captains do not relish these cases and the obvious outcome. From Jack's thoughts that it might have been better if they had been hit on their heads in a battle clearly shows the perceived difference of killing someone in action to sentencing someone to death.

Re: The court-martial of the Hermiones

[dreamwaffles]

Well, killing someone who's trying to kill you is nice and straightforward, and it's instinct to strike back in the heat of the moment. A hanging is (or, well, is in theory) killing someone out of pure, cold reason, which is for some reason a lot more wrong than killing someone in battle.

Re: The court-martial of the Hermiones

[esteven]

*nods*
And though I do not know the reason either, I am glad that Jack still knows that difference.

Re: The court-martial of the Hermiones

[dreamwaffles]

I think knowing there is a difference, even if not the reason for it, can be enough.

Re: The court-martial of the Hermiones

[esteven]

And so we have to love Jack:D