Folios 193-194: James Caulfield, Regulating Captain, North Shields. Responding to...

Folios 193-194: James Caulfield, Regulating Captain, North Shields. Responding to Admiralty query on Alexander Duncan, sent to the Nore by the Eliza tender on 31 January, returning enclosures. Says Duncan was impressed by Lt Fullton on 20th January, having served several years with his father, a pilot on the River Tyne, before being bound. The father claims the boy was only occasionally with him and not paid, which Caulfeild does not find surprising as he was living at home. Duncan is aged 20, an active young man.

Folios 195-196: enclosure with folios 193-194, Cover letter dated 25 January 1814 by William Crawford, South Shields, at the request of Edward Harper, Master Mariner, enclosing the indenture [not now present] and affidavit for his apprentice Alex Duncan. He adds that Mr Harper points out it is normal practice for boys in seafaring towns to go in boats, though they are not employed or paid.

Folios 197-198: enclosure with folios 195-196. Affidavit by Robert Duncan that his son was bound apprentice to Harper on 13 March 1811 for 5 years but never served at sea before that, only accompanied him sometimes on the river, unpaid. Also the statement of Joseph Corbie and Gilbert Nevens, of Durham, pilots, confirming on oath Durham's affidavit.