Hampshire Damage Report - 5 December 1696
Right Honourable 348
This humbly comes to Informe your [honours]
That on Tuesday last I left [Plymouth] and arrived
here yesterday, and in my passage home
I mett with very bad weather which much
Impaired ye ship in every part of her thatt
I had hardly one place that was Lite or dry
on board of her not somuch as to putt a
Suite of Sailes In. I like wise washed away
All ye sailes of my head that it is now fastened
With ropes. Ye Pintells of my ruther (rudder) is somuch
worne, that they fetch great way in ye
Gudgeons when att sea and have Losend
Ye sterin poste - a small matter alofte,
If ye Right Honourable ye Lords of ye Admiralty
Shall bee pleased to order me up ye river I
Desire your honers order to ye Store Keeper here
To supply me with a small anchor and a
Long boate or a small Hooker to ye which I
Humbly referr my Selfe and Take leave to
Remaine
Your Honourable: humb. Servt:
Jn. Fletcher
[Decem] ber ye 5th : 96: from on board his
Majestyies Ship Hampshire in ye Downs.
source: National Archives of England ADM 106/485