Chapter 29 Summary

A severely distorted version of the incident is reported in a naval chronicle under "News from the Mediterranean." In the account, Claggart is treated as a hero who discovered a plot among the lower-class crew led by Billy Budd. The account reads that Budd stabbed Claggart. Budd was no Englishman, the account reads, but a foreigner who had been impressed to serve in the navy. It ends with "The criminal paid the penalty of his crime. The promptitude of the punishment has proved salutary. Nothing amiss is now apprehended aboard HMS. Bellipotent." And this is all that stands in human record to attest what manner of men were John Claggart and Billy Budd.

Chapter 29 Analysis

Billy's life counts for no more than a distorted version of his death.