Folios 460-461: Alexander Inglis Cochrane, HMS Northumberland, Bear Haven. Reports...

Folios 460-461: Alexander Inglis Cochrane, HMS Northumberland, Bear Haven. Reports his arrival, found HMS Magnificent, HMS Majestic, HMS Ganges and HMS Thunderer already at anchor and has taken them under his command. As soon as HMS Majestic has finished taking on additional ballast, he will cruise with these ships off Cape Clear for as long as the weather permits. He has ordered the sails of HMS Thunderer to be surveyed, as Captain William Bedford reports that almost all of them are worn out, and will try to find spare sails for her from other ships. All the ships are in need of warm clothing and blankets. The Admiralty's letter of November 9, 1803, said that the transport Ranger was due in Beer Haven with stores, but as the ships currently here will not be able to load all her stores he will order the transport to Bantry, and the harbour at Beer is totally unprotected. As he has no small vessel for carrying news or despatches, asks if the Excise vessel which is there can be enlisted, particularly to escort the transport to Bantry.

Folio 462: enclosed with folios 460-461. Masters C Salmond of HMS Northumberland, H Cradock of HMS Ganges and William Broad of HMS Majestic, aboard HMS Thunderer, Bear Haven, 22 November 1803. As directed by Captain Alexander Cochrane, their survey of the sails of HMS Thunderer.