A court-martial turned into promotion

The prosecution treated both Wessel's disclosure of his ammunition shortage and his decision to engage a stronger vessel as misconduct. He defended himself vigorously by reading the service's own rules back to the court. Because Olbing Galley had tried to flee, Wessel argued that the naval code required him to attack regardless of the enemy's size. The argument impressed Frederick IV, secured acquittal in December 1714, and was followed by Wessel's audacious request for promotion. Within weeks, the king who had ordered the court-martial made him a captain.