On 7 May 1797, when nearly everyone assumed the recent discontents had been amicably settled, a new disturbance broke out in the Channel Fleet. Those in government insisted it was the result of misrepresentations of parliamentary debates in the London newspapers. Those in opposition argued this second mutiny was caused by ministerial delays in confirming the promised wage increase. In truth, there was no second mutiny. From 16 April the men of the Channel Fleet insisted they would not weigh anchor, until an Act of Parliament confirming their pay increase was passed and the King's pardon was secured.

Until the afternoon of 7 May, the disturbance could be (and was) accurately described as a ‘discontent’ or a ‘spirit of unwillingness’. There was no violence: all courtesies were extended and, with one obvious exception, all orders were obeyed. All this changed when the delegates of the fleet rowed from St Helen's to Spithead, where they sought permission to meet in convention on board HMS London. Believing he was acting on Admiralty instructions to maintain discipline and prevent mutinous assemblies, Vice Admiral Sir John Colpoys refused permission to board. What happened next has been debated for two hundred years. While the episode is well documented, few of the accounts agree. The facts are reasonably clear:

• Vice Admiral Colpoys's efforts to maintain discipline failed.

• A heated exchange of words escalated into a heated exchange of bullets.

• Colpoys and his supporters were overpowered, confined and nearly hanged.