While HMS Clio escorted Queen Emma, Beresford and other midshipmen stole the American eagle from the U.S. minister's gate. A formal diplomatic demand required them to apologize, return the sign, and reinstall it. Beresford was the senior midshipman and therefore responsible for the junior officers involved. A prank ashore had become an incident requiring action through diplomatic and naval authority.
Notable Point · 27:42-32:26
The Hawaiian legation incident
A prank by Beresford and fellow midshipmen at the U.S. legation in Hawaii became a diplomatic incident and illustrates the limits of discipline for privileged officers.