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| A sailor converses with a carpenter dressed in typical fashion, petticoat breeches & thrumb cap. Published by Walker & Miller January 1807. National Maritime Museum Greenwich |
For the Carpenter.
I.
I.
When any one of his majesty’s ships is ordered to be commissioned, the Carpenter is to inspect very minutely into the state of the masts and yards, as well those which may be in store in the Dock Yard, as those on board, to ensure there being perfectly sound and in good order. He is also to examine every part of the hull, the magazine, store rooms and cabins; and he is to report to the Master Shipwright at the Port any defect which he may discover in any of them.
II
He is to make every possible exertion in getting his Stores on board, and he is to be very particular in observing that they are all perfectly good, and that he receives the full allowance of every article.
III
When the ship is at sea, he is,once at least every day to examine into the state of the masts and yards, and to report to the Officer of the watch when he discovers any of them being sprung, or to be in any way defective.
IV
In ships of two decks he is frequently to examine the lower deck-ports, to see that they are properly lined; and when they are barred in, he and his Mates are frequently to see that they are all properly secured.
V
He is to be particularly careful in keeping the pumps in good order, always having at hand whatever may be necessary to repair them.
VI
He is to keep the Boats, ladders, and gratings in as good condition as possible, always repairing every damage they may sustain as soon as he discovers it, that when the ship shall return to Port, the workmen of the Dock Yard may have only the material defects of the Ship to repair.
VII
He is to be attentive to the conduct of the Caulker, whom he is to employ in stopping immediately any leaks which he may discover in the sides or decks, that as little as possible may be required of the Caulkers of the Dock Yard when Ships return into Port.
VIII
He is to be attentive in observing that the oakum with which he supplies the Caulker is of a good quality and that the Caulker does his duty in a workmanlike manner; and when the ship is paid off, or at any time, when the ship’s company are paid, he is to give him such a certificate of the manner in which he has discharged his duty, as he shall think he deserves; but no better.
IX
He is to keep always ready for immediate use shot-plugs, and every other article necessary for the stopping of shot-holes, and repairing other damages in battle; and during the action he is, with the part of his crew appointed to assist him, to be continually going about the wings and passages, and the hold, to discover where shot may have passed through, that he may plug up the holes and stop the leaks as expeditiously as possible.
X
If he should at any time find Stores or any other articles stowed in the wings or passages, in such a manner as might interfere with his working if required to cut out shot or to stop leaks during an action, he is to report it to the Captain that they may be removed.
XI
He is to frequently to examine the ventilators, to see that they are in good order, and if he discovers any defect he is to report it immediately that it may be repaired.
XII
When the ship is going into Port, he is to prepare as correct an account as possible of the defects of the hull, masts, and yards of the Ship, and of the repairs she may stand in need, of which he is to deliver to the Captain two copies, one of which, when signed by the Captain, he is to deliver to the Master Shipwright of the Dock Yard. In making this report he is to be very careful not to exaggerate any defect, by which there may appear to be a greater necessity for the Ship being repaired then does really exist, nor to conceal any which may really require to be repaired.
XIII
He is to be a particularly attentive in observing the exertions, and examining the works, of Artificers sent from other Ships to assist in repairing the Ship he belongs to; and is to report to the Captain when he discovers any who, by their want of skill, or want of diligence, shall appear to be undeserving of the additional wages appointed to be paid them.
XIV
Whenever the ship shall be, for any purpose, ordered to be heel'd, he is to see that all the pumps are in good order and ready to be worked; he is to station one of his mates to observe, by sounding the well, whether any material increase of water is occasioned; he is to attend to this frequently himself, and observe also whether there be any extraordinary appearance of water in the hold; and in three-deck'd Ships he is to be peculiar attentive and seeing that the lower deck ports are well secured.
Admiralty
1808 Regulations and Instructions Relating to His Majesty's Service at Sea. Winchester & Son. Strand, London.
