After gambling debts prompted his transfer from HMS Defence, Beresford was made senior midshipman aboard HMS Clio in hopes that responsibility would mature him. In Hawaii he and colleagues removed the American eagle from the U.S. legation while drunk, embarrassing their captain and creating a British-American diplomatic incident. The midshipmen had to return with carpenters to restore the emblem they could not repair themselves. Beresford nevertheless moved quickly toward acting sub-lieutenant, a result the video contrasts with the likely fate of a less protected officer.
Chapter · 11:37-15:05
The Hawaii incident and a protected career
A prank that caused a diplomatic incident in Hawaii becomes a clear example of Beresford escaping consequences that could have stalled another officer's career.