Folios 273-274: William Taylor, HMS La Prompte, in Flushing Roads. Advising of his...

Folios 273-274: William Taylor, HMS La Prompte, in Flushing Roads. Advising of his arrival at this anchorage the previous day, having sailed from the Nore on the morning of 4 October, with 7 victuallers, 2 ordnance ships, and 2 troop ships under convoy, with orders from Admiral Dalrymple to see them to Helvoetsluys. Details of their course given, and heavy weather resulting in their losing sight of the convoy and not finding them again. Taylor spoke several ships but said none had seen any French cruisers on the coast so that he supposes the convoy will be safe enough if they escaped the weather. He has picked up their Lordships' orders, with instructions from Rear Admiral Harvey to cruise between the Maze of Norway and the Isles of Orkney and Shetland, calling at Bergen and the islands for intelligence. He is to complete his provisions as occasion requires at Leith and to take under his command the cutter Resolution, and deliver their Lordships' instructions to the lieutenant. He intends to go immediately to Leith for full provisions of water and food, then on to their station, where he undertakes to send through a monthly journal. Confirms that the recent reductions he was allowed to make to the ship's masts, yards and guns have resulted in a very considerable improvement in her sailing and enabled her to bear a gale of wind much better. Encloses a state and condition report [not now present] and a list of the late convoy.

Folio 275: enclosure with folios 273-274. List of 11 merchant ships that sailed from the Nore with La Prompte, 4 October 1794: Grace, master R. Jackson; Brenthall, A. Countess; Thetis, W. Andrews; Alexander, R. Younger; Elizabeth, T. Halfnight; Dunkirk, J. Johnson; Elizabeth, D. Davidson; Monique, F. Hall; Friendship, R. Robinson; Neptune, J. Cook; and Samaritan's Hope, F. Hinderwell.