Folios 165-166: James Nash, Regulating Captain, Leith Rendezvous. Encloses a copy...

Folios 165-166: James Nash, Regulating Captain, Leith Rendezvous. Encloses a copy of a letter concerning two French privateers which captured a collier and chased several other vessels into Cromer, and also a letter from Lieutenant John Gourly about the impressment of George Harrison, Carpenter of the Brothers. Reports the case of James Finlay, an apprentice whose case is also mentioned in Lieutenant Gourly's letter, and says George Poad is wrong to say that his vessel was left in distress.

Folios 167-168: enclosed with folios 165-166. Letter dated 28 June 1803 from Christopher Bainbridge, South Shields, to the Admiralty. Encloses [not present] an indenture relating to James Findlay, apprentice to George Poad, and an application for his discharge, and also seeks the discharge of George Harrison, Carpenter, who was impressed at the same time.

Folio 169: enclosed with folios 165-166. Note headed "Benorck Master [?] off Cromer 31 June 1803" giving a brief account of the capture of a brig by two privateers, which then chased the writer's vessel for 20 miles.

Folios 170-172: enclosed with folios 165-166. Letter dated 4 July 1803 from Lieutenant John Gourly, HMS Mary. Leith Roads to Regulating Captain James Nash. Encloses [not present] a lawyer's letter he has received on behalf of Henry Poad, Master of the Brothers of South Shields, which he says containes many untruths. Provides a detailed account of his actions in stopping and searching the vessel before impressing George Harrison, the Carpenter, and apprentice James Findlay. Harrison later admitted there were other crew concealed in a hiding place he had built aboard the vessel at the request of the owner, George Poad.

Folios 172-173: enclosed with folios 165-166. List dated 26 June 1803 by Henry Poad, Master of the Brothers of Shields, at sea. Lists the seven crew of the vessel and says this is everyone aboard. Endorsed by Lieutenant John Gourly to say that he thinks two other members of the crew whose names he lists were concealed aboard the vessel when Henry Poad gave him this list. 1 July 1803. List by William Bell, Master of the Juno of Levin, Andrew Thomson, owner. Lists nine members of the crew.

Folios 173-174: enclosed with folios 165-166. Affidavit dated 28 June 1803 and sworn by George Poad, owner of the Brother of South Shields, Co Durham, before Justice of the Peace Richard Walks. Swears that while the vessel was on passage from Newcastle upon Tyne to Aberdeen on 26 June they were boarded off St Abbs Head by Lieutenant John Gourly of HMS Mary, who proceeded to impress the Carpenter, George Harrison, and Mr Poad's apprentice James Findlay, encloses [not present] Findlay's indenture. Swears that Harrison sailed with him as Carpenter to Copenhagen, Memel and Aberdeen. Seeks their discharge.

Folio 175: enclosed with folios 165-166. Copy of a letter dated 30 June 1803 from Thomas Taylor, Master, the Glasgow, at sea, to Mr Melleuries. Reports that his vessel and the Berwick have been waiting off Cromer together with the Cato of Aberdeen, unable to proceed because of two privateers lying off the light boat, which chased 20 fishing vessels yesterday and then captured a loaded collier.

Topics

Labour

Piracy and privateering

Navy

Fishing

Armed Forces (General Administration)