Samuel Story
Encyclopedia
Samuel Story was a vice-admiral of the navy of the Batavian Republic
. He commanded the squadron that surrendered without a fight to the Royal Navy
at the Vlieter Incident
in 1799.
. He entered the navy of the Dutch Republic
(Admiralty of the Maze
) in 1770. On July 5, 1774 he became a lieutenant
on the Orangezaal (20 guns). His first command (in 1781) was the frigate Jason (36 guns). In 1793, he was appointed captain of the frigate Pollux (40 guns) at Hellevoetsluis
.
then appointed him commander of the naval base and squadron. The armies of the French Republic had invaded the Netherlands in the course of the War of the First Coalition
. They made easy progress in early 1795 and the commander-in-chief of the Dutch navy, lieutenant-admiral Jan Hendrik van Kinsbergen
ordered Story to offer no resistance. On January 3, 1795, he released and armed 600 French prisoners of war, who had been incarcerated on his base. In that way he secured the base for the Batavian Republic
that was proclaimed shortly afterward.
The new government of that Republic appointed Story in February, 1795, to a commission that was charged with making an inventory of the ships of the fleet, and other naval installations, in connection with accusations of neglect by the previous regime. The commission presented its report on May 27, 1795, and concluded that the state of the navy was deplorable. This was the basis for an ambitious programme of naval construction in 1796
of 1797. During this battle, Story commanded the Batavian frigate division as rear-admiral aboard the ship-of-the-line Staten-Generaal (74 guns). This ship caught fire, and while this was extinguished, it drifted to leeward, which made it impossible to rejoin the battle. This may have contributed to the loss of the battle by vice-admiral Jan Willem de Winter
. In any case, the battle is remarkable because of the new tactics employed by admiral Adam Duncan, 1st Viscount Duncan of Camperdown
, which amounted to breaching the Dutch line, instead of sailing parallel to it (as were the usual tactics up to then). The point where the line was breached was just before Story's ship.
However, Story distinguished himself in the sequel of the battle by rallying the Batavian frigate division and leading them safely into port.
. A Batavian squadron was formed near Texel
under the command of Story. When the Dutch part of the expedition to Ireland was cancelled, this squadron was next retargeted to the East Indies
at the request of the Committee of East Indian Commerce of the Batavian government. It was to escort an expeditionary force of 5,000 soldiers under the command of Gen. Herman Willem Daendels
who was to be in overall command. Story now attained the temporary rank of vice-admiral. However, strong rumors of a planned Anglo-Russian attack on the Republic in summer 1799 led to the cancellation of this expedition.
When the Anglo-Russian expedition materialized in August 1799, Story still commanded the squadron at Texel, again as a rear-admiral. The machinations of a number of officers in his command with Orangist leanings led to the debacle of the Vlieter Incident
in which Story felt constrained to surrender without a fight to the Royal Navy squadron under Admiral Mitchell because of a mutiny aboard the Batavian squadron.
. After his release, he did not feel welcome in England as a loyal Patriot
, unlike his Orangist colleagues, who were in a similar predicament. The Batavian government had meanwhile tried him in absentia. He dared not return to the Republic because of this, instead trying to conduct his defense from abroad. He moved to Bremen
in October 1802.
The Hoge Militaire Vierschaar (High Military Court) convicted him on January 16, 1804 of dereliction of duty, cowardice, and disloyalty. He was declared to be "perjurious, without honor, and infamous," cashiered from the navy, and sentenced to banishment for life, on penalty of beheading. After this harsh sentence, he spent the rest of his life trying to be rehabilitated. In 1805, he published a defense in the form of a book that was part auto-biography. He did not succeed, mainly because he died before the restoration of the leader of the Orangist faction, William I of the Netherlands
to power. Other "mutineers", like Theodorus Frederik van Capellen
were rehabilitated by the new king, but this was not extended to Story because he could not ask for rehabilitation.
Story died in exile in Cleves
on January 8, 1811.
Batavian Republic
The Batavian Republic was the successor of the Republic of the United Netherlands. It was proclaimed on January 19, 1795, and ended on June 5, 1806, with the accession of Louis Bonaparte to the throne of the Kingdom of Holland....
. He commanded the squadron that surrendered without a fight to the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
at the Vlieter Incident
Vlieter Incident
The Vlieter incident was the surrender without a fight of a squadron of the navy of the Batavian Republic, commanded by Rear-Admiral Samuel Story, during the Anglo-Russian Invasion of Holland to the British navy on a sandbank near the Channel known as De Vlieter, near Wieringen, on August 30,...
in 1799.
