as Captain Schank shall advise ; and direct: the Mastert Ship-wrightS-of
Deptford and Woolwich Yards with their Assistants, and also the Masters
Attendant of those Yards, carefully to inspect angfcreport.tojyau'. the
state in which they, find her to be ; as also the -different qualities &of the
vessel, according to the best accounts they may be abl$..to collect from
her Officers in the various trials they have made of her ; and you'Vill'also
direél them to consider and report to you, whether the repairing of .vessels
so constructed will be attended with great difficulty, and whether
they will be more or less expensive than vessels of the old 'construction :
and when you have received and maturely considered the Said Reports,
and received such explanation from Captain Schank as you may think
necessary, you are to transmit to us copies thereof, with your opinion of
the advantages that may be derived to his .Majesty’s service fronVthe
invention above-mentioned.
We are
Your affectionate friend's, -
Afiroj/ Board, (Signed)
CHATHAM,
HOOD,
J. M. TOWNSIIËND.
In pursuance of this order the Trial cutter was taken into Woolwich
Doek-yard and there inspected ; and the Officers belonging to her were
distinctly and separately examined : after which the following Report was
made to the .Navy Board by . the several Officers empowered to inspect
the vessel and examine the Officers :
. honourable" sirs, ___ fYookoich Yard, 'Q&th April, 179f*
In obedience to your Order of the l 6 th instant," we have taken his
Majesty’s Armed Vessel into a-dock, on blocks five feet high, and have
very carefully inspected the Vessel, Wells, and Sliding Keels, ‘and. cannot
discover the least defect in either.
We are of opinion, vessels so constructed will be a little more expensive
than others, but may be repaired without any difficulty.
Inclosed
Inclosed you will receive. the Questions put by us to the Lieutenant and
Master separately;’ with.their Answers»;., and.remain,
Honourable Sirs,.
Your mostn'pbedientservants,
^«GILBERT, M.WÀRË, ■'
J. DANN,- ^ J. FRANKLAND,
> - RICH. ' FROWSE; WM; RULE,
llENR^ PEAKE. ‘
Honouratf%&Ncivy Board.
Questions put separately to Lieutenant Malbo n ,>.and Mr. William:
Miln?e, MashrfM tAe. Tri a l Cutter; with-their; Answersbeing the
' Inclosure_ alludpd to inJhe foregoingLetter.
Question 1 . How long have .you belonged'to the Trial Cutfer Fv \
Lieutenant.*-> Sjxteqn,mouths. -
Masfer.. '.Sixteen months.
Question 1. - What kind of a spa. boat doiyou find her to he ?
Lieut. A very, good sea boat.
Master. A wrydMely vessel in, a sea.
QuMtiori 3. Is she stiff,in carrying sailS^I
Lieut.. .Very, stiff. . .
Master. Yes, very stiff. .
Question 4. What effect do you ybserve the Keels.to have on her ?.
Lieut. When they are all up she'does not hqld so good a wind.
Master. Keeping her’to windward.
Question 5 / Does She steer well with the Keels all down.?
Lieut. . Very well.
Master,» ^ e ry , well.
Question 6 . Does she steer equally well with the Keels all
Lieut, ■ • Not so well as with them down.:
Master.. She:does not.
Question.