Folios 559-560: William Charleton, Regulating Captain, North Shields. Response to...

Folios 559-560: William Charleton, Regulating Captain, North Shields. Response to a request to state the case of Robert Sopwith, Able Seaman, aged 32on board HMS Lyra. He was imprest by Lieutenant Thomas Flinn on 20 February 1810 from on board the Success of Newcastle, having no Protection Certificate. He questions him being Master of the Success as he states two men were appointed Master in order to deprive the Navy of men. He encloses an affidavit from Thomas Ratcliffe and questions his actions, quoting an Act of Parliament reference. Robert Sopwith has a wife and three children and has been eighteen years at sea.

Folio 561: enclosure with folios 559-560. Admiralty note dated 4 March 1810. States that the Act of parliament to which Captain William Charleton referred in folios 559-590 deprive Robert Sopwith of his Protection granted to Masters of ships and advises ordering his discharge.

Folios 562-563: enclosure with folios 559-560. Thomas Ratcliffe, North Shields to the Admiralty, 21 February 1810. Encloses an affidavit to lay before the Admiralty.

Folios 564-565: enclosure with folios 559-560. Affidavit signed by Thomas Ratcliffe before Stephen Wright, Justice of the Peace, Northumberland, 21 February 1810. States that Thomas Ratcliffe, Sole Owner of the Brigatine called the Success of the port of Newcastle, appointed Robert Sopwith to be the master on or about 9 February 1810. Explains the circumstances as to why his appointment was not registered at the Customs House and outlines how he came to be impressed. Also states theat the Chief Mate, David Forrest was impressed at the same time.