Letter received by Banks from James Grant, 31 January 1800 (Series 23.22) - No. 0002

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will at all events to Men of Nautical Profession be a positive proof; (if I am successful in her) of vessels built on her plan & nearly her size being best adapted to make the actual surveys of Coasts; & Harbors - As from the Flatness of her Floor & her little Draft of water two great advantages are attached to the Lady Nelson.

With Nine months Provisions at Kings allowance & six months water at a gallon each man per Day, Boats, Guns, Anchors Eight in number & a proportionable quantity of Cables etc etc. I can with safety run into seven Feet water the vessel only drawing six abaft, And by the use of the sliding hulls, I am enabled to haul off a Lee shore equal to any Cutter in the Navy, As I can increase the Draft of water (Forward, Aft, & amidships) from six feet to twelve; at any one of the above places separately or at all together of them together & in the space of half a minute of time.

But I trust it will be still more satisfactory to you to know some of the good Qualitys in General of my little Vessel - Which Experience has taught me - during these last heavy Gales Nine Days of which I have Rode with her in the Downs & Blowing for the most part a mere Gale from S.S.W.  On the night of the 23rd Instant it Blew a mere storm & many Signals of Distress were made in the offing - in the morning six Vessels were on Shore one a Large ship belonging to the Victualling Board entirely dissmasted & two Ships without Mast or Bowsprit belonging to Liverpool had drove very near me.  I saw two more pass me in the Night.  I am very sorry to say there are two Ships that had parted that night has not yet