Folios 368-369: Thomas Wells, HMS Defence, Falmouth. Reports that within the last...

Folios 368-369: Thomas Wells, HMS Defence, Falmouth. Reports that within the last three days there has been a dramatic increase in the number of men affected by the flux and is increasing to a very alarming degree. States that the Second Lieutenant, the Captain of the Marines and several Petty Officers are among those affected and that he has made application to Physician of the Sick at Falmouth and also the Mayor for some place to send the sick on shore. Explains that his Surgeon has advised him of the impossibility of preventing the further progress of the contagion unless the people are separated. He has, therefore, with the consent of Captain Douglas, and the advice of his surgeon and two physicians from Falmouth, sent forty men on shore to St Mawe's Castle. States that he feels St Mawe's Castle to be exactly suited to such a purpose being distant from the town and having one large room of forty foot square and the other parts occupied by an old Gunner and his wife. Says he would not have taken it upon himself but for the extreme urgency of the situation and the length of time to communicate with the Admiralty from Falmouth.

Folio 370: enclosure with folios 368-369. Letter dated 6 June 1797 by Dr Stephen Luke, Mayor, Falmouth. Responds to the request for accommodation for the sick that it is impossible to provide lodgings for so great a number. Suggests the temporary use St Mawe's Castle which could be easily obtained by an application to the Commanding Officer there stating the urgent necessity.

Folio 371: enclosure with folios 368-369. Letter dated 6 January 1797 by Thomas Cochrane, Falmouth, to Thomas Wells, Captain. States that it is not in his power to accommodate the sick on shore as it impossible to procure the numbers required with every house being full and the aversion of the inhabitants to having any infections spread amongst them. Advises that the best solution to getting the sick ashore would be to send them to St Mawe's Castle where there is a very large airy room and several apartments belonging to the Government and totally unoccupied.