Just a small, tangential point. You realise how vital were the skills of ships' carpenters, not least their ability to effect emergency repairs, when you see that the carpenter had a cabin to himself on 'Victory'.
Nelson himself valued the work of carpenters. After the near-loss of Vanguard, he praised in a letter to the Admiralty, not only the captains who got Vanguard ready for sea again in three days, but also mentioned by name, Mr Morrison, carpenter of the 'Alexander' which had towed the damaged 'Vanguard', 'an old and faithful servant of the Crown, and who has been near thirty years a warranted carpenter.'
Were all carpenters warranted, or just the one in charge?
And yes, Devenish, when ARE we going to see 'Bequest'? A kind friend lent me the typescript of the play. Perhaps we could lobby the BBC in this anniversary year?
Last edited by tycho on Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
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