Thanks Nerd & Gareth for the discussion around these events - I'd been intending to start a thread to see
if there were any songs about Spithead & The Nore - I see it's done for me.. Funnily enough, I remember hearing 'The Colours'
on the radio a few times in the late 80s but I never listened closely enough to the words. These events crop
up in histories of the 1798 rebellion in Ireland - often as a footnote - I first learnt about them in Pakenham's
'Year of Liberty' - I'm sure he gives sources in the footnotes - but I don't have the book handy.
I've always been meaning to read up on it - so thanks for the directions.
Finally, Nerd, isn't it pro-Jacobin you mean there - as I don't think the jolly tars were too well up
on styles of early 17th Century tragedies ?? :-)
Despite my smartarsery, thanks again for all the info.