that at Portsmouth, that a person coming once in eight or fourteen months cannot know how to proceed.
“The following occurrence was related to me by the boatswain of the Scipion 74:–
“The Scipion, being complete for Channel service, sailed from Portsmouth to Plymouth in the early part of July, 1812, where she was ordered to fit foreign; the seamen having been paid, the commander-in-chief requested the commissioner would send the stores off without any other men than the warrant officers attending from the Scipion; the warrants being ready, the warrant officers landed at the dock-yard at half-past one o’clock, and by six their stores were all shipped (filling three lighters) by yard labourers, and sent off to the ship; the next day several lighters and launches full of stores for foreign yards were sent off in the same manner; the warrant officers attending and indenting for the whole.”
The manner in which this plan was received at headquarters will be seen by the following letter:
“Sir,– Having laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your letter of the 8th instant, enclosing one from Lieutenant J. Barrell, containing suggestions on an improved mode of supplying and receiving stores, I have their Lordships’ commands to signify their direction to you to express to Lieutenant Barrell their Lordships’ thanks for his communication. I am, &c.
“To Rear-Admiral Foote.”
In a private letter to the same officer from Sir George Hope, then a Lord of the Admiralty, there is the following passage:
“Although there can be no occasion to adopt, during peace, the plan suggested by your flag-lieutenant, it is certainly a subject well worthy consideration for a future war.”
Lieutenant Barrell was promoted to the rank of commander on the eleventh day after the date of Mr. Barrow’s letter. We should here observe, that he became flag-lieutenant to Rear-Admiral Foote with the clear understanding that he was not to expect promotion would be the result of his holding that appointment; the rear-admiral having then a nephew and other young friends depending upon the exertion of his influence in their behalf.
This officer married, in 1811, Miss Townley.