Early life
Story was born in MaasbommelMaasbommel
Maasbommel is a town in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is a part of the municipality of West Maas en Waal, and lies about 7 km north of Oss. It received city rights in 1328....
. He entered the navy of the Dutch Republic
Dutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
(Admiralty of the Maze
Admiralty of Rotterdam
The Admiralty of Rotterdam, also called the Admiralty of de Maze, was one of the five Admiralties in the Dutch Republic.-History:It was set up in 1574 during the Dutch Revolt, when William I of Orange's supporters decided to pool their naval resources at Rotterdam...
) in 1770. On July 5, 1774 he became a lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
on the Orangezaal (20 guns). His first command (in 1781) was the frigate Jason (36 guns). In 1793, he was appointed captain of the frigate Pollux (40 guns) at Hellevoetsluis
Hellevoetsluis
Hellevoetsluis is a small city and municipality on Voorne-Putten Island in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland...
.
Revolution of 1795
In the severe Winter of 1794/95 the ships of the Dutch navy on the roadstead of Hellevoetsluis became lodged in the ice on the River Maas. Story's commanding officer rear-admiral Pieter Melvill van CarnbeePieter Melvill van Carnbee (1743-1810)
Pieter baron Melvill van Carnbee was a Dutch naval officer from a military family of Scottish descent, who rose to the rank of vice admiral. His name was sometimes spelled Melville van Carnbée. His grandson Pieter Melvill van Carnbee was a notable geographer.-Life:He is most noted for his...
then appointed him commander of the naval base and squadron. The armies of the French Republic had invaded the Netherlands in the course of the War of the First Coalition
First Coalition
The War of the First Coalition was the first major effort of multiple European monarchies to contain Revolutionary France. France declared war on the Habsburg monarchy of Austria on 20 April 1792, and the Kingdom of Prussia joined the Austrian side a few weeks later.These powers initiated a series...
. They made easy progress in early 1795 and the commander-in-chief of the Dutch navy, lieutenant-admiral Jan Hendrik van Kinsbergen
Jan Hendrik van Kinsbergen
Jan Hendrik van Kinsbergen , or Count of Doggersbank, was a Dutch naval officer. Having had a good scientific education, Van Kinbergen was a proponent of fleet modernization and wrote many books about naval organization, discipline and tactics.In 1773, he twice defeated an Ottoman fleet while in...
ordered Story to offer no resistance. On January 3, 1795, he released and armed 600 French prisoners of war, who had been incarcerated on his base. In that way he secured the base for the Batavian Republic
Batavian Republic
The Batavian Republic was the successor of the Republic of the United Netherlands. It was proclaimed on January 19, 1795, and ended on June 5, 1806, with the accession of Louis Bonaparte to the throne of the Kingdom of Holland....
that was proclaimed shortly afterward.
The new government of that Republic appointed Story in February, 1795, to a commission that was charged with making an inventory of the ships of the fleet, and other naval installations, in connection with accusations of neglect by the previous regime. The commission presented its report on May 27, 1795, and concluded that the state of the navy was deplorable. This was the basis for an ambitious programme of naval construction in 1796
Battle of Camperdown
The new fleet was first put to the test in the Battle of CamperdownBattle of Camperdown
The Battle of Camperdown was a major naval action fought on 11 October 1797 between a Royal Navy fleet under Admiral Adam Duncan and a Dutch Navy fleet under Vice-Admiral Jan de Winter...
of 1797. During this battle, Story commanded the Batavian frigate division as rear-admiral aboard the ship-of-the-line Staten-Generaal (74 guns). This ship caught fire, and while this was extinguished, it drifted to leeward, which made it impossible to rejoin the battle. This may have contributed to the loss of the battle by vice-admiral Jan Willem de Winter
Jan Willem de Winter
Jan Willem de Winter was a Dutch admiral of the Napoleonic Wars.De Winter entered naval service as a young boy. He distinguished himself by his zeal and courage, and at the revolution of 1787 he had reached the rank of lieutenant. The overthrow of the patriot party forced him to fly for his safety...
. In any case, the battle is remarkable because of the new tactics employed by admiral Adam Duncan, 1st Viscount Duncan of Camperdown
Adam Duncan, 1st Viscount Duncan of Camperdown
Adam Duncan, 1st Viscount Duncan was a British admiral who defeated the Dutch fleet off Camperdown on 11 October 1797. This victory was considered one of the most significant actions in naval history.-Life:...
, which amounted to breaching the Dutch line, instead of sailing parallel to it (as were the usual tactics up to then). The point where the line was breached was just before Story's ship.
However, Story distinguished himself in the sequel of the battle by rallying the Batavian frigate division and leading them safely into port.
Vlieter Incident
In 1798, the Batavian Republic was asked by its French ally to take part in the expedition to assist the Irish Rebellion of 1798Irish Rebellion of 1798
The Irish Rebellion of 1798 , also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion , was an uprising in 1798, lasting several months, against British rule in Ireland...
. A Batavian squadron was formed near Texel
Texel
Texel is a municipality and an island in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. It is the biggest and most populated of the Frisian Islands in the Wadden Sea, and also the westernmost of this archipelago, which extends to Denmark...
under the command of Story. When the Dutch part of the expedition to Ireland was cancelled, this squadron was next retargeted to the East Indies
East Indies
East Indies is a term used by Europeans from the 16th century onwards to identify what is now known as Indian subcontinent or South Asia, Southeastern Asia, and the islands of Oceania, including the Malay Archipelago and the Philippines...
at the request of the Committee of East Indian Commerce of the Batavian government. It was to escort an expeditionary force of 5,000 soldiers under the command of Gen. Herman Willem Daendels
Herman Willem Daendels
Herman Willem Daendels was a Dutch politician who served as the 36th Governor General of the Dutch East Indies between 1808 and 1811....
who was to be in overall command. Story now attained the temporary rank of vice-admiral. However, strong rumors of a planned Anglo-Russian attack on the Republic in summer 1799 led to the cancellation of this expedition.
When the Anglo-Russian expedition materialized in August 1799, Story still commanded the squadron at Texel, again as a rear-admiral. The machinations of a number of officers in his command with Orangist leanings led to the debacle of the Vlieter Incident
Vlieter Incident
The Vlieter incident was the surrender without a fight of a squadron of the navy of the Batavian Republic, commanded by Rear-Admiral Samuel Story, during the Anglo-Russian Invasion of Holland to the British navy on a sandbank near the Channel known as De Vlieter, near Wieringen, on August 30,...
in which Story felt constrained to surrender without a fight to the Royal Navy squadron under Admiral Mitchell because of a mutiny aboard the Batavian squadron.
Conviction and banishment
After this surrender, Story was made a prisoner of war in England till the Peace of AmiensTreaty of Amiens
The Treaty of Amiens temporarily ended hostilities between the French Republic and the United Kingdom during the French Revolutionary Wars. It was signed in the city of Amiens on 25 March 1802 , by Joseph Bonaparte and the Marquess Cornwallis as a "Definitive Treaty of Peace"...
. After his release, he did not feel welcome in England as a loyal Patriot
Patriots (faction)
The Patriots were a political faction in the Dutch Republic in the second half of the 18th century. They were led by Joan van der Capellen tot den Pol, gaining power from November 1782....
, unlike his Orangist colleagues, who were in a similar predicament. The Batavian government had meanwhile tried him in absentia. He dared not return to the Republic because of this, instead trying to conduct his defense from abroad. He moved to Bremen
Bremen
The City Municipality of Bremen is a Hanseatic city in northwestern Germany. A commercial and industrial city with a major port on the river Weser, Bremen is part of the Bremen-Oldenburg metropolitan area . Bremen is the second most populous city in North Germany and tenth in Germany.Bremen is...
in October 1802.
The Hoge Militaire Vierschaar (High Military Court) convicted him on January 16, 1804 of dereliction of duty, cowardice, and disloyalty. He was declared to be "perjurious, without honor, and infamous," cashiered from the navy, and sentenced to banishment for life, on penalty of beheading. After this harsh sentence, he spent the rest of his life trying to be rehabilitated. In 1805, he published a defense in the form of a book that was part auto-biography. He did not succeed, mainly because he died before the restoration of the leader of the Orangist faction, William I of the Netherlands
William I of the Netherlands
William I Frederick, born Willem Frederik Prins van Oranje-Nassau , was a Prince of Orange and the first King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg....
to power. Other "mutineers", like Theodorus Frederik van Capellen
Theodorus Frederik van Capellen
Vice-admiral Jonkheer Theodorus Frederik van Capellen, GCMWO, KCB was a Dutch naval officer. He was married to Petronella de Lange . Alexandrine Tinné, female explorer and pioneering photographer, was his granddaughter.-Career:Van Capellen entered service in 1781 in the navy of the Dutch Republic...
were rehabilitated by the new king, but this was not extended to Story because he could not ask for rehabilitation.
Story died in exile in Cleves
Kleve
Kleve , is a town in the Lower Rhine region of northwestern Germany near the Dutch border and the River Rhine. From the 11th century onwards, Kleve was capital of a county and later a duchy...
on January 8, 1811.