Folios 261-262: William Taylor, HMS La Prompte, at Sheerness. Advising that his ship...

Folios 261-262: William Taylor, HMS La Prompte, at Sheerness.

Advising that his ship was brought into dock on Monday, and has since been stripped of her copper so far as need be to find the leak. However the bottom appears perfectly sound and if the caulking is also good then it is only that the copper is dirty and the leaking must be down to overstraining the ship owing to her masts being too taut, her yards too square and her guns too heavy. This is his opinion, shared by his officers and others whose judgement he has consulted. Despite La Prompte being well fitted for sailing, he says every man of war they have sailed with has beaten her considerably. She is 'so very crank' that with a fresh wind and carrying topgallant sails she lays her guns under water, etc. Therefore requests that he be allowed to reduce her masts and yards to the dimensions of a 20-gun ship, and her guns from 9 to 6 pounders. These and other small alterations he says should make her sail very fast and well. Adds the changes can be done quickly and the 6-pound guns are in stock at the store. Thanks their Lordships for the direction regarding the 32 impressed men's bounty, ie that they are not entitled to it, and says he will inform them.