Letter received by Banks from Philip Gidley King, 11 February 1799 (Series 39.033) - No. 0002

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that head, in which I may make an Error of a few inches in the dimensions I am about to state - As it is entirely from recollection however imperfect as it may be it will serve to give you some Idea of the Ship - From the Bends to the top of her gunnel is about 10 Feet 6 In. And from the breast of the Main Mast close aft she has a Bulwark or Barricaded Quarters about 8 Inches thick & about 6 Inch high including the Sheer rail - which makes about 16 Feet top works abaft the Main mast & 10 feet 6 Inches forward - as The draw ~ when she left the Downs, the proportion of the top work out of the Water, to that below it, Before the Main mast ie. 10 F. 6 is by no means too great - But it appears equally evident & as Confirmed by the trial of the Ship; That the great height & weight of Upper Works abaft the Main Mast, And the Weight of the Garden, must greatly contribute to the Crankness complained of, which will be sufficiently Obvious when her [indecipherable] & depth are Considered - When I saw Mr. Scott he told me that he had Calculated the weight of the Boxes to be Five tons. (Calculating from the weight of one Box) & the Garden head &c at another Ten; This certainly is a great weight at the extremity of the Axis in a heavy Sea & Strong Wind - But, how for that may be remedied by the following steps without removing the garden, must depend on the Navy Boards deliberations or the Masters Observations; And I am sorry that I have not seen Mr. Scott to consult him on it before I mention it to you in Case the Navy Board should communicate with you on the subject - no Man could expres more Concern than did the Master at the necessity of making his statement to the Board, both to myself as well as Capt Phillip who was present, & lamented this disappointment in the event of the Garden being removed having promised himself the satisfaction of carrying so rich a treasure to that Colony - since seeing him the first day of his arrival it has occurred to me that the Utility of the Plants to the Colony, merits the Garden being continued where it is If Possible; as their existance in any other situation is very doubtful. I have also thought that the great height & weight of the Quarters above the Sheer rail, abaft the Mn. Mast, might be dispensed with in a vessell not designed for fighting, As it must greatly operate against the Vessells Stiffness & being enabled to carry such Sail as Events might require in particular Situations - I should therefore propose all that Barricading to be taken away, & wooden or