Hull, Isaac:

$1,000 · Offered by William Reese Company

[MANUSCRIPT LETTER, SIGNED, FROM ISAAC HULL TO JOHN RODGERS, DESCRIBING THE COLLECTION OF TIMBER FOR SHIPBUILDING