There is an account in Western Ocean Packets by Basil Lubbock. The story, much in Capt. Samuels' words, relates an attempted mutiny by packet rats from the notorious gang "the bloody forty" on 7/12/1859 on the famous clipper, Dreadnaught. Capt. Samuels (same Samuels & ship as in the well-known chantey) had been warned the gang would make trouble but hired them on anyway. As it happened, he and the second mate alone faced down the 30 armed mutineers. He eventually had them meekly scrubbing the deck. On arrival at port, news of the mutiny had already spread. The police superintendant and his posse, hurrying to the ship, was just in time to witness the bloody forty bidding goodby to their captain... with three hearty cheers!

          Well I've known the hardest captains and sailed with the toughest crews
          And I've shipped aboard me share of Black Balls, matey
          But I've never seen as big a row in all my years at sea
          As when Captain Samuels met the bloody forty
  
                  "The Bloody Forty," words & tune © Jerry Bryant

Copyright © 2005, Abby Sale - all rights reserved
What are Happy's all about? See Clicky

---

The Western Ocean Packets: https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Western_Ocean_Packets/3vUEAAAAMAAJ

The Dreadnaught Mutiny (Jerry Bryant)