Draft. We are at a loss to express more explicitly than we have, our intention and...

Draft. We are at a loss to express more explicitly than we have, our intention and desire that the ships in Ordinary should not be opened, for the purpose of the annual survey, to a greater extent than that proposed by the Surveyors in their report of 29th June from Plymouth, and that examination should be confined to ships intended for service at sea. We are satisfied that provided the ships are not opened to a greater extent than we intended, no material interruption will arise with other works in the yards. We agree the survey should extend over the full year, reporting to this office by 1st November, giving the date when each ship was surveyed. those not able to make an informed judgement, We think reports from Commissioners at dockyards should be considered strictly confidential to avoid any misconceptions being formed by those not able to make an informed judgement. Have already expressed a view on the extent of the repair to the Boyne at Portsmouth, should undergo.

Enclosure.