Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v4p1.djvu/371

 “Of the warrant officers tried by courts-martial, I believe two-thirds are for neglect or irregularity when on dock-yard duty.”

“Seven lighters, of about sixty tons each, and one decked-boat belonging to the yard, were employed at Portsmouth dock-yard during the French war; instances frequently occurred in the winter time of one of these vessels being employed three weeks on a service, which might have been performed in less than one, if done under the direction of the dockyard people. During this delay, other ships were using newly drawn boats in endeavouring to get their stores off.

“As so much more expedition would be used by the stores being entirely shipped by dock-yard people, there is reason to believe that no more lighters, or decked boats, would be required; at all events four, of about twenty tons each, to convey present-use stores to the large ships, and sea and foreign stores to the smaller vessels, would be sufficient.

“It is presumed that no more than sixty additional labourers would be required; all heavy work being now performed by convicts.

“Lighters of sixty tons burthen were, I believe, hired during the French war, at 28/. each, per month, and vessels from fifteen to twenty tons would probably cost from 12/. to 15/. each. These vessels might be built in the dock-yard, and two men borne on the yard books as riggers, attached to each, allowing the whole to be hired–

“Of the many serious accidents which have befallen the crews of boats employed on dock-yard duty, the following came within the notice of oHicers now on the spot.

“Thirty-five men were lost in the Hibernia’s launch, and fourteen in the Dreadnought’s, at Plymouth, in 1808 and 1809. Fifteen were lost in the Bombay’s cutter, in the Downs, in 1809. About fifteen in one of the Caesar’s boats, at Plymouth, in 1798. The Impetueux’s cutter, full of stores, sunk alongside the Santa Margaritta, in Hamoaze, (on her way to Cawsand Bay); the boat, stores, and coxswain were lost. The Princess of Orange’s launch, loaded with cordage, sunk in the Downs, in 1810; two men were drowned, and the boat, and stores were lost.”

“From Cawsand Bay, with the wind northerly, and tide of ebb, a launch is often two or three hours getting to the dock-yard, the boat’s-crew wet and fatigued; by the time the old stores are landed, and laid