Folios 25-26: Richard Goodwin Keats, HMS Galatea, In Port. He responds to an enquiry...

Folios 25-26: Richard Goodwin Keats, HMS Galatea, In Port. He responds to an enquiry from the Admiralty about Mr John Dodds who used to be the carpenter aboard HMS Galatea. It seems that Mr Dodds had not served in the navy in the period up to the time he received his warrant as carpenter aboard HMS Galatea. Given that he was therefore, unaware of the law, customs and practices of the Navy it was hoped that he would in time and with guidance, learn them. This did not prove to be the case. He did not return from leave; he was often drunk and absent from his duties. On 20 December, when the ship sailed from Plymouth, having previously gone ashore, he was absent when the ship sailed and so he was marked Run. He was arrested as a deserter but escaped and since then Captain Keith has heard nothing of him. The Admiralty has also asked him to give an account of Mr Thomas Monk. Mr Monk was by trade an shipwright before being appointed Carpenter's Mate. In the eighteen months he has been in that post he has aquitted himself well. He has carried out his duties greatly to Captain Keith's satisfaction.. Accordingly he applied to Commander Sir John Warren for an order to appoint him to act as Carpenter during the time a survey was held of the stores. During that process he again acted with diligence and so Captain Keith recommends his appointment as carpenter. He adds that it appears from a certificate from Lieutenant Allen of HMS Thetis, that Mr Monk was the carpenter on that vessel during the present war.