PRO: ADM 1/5436 (Courts martial)

At a Court Martial held on board His Majesty's Ship Vigo off Rää in the Sound on Thursday the twentieth day of May 1813.

Present:

James Nicoll Morris Esq., Rear-Admiral of the White and Second Officer in the Command of His Majesty's Ships and vessels in the Baltic -- President

Graham Moore Esq., Rear Admiral of the Blue

Captains

The Rt Hon. Lord Viscount Torrington

Thomas White (1st)

Thomas Richard Toker Esq., Commander

B.H. Russell, Deputy Judge Advocate

Captain Thomas Boys of H.M. Ship Zealous, being Prosecutor on this occasion.

The Court, pursuant to an order from Geo.J. Hope Esq., Rear Admiral of the White and Commander in Chief of a Squadron of His Majesty's ships and vessels employed on a particular service, dated the fourth day of May 1813, directed to James Nicoll Morris Esq., Rear-Admiral of the White and Second Officer in the Command of His Majesty's Ships and vessels in the Baltic, having been duly sworn, proceeded to the Trial of Valentine Woods, a Boy of the 2nd Class belonging to His Majesty's Ship Zealous, on a charge exhibited against him by Thomas Boys Esq., Captain of the said Ship, of having on or about the 22nd day of March last stabbed John Good, also belonging to the Zealous.

And having heard the evidence in support of the Charge, the Prisoner declaring that he had nothing to offer in his Defence, but prayed the Mercy of the Court that they would consider his Youth, -- and very maturely and deliberately weighed and considered the same, the Court is of opinion that the charge has been proved against the Prisoner Valentine Woods, Boy of the Second Class of His Majesty's Ship the Zealous, -- but in consideration of his Youth and appearance, doth only adjudge the said Valentine Woods to receive Sixty Lashes with a Cat of Nine Tails, on his bare Posteriors, on board His Majesty's said Ship Zealous, at such time or times as the Captain of that Ship shall think fit.

And the said Valentine Woods is hereby sentenced accordingly.

[signatures] JN Morris
G Moore
Torrington
T White
TR Toker

By Command of the Court, B.H. Russell, Deputy Judge Advocate.

PRO: ADM 37/4195 (Ships' musters)

HMS Zealous - Ship's Muster - 1813

Valentine Woods, Boy 2nd class: entered 1 July 1812 -- Age on entry: 16.

PRO: ADM 51/2993 (Ships' logs)

HMS Zealous - Captain's Log - 1813

17 July 1813 (12 miles off Granaa)

.... at 11.15 Punished Valentine Woods (Boy) with 36 lashes for stabbing John Good, Ships Corporal, being part of his Punishment by sentence of a Court Martial on the 20th day of May 1813.

[...]

At 10, Punished ..... Valentine Woods (Boy) with 24 lashes for stabbing John Good, Ships Corporal, being the remainder part of his Punishment by sentence of a Court Martial held on the 20 May 1813.