Spithead

Spithead eastern part of the channel between Hampshire, England, and the Isle of Wight. In 1797 a celebrated wartime mutiny occurred in the fleet stationed at Spithead: the crews sent the officers ashore, ran the ships by committee, and won their demands for better wages and working conditions.

Spithead, a well-known and historical stretch of water in the east Solent off the British naval base of Portsmouth. It is bounded on the north by the Spit Sand, on the east by the Horse and Dean Sand, on the south by the Sturbridge Shoal and the Motherbank, and on the west by the Ryde Middle Sand. It was the scene of the famous naval mutiny of 1797 and of an indecisive action between the English fleet and a French invasion fleet in 1545, when the Mary Rose capsized and sank. It is the traditional anchorage where the British fleet is most frequently reviewed by the sovereign on great occasions.

See also warfare at sea.

Spithead mutiny A mutiny by sailors of the British navy based at Spithead, on the southern coast of Britain. In April 1797 the fleet refused to put to sea, calling for better pay and conditions, including the provision of edible food, improved medical services, and opportunities for shore leave. The Admiralty, acknowledging the justice of the sailors' grievances and fearing that the mutiny would spread further agreed to their demands and issued a royal pardon.