Folios 416-417: Edward Grey, Regulating Captain, Hull. Following orders, last evening...

Folios 416-417: Edward Grey, Regulating Captain, Hull. Following orders, last evening an impress from protection took place, impressing more than ninety. After regulating, 24 were retained for HM Services, one of which was a Sea Fencible named Thomas Alcock who has a certificate from Captain Ribouleau with protection for 3 months. He is sending the certificate for information. According to the Instructions regarding Sea Fencibles, that Officer is not authorised to give protection to Seamen for such a length of time. Besides, Thomas Alcock is nothing like the description of a man to be given protection. He is only 22 years with 7 years at se with HMS Northumberland and paid off in 1802. He considers his duty to mention that the impress service in injured by the Officers of the Sea Fencibles who take all kinds of Seamen under their protection. The Coasters are mainly manned by them and as soon as they arrive from abroad, are enrolled for protection against the impress. He expects the Lynn tender to taken men to the Nore tomorrow including Thomas Alcock. PS There are several Brigs who trade from London to Thorne generally with an upward cargo of H M Ordinance Stores and have protections from the Board of Ordinance, but not signed by The Admiralty. He asked for information to clarify this position.

Folio 418: enclosure with folios 416-417. Certificate dated 19 July1803 by Captain Ribouleau, Wells, to all Officers of the regulating and impress service in H M Navy. Certificate of Protection for Thomas Alcock of the Sea Fencibles of Lynn District from Cromer to Forsdyke, Norfolk. Lists some of Alcock’s physical description. Renewed until 17 September 1803.

Folio 419: enclosure with folios 416-417. Daily report dated 9 November 1803 by Edward Grey, Regulating Captain, Hull to the Admiralty. The Report of HM’s ships in the Humber area: HMS Helder and Sheerness Tender.