In-letters and orders received by the Navy Board

Extract of a letter from Admiral Russell in which he reports that the DUKE is leaking and that he intends to remove her sheathing. The DEVONSHIRE has also developed a serious leak and is to be careened. He comments very adversely on ships built on the Hampton River. He also reports that when preparing to careen the CARLISLE her stem was found to be broken; and comments that her builder had used unsuitable timber. He continues by saying that he is making these reports in an effort to improve the building of ships in the future and that an example should be made of ship-builders found wanting.