Philip Stephens. Rear Admiral Lord Colvill, Commander in Chief of HM ships in North...

Philip Stephens. Rear Admiral Lord Colvill, Commander in Chief of HM ships in North America, informs us that his endeavours to manage the business of Halifax Yard is not easy as the Storekeeper is unacquainted with the methods and establishments of the English yards and he has no instructions to guide him. He needs to appoint a Clerk of the Survey, Master Shipwright and Master Attendant. Mr. Gerrish, the present Storekeeper at Halifax was appointed by Admiral Boscawen upon his commanding there in 1755 and the usual instructions were sent in March 1757 and he was approved of by Lord Colvill so see no reason why he finds it difficult to comply with his duty. Opine the Storekeeper can do the duty of the Clerk of the Survey and no such Officer has been appointed at any of the other foreign ports. The utility of a Master Shipwright and Master Attendant must depend on the number of ships upon the station which is not great enough to make this appointment necessary. We hope, whenever more ships are in port to refit than can be dispatched by the Naval Officer and Foreman of Shipwrights, the appointment of persons to act as Master Shipwright and Master Attendant on daily pay would answer the purpose