ROYAL NAVY; VICTUALLING.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Duplicate certificate attesting to the mismeasurement of stores aboard HMS Niger. A manuscript copy, written at sea, recording how the ship was supplied with 24 fewer yards of "duck" (cotton fabric) by the storekeeper in Portsmouth than was promised. It is signed by her captain, Samuel Jackson, as well as the ship's first lieutenant, master, and purser. Samuel Jackson (1775-1845) joined the Royal Navy in 1790 and served throughout the Mediterranean, including at the Battle of Cape St Vincent and in Nelson's fleet at the Assault on Cádiz. In 1813 he was given command of HMS Lacedaemonian to join the North America Station. On 29 August 1815 he was appointed captain of HMS Niger, a fifth-rate frigate. On 28 January 1816 they sailed to America from Portsmouth, conveying the ambassador to the United States, Charles Bagot. By the end of the year, it was clear that HMS Niger was in unserviceable condition, so remained in port and was broken up in 1820. Jackson retired with the rank of rear-admiral after a long and distinguished career. 0Cotton "duck", derived from the Dutch word for cloth (doek), was a canvas used throughout the 19th century and before for warm-weather clothing and sails. A full transcription is available upon request.

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.