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Porpoise Spithead Sept.r 17th. 1799 -
Dear Sir -
I make no doubt but the Receipt of this from me in an English Port, will surprize you not a little, we thought ourselves compensated for the long & [ruinous?] detention we had escaped, by the favourable wind that carried us out of the Channel & into the Bay, where a strong gale of wind came on, previous to which our tiller was carried away & the head & main piece of the Rudder sprung in so dangerous a manner, as to occasion us to apprehend its going entirely before the gale subsided, which providentially did not happen, as soon as we could have any intercourse with the Admiral & the danger of the defect was confirmed by this carpenter we were ordered to the first port in England, after what has happened I need not point out to you that which the Porpoise retains her present Shape & length she is much fitter to be placed on your [Canal?], than to go outside a port - She is now sufficiently stiff - & does much better
Sept 20-21