Folios 450-451: Philip Hue, HMS Actaeon, Liverpool. Advising that Mr Young Appleby...

Folios 450-451: Philip Hue, HMS Actaeon, Liverpool. Advising that Mr Young Appleby has joined the ship as 2nd lieutenant, but he wants to express his concern about the appointment as he is not sure their Lordships are aware of this officer having only one leg. Though this position in the Actaeon is perhaps considered not so active, this is not really the case - there are often up to 300 new raised men aboard and the officers must exert all their power to prevent escapes. He is apprehensive that rather than being deterred by an active young officer deserters will take advantage of a disabled man who would be unable to stop them. He himself often has to jump up and run on deck during the night when ships are going up and down the river in strong tides as men are often tempted to jump aboard them. He adds that his 1st lieutenant, David Barron, was only made lieutenant less than a year ago, so has little experience to offer.