Continental Navy Board Borden Town 13th Novr 1777
Sir.
As the Weather is growing cold very fast we are uneasy on Account of the uncomfortable Situation of our Officers on Board the Fleet for want of Fire Places. We have endeavoured, but find we cannot procure the suitable Cannon Stoves. we are told however that some of the small open Stoves are so cast that they may have Pipes fitted to them & therefore may serve the present Occasion. We have, sent a Gentleman down to Mount Holley & we expect he will be able to get 5 such stoves for you & forward them immediately. We have also wrote to the Works at Holly ordering a Quantity of Sheet Iron to be rolled out as soon as possible & sent down. Your Smiths must contrive to make them into Pipes & fit them for; & we hope this may be done without much Difficulty. This is the most speedy Method we could think of for supplying you with these necessary Accomodations. We are [&c.]
Fras. Hopkinson John Wharton
L, NHpR, Naval Matters. Addressed: "On public Service/To/Isaiah Robinson Esqr/Commander on Board/the Andrew Doria/at/Red Bank/ContinentalNavy Board." Docketed: "November 13th/1777."
