The Surrender of Napoleon: Being the narrative of the surrender of Buonaparte, and of his residence on board H.M.S. Bellerophon, with a detail of the principal events that occurred in that ship between the 24th of May and the 8th of August 1815

In Short

This work serves as a primary historical document, chronicling the final weeks of Napoleon Bonaparte’s freedom aboard the H.M.S. Bellerophon in 1815. Written by the ship’s captain, it provides a disciplined, day-by-day account of the tension surrounding the surrender, the diplomatic ambiguity of the British government’s stance, and the daily rhythms of life with a legend in captivity. It has endured as an essential piece of maritime and Napoleonic history, prized for its unwavering, factual tone and its role in clearing the captain’s name against contemporary accusations of deception.

The Story

The narrative begins in the late spring of 1815, as Captain Frederick Lewis Maitland patrols the Basque Roads, tasked with intercepting Napoleon Bonaparte following his defeat at Waterloo. The atmosphere is thick with uncertainty; Maitland must navigate the complex, often contradictory signals from the British Admiralty while maintaining a blockade against French frigates. The crux of the drama arrives when Napoleon, recognizing that his escape to America is impossible, chooses to surrender to the Bellerophon.

Maitland approaches this delicate task with professional caution. He refuses to offer any formal guarantees of asylum or specific treatment, repeatedly informing Napoleon’s envoys that the Emperor must consider himself entirely at the mercy of the British Prince Regent. Once Napoleon boards, the ship transforms into a gilded, floating prison. The narrative shifts to the domestic realities of hosting a man who, until recently, held the map of Europe in his hand. Maitland observes the daily habits, temperaments, and anxieties of the fallen leader and his entourage, documenting everything from their critiques of English agriculture to their fears of being handed over to the French royalist government.

As the Bellerophon sails for England, the political pressure intensifies. Maitland finds himself caught in a web of legal and diplomatic maneuvers. Outside forces—including frantic supporters and curious onlookers—attempt to intervene, and the British government remains tight-lipped, issuing strict orders to prevent any unauthorized communication. Maitland is forced to defend his honor, writing letters to his superiors to ensure that the men who surrendered under his protection are not treated as common criminals or delivered to the scaffold.

The story reaches its inevitable conclusion when the Admiralty orders the transfer of Napoleon to the Northumberland for his permanent exile on St. Helena. The final chapters capture a haunting, somber atmosphere on the ship. The departure is not marked by fanfare, but by a profound, dead silence that descends upon the crew. Even the most hardened sailors are struck by the sight of the man they had spent years fighting, now a passenger stripped of his throne. The narrative closes with Napoleon’s final, polite gesture of farewell toward the ship’s company, leaving Maitland to reflect on a historical transaction that transformed his career and placed him forever in the shadows of one of history’s most enigmatic figures.

How It Unfolds

The blockade tightens Maitland keeps a vigilant watch over the French coast, navigating the persistent rumors of Napoleon’s attempts to flee. The uncertainty of the mission forces him to make split-second decisions about how to engage with the French frigates.

The surrender negotiated Envoys arrive on board to test the waters, hoping to secure favorable terms for the Emperor. Maitland maintains a firm, professional boundary, refusing to promise anything beyond safety from immediate violence.

Napoleon comes aboard The arrival of the former Emperor shifts the ship’s daily routine, as the crew balances their duty with their fascination. Maitland documents the cultural friction between the French guests and the English officers.

Political isolation Upon reaching English waters, the Bellerophon is treated as an untouchable vessel, with strict Admiralty orders preventing any contact with the shore. Maitland navigates the mounting stress of these restrictions, particularly regarding the safety of Napoleon’s subordinates.

The final transfer The arrival of the orders for St. Helena signals the end of the brief, strange period of coexistence. Maitland manages the logistics of the transfer, ensuring the transition adheres to his instructions while maintaining his own sense of personal integrity.

The People

Captain Frederick Lewis Maitland emerges as the central figure: a man of rigid duty, deep personal honor, and surprising domestic sentimentality. His primary goal is to perform his service without staining his reputation, a task complicated by his intense desire to reunite with his wife, whom he references with recurring, tender devotion. He is a man who treats the highest political dramas with the same meticulous care he applies to the welfare of his crew.

Napoleon Bonaparte appears not as a conqueror, but as an observant, somewhat melancholic guest. He is described as a man who has accepted his fate but remains acutely aware of his status, constantly questioning Maitland on English customs and the perceived quality of his own treatment. He seeks to maintain a sense of dignity even as his world collapses, often trying to charm or soothe those around him, such as when he repairs his relationship with the offended Count Bertrand during a heated debate over the cost of an English estate.

The entourage, including General Savary and Count Las Cases, acts as a buffer between the Captain and the Emperor. They are driven by fear of personal reprisal, constantly pressuring Maitland to guarantee their safety against the French authorities. Their presence turns the Bellerophon into a stage where the remnants of the Napoleonic court clash with the cold, bureaucratic reality of British military law, eventually forcing Maitland to become their unlikely advocate.

In Its Own Voice

"I informed him I was going to wait on the Commander-in-chief, and requested to know if I could convey any message from him."

Maitland describes the formal, polite interaction between a captain and his prisoner during the final days of the voyage.

"I can only account for his showing himself as usual, by supposing either that he was not in fact so much annoyed as I had believed him to be, or that he was actuated by a desire of creating a feeling of commiseration among the English people in his behalf."

Maitland reflects on Napoleon’s calculated public behavior after learning of his permanent exile to St. Helena.

"The ship's deck looked like a place of execution, and we only wanted the headsman, his block, and his axe, to complete the scene."

The author describes the crushing, silent gravity felt by the entire ship’s company moments before the former Emperor departed for his final exile.

What It's Really About

At its heart, this is a study of accountability during a moment of profound historical change. The book explores the tension between individual ethics and state policy, as Maitland constantly worries about how his actions will be interpreted by history. It asks: what constitutes "good faith" when dealing with a defeated enemy? Maitland’s obsession with ensuring his promises are kept—even when they were only verbal—suggests that for him, the integrity of an officer’s word is a more powerful currency than official decrees. Beneath the plot lies a quiet meditation on the nature of greatness in decline, and how those in the periphery of power—the sailors and captains—witness the transition of a man into a symbol.

Why Read It Today

Readers with an interest in naval history or the Napoleonic era will find this account indispensable for its granular detail. It is not a romanticized biography, but a cold, hard look at a logistical and diplomatic crisis, written by a man who was there to see the color of the furniture and the fatigue on the prisoner's face.

For the modern reader, the prose is clear and accessible, though one must be prepared for the formal, somewhat dense language of the early 19th century. The book is remarkably honest about the boredom and the crushing administrative weight of military service, providing a sharp contrast to the high-drama events it describes. You will find it rewarding if you enjoy "fly-on-the-wall" history—the kind that focuses on the small, human moments that anchor massive events. It is a slow, methodical read that demands patience, but it offers a rare, grounded perspective on a figure usually obscured by myth. What stays with you is not the battle of Waterloo, but the image of a defeated, middle-aged man standing at the railing of a wooden ship, trying to understand his new, limited world.