Folios 559-560: William Henry Dillon, HMS Horatio, Portsmouth Harbour. As a result...

Folios 559-560: William Henry Dillon, HMS Horatio, Portsmouth Harbour. As a result of striking a rock off Guernsey on 7 [May 1815] the ship has sustained damage which required the crew's constant work to keep her afloat. The slightest relaxation from fatigue or poor spirits would have led to the loss of the ship. he has therefore issued drams and biscuits and on Monday when normally only pease are boiled he directed that a pound of beef per man should be boiled. The ship continued making water at the rate of 3 feet an hour after her arrival in harbour. Her own crew are completely exhausted so it was necessary to send 200 Supernumeraries from different ships. They laboured all night at the pumps and he directed them to be given the same refreshments as his own crew would have had. As a result of these extra issues he granted the Purser a certificate for extra rum, beef and bread. The Victualling Board require authorisation from the Admiralty.