Folios 1-2: Peter Halkett, HMS Ganges, the Tagus. Since he last wrote to the Admiralty,...

Folios 1-2: Peter Halkett, HMS Ganges, the Tagus. Since he last wrote to the Admiralty, HMS Jamaica and HMS Nautilus have arrived with a convoy from Newfoundland under orders from Vice Admiral Holloway. The orders were to conduct onward to Cadiz and Gibraltar any convoy ships bound for those destinations, but as there are none he will remain where he is for the moment. He notes a number of defects on the ships that have arrived. HMS Nautilus has sprung its main mast and it needs to be replaced.

The vigour of the officers and crew aboard the two Russian ships of the line mean that they are now are fitted out and ready to sail. He reports that he has told M. Villiers the condition of the Portugese fleet together with the prevailing general apathy. He in turn reported this to the Regency who then gave Captain Halkett permission to examine the state of their own ships. They have also commissioned 22 guns for their ship Magnima and 12 for Princessa Real. He has selected officers to command them. He reports the ship Maria Primeira to be a good ship of 74 guns which is also to be fitted out.

He observes that all this work is being done by British officers and seamen as the indolence of the Portuguese is quite remarkable and they seem to disregard completely the danger they are in. In addition, he sayes the remainder of the Portuguese fleet need considerable repairs. On that basis, should the evacuation of the area prove to be necessary a few more ships of war will be required.

A convoy is departing from Oporto in the middle of next month and he cannot spare a man of war to escort it. He sent HMS Redpole to Vigo on 30th December to request the commanding officer there to order one thousand tons of Transports to Oporto as required by the commander of the forces. There are 600 tons at The Tagus under orders for Oporto too but given the prevailing north wind their passage is presently in doubt which is why his has asked Vigo to assist. He concludes that an Agent for Transports is very much needed at Oporto