State Navy Board
[Philadelphia] Apl 16th 1777
Captain Henderson, of the Gondolo Dickinson having recommended John M'Clain as a proper person for a second Lieutenant, the Board represented him as a fit person and he was appointed accordingly.
Repeated Orders having been issued from this board, for the Commanders of the Armed Vessels Batteries and Boats belonging to this State, to furnish them with lists of such necessaries as were wanting to compleat their equipments and to apply for orders to the Commissaries and Store Keepers to supply them with all such necessaries.
The board cannot but be surprised to find that notwithstanding such orders, daily applications are making to them for Articles which shou'd have been procured in consequence of these orders and it being represented to us, that some of the Capts of the Gondolas, did lately go on board the Ammunition Vessell belonging to this State and take from thence a quantity of powder and shot, which imply'd either a want of those necessary articles, or a very great abuse in the Captains who took them, to prevent all such abuses or wants in future, the Board Orders. That Commodore Hazelwood do direct every Officer Commanding any Vessel, Battery or Boat in the service of this State, immediately to furnish him with a list of such Articles as he or they may want to compleat their respective Equipments, agreeable to the establishment made by this Board.
After such requisition if any Vessel, Battery or Boat shall be found deficient in any such articles, the board will consider the Commander of such Vessell, Battery or Boat, as answerable for the consequence, except it can be made appear that such articles have been applyed for and could not be procured.
