A general Press without delay.
The Guardships to be manned to their War Establishment.
The Guardships at Chatham & Plymouth to proceed immediately to Spithead.
The 12 Ships of the Line that are ready to recieve men to be put into Commission.
More Ships to be got in readiness to recieve men.
Shipwrights to work extra.
To encrease the number of Shipwrights and Ropemakers
Navy Board to com pleat all stores if any are deficient
Notice to be sent to Minorca & Gibraltar to be on their guard
All the Frigates building in the Merchants Yards to be hastened, without waiting for seasoning. To compleat the stores & provisions of all the Guardships for their full complement of men.
To advise Ld Howe of the equipment in France & Spain, and to direct him by the first conveyance to send home all the Petty Officers that have been sent out in Transports & Storeships
To apprize the Treasury & Ordnance that no more Petty Officers can be spared.
State of Ships that may be ready in the course of
twelve months if the above mentioned measures are
immediately carried into execution
| Guardships in Commission |
23 |
| Ships of the Line in America |
2 |
| in the Mediterranean |
1 |
| in the East Indies |
1 |
| ready to recieve men |
12 |
| on the serviceable list |
27 |
| more that will be ready within the year |
12 |
| may on an emergency do for foreign service |
5 |
| |
—— |
| |
83. |
