The Mary Russell was a trading boat that set sail from the harbour of Cobh, Ireland, on 8 February 1828, carrying a cargo of mules bound for Barbados.
Built in 1817, the Mary Russell was a small wooden brig of 132 tonnes, drawing 13 feet under load, single-decked with beams.
Captain James Gould Raynes, a Cork man, who had sailed to Barbados on board Hibernia, was relieved of his command for drunkenness.
Captain Stewart first bound the seven men by hand and foot, pinioning them to the floor of the ship's main saloon.
Daniel O’Connell was engaged to appear for the prosecution at Stewart’s trial, but was unable to attend as he was fighting the pivotal by-election in County Clare that first elected him to the House of Commons.