Philip Stephens. If Petty Officers are to be appointed to foreign transports, to...

Philip Stephens. If Petty Officers are to be appointed to foreign transports, to superintend the navigation of the ship and to answer signals, ask if the Master should issue provisions or the Petty Officers and if so what assistance he will receive. If they are appointed, ask what number will be required and the allowance they will receive. Observe that they will be under the direction of the Lieutenant acting as Agent for Transports. Opine that a Petty officer should be appointed and should indent with the Victualling Office and be charged for provisions in the same manner as Masters of English transports, being allowed 4s. per day with a person to assist at Able Seaman's pay, acting as a Purser's Steward. Thirty foreign ships are already taken up in Holland and 4 at Hamburg so the persons wanted should be sent forthwith to the Elbe. Persons are wanted for the 15 Dutch ships at Deptford, now taking in forage and provisions.