A group of naval volunteers rioted at Chester, when one of their shipmates was press-ganged and thrown into the gaol. Many doors and windows were destroyed. It took four companies of troops from the Shropshire militia to calm the situation.
“A press-gang stationed at Chester having on the 28th ult. pressed one of the volunteers, who had been at sea, and lodged him in gaol, a great number of the members of the corps to which he belonged proceeded, after their parade, to the prison, and demanded the man. On receiving a refusal they threatened to proceed to violence, when Major Wilmot, their commander, came up, and declared that he would put the first man to death that attempted to force the gaol; upon which he was seized by the volunteers, some of whom called out to have his sword broken over his head. By the assistance of some friends, he was, however, rescued from them unhurt. They then turned their fury against the gaol; the windows and doors of which they forced in; upon which the gaoler, in order to secure the rest of the prisoners, gave him up: they then chaired him through the city. The naval rendezvous was the next object of attack, the windows and doors of which they destroyed. At their approach the press-gang retired; but, leaving their colours, the volunteers tore them from the staff, and dragged them in the kennel. Lieut. Col. Cuyler, inspecting Field Officer of volunteers in the district called upon the Magistrates to use their authority, who sent a note to Lieut. Burchell, requesting him to take his gang away till troops should arrive. – Four companies of the Shropshire Supplementary Militia, having arrived from Liverpool, at the end of some days, peace was restored.”
The Stamford Mercury, 20th January, 1804.