Letter received by Banks from Philip Gidley King, 6 February 1799 (Series 39.032) - No. 0001

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83 St. Georges Sq Portsea
Feb 6th 1799-

Dear Sir

Notwithstanding the badness of the weather & the uncertainty of the Porpoises arrival we arrived here on Monday night - And were fortunate enough to hear of the Porpoises arrival the next day - She was out during the whole of the Gale & made extreem bad Weather The Master is so much alarmed at the crankness of the Ship that he has found it absolutely necessary to write officially to the Navy Board; & has stated the necessity there is for removing the Plants Cabbin from the Quarter deck & has suggested the propriety of it being placed in the tween decks abreast of the Mainmast to be secured by Stantions & Nettings - The instance he gives of the great hazard attending the weight of the Garden being so high up, joined to her shortness & the impossibility of her carrying any Sail, seems to have rendered his present Application absolutely necessary as the only means of her being rendered at all sea-worthy - Should the Navy Board see the necessity for this request being agreed to, I shall very much lament the disappointment that will attend your benevolent exertions & endeavours to benefit a place that owes so

Sept 7 ---9