Folios 258-259: E Reginald Baker, HMS Dannemark, Downs. He announces his arrival...

Folios 258-259: E Reginald Baker, HMS Dannemark, Downs. He announces his arrival with a convoy from the Cape of Good Hope according to the orders given to him by Vice Admiral Tyler, a copy of which he encloses. He gives details of the journey. The Convoy left Simons Bay on 16 August 1814; arrived at St Helena on 6 September 1814. He had been ordered to meet with Captain Hawkey of HMS Barracouta and any other waiting ships and include them in the convoy but Captain Hawkey had already departed with 4 vessels. They sailed on but two of the vessels in the convoy The Ranger and The John Hill failing to obeyinstructions signalled to them parted from the convoy and could not be seen the next morning. The next day despite signals sent to the entire convoy The Batavia, an East Indiaman with James Mayne of the East India Company, also sailed off on her own.

He encloses a list of those ships in the convoy and a description of the condition of HMS Dannemark.

He encloses a letter from the Governor of St Helena requesting some changes in the arrangement of the troops on the island. He wants them moved from the Marchioness of Exeter to a transport ship.

Folio 259: enclosure with folios 258-259. Copy letter dated 6 September 1814 by W. H. Brooke to Captain Baker of HMS Dannemark, St Helena. He writes that the Governor and Council are concerned that the The East India Company's ships are unable to take on board all the troops bound for England as there is insufficient room and ask if the navy can help them by putting them on board some empty transport ships presently at St Helena and escorting those ships to England. He also records the arrival of the Ship Archduke Charles and that an audit is being conducted of her stores. They will make good any shortages provided the goods are available on St Helena.

Folios 260-261: enclosure with folios 258-259. Copy of orders to from Captain Reginald Baker from Vice Admiral Charles Tyler by the command of Vice Admiral James Dawe. The letter lists those ships that Captain Bake, together with HMS Stag is to take in convoy several Transports Olive Branch, Fame, Nearchus, Harrison, Chapman and Monarch and take them to St Helena where HMS Barracouta will be waiting to join him. From there he is to return to The Downs and await further orders and give the Admiralty an account of his voyage. HMS Stag is to go to Spithead.

The letter adds that the East India Company has complained that their ships have been damaged as a consequence of being towed and so this practice is to cease.

In the event that elements of the convoy are separated on the voyage, any ships bound for the channel ports are to use Spithead and Falmouth as designated rendezvous from where they will be placed in further convoy to take them on to their destinations. Failing that they are to head for any appropriate destination including Scilly and wait for a convoy.

Folio 262: enclosure with folios 258-259. A document signed by Captain Reginald Baker, listing the defects on his ship HMS Dannemark.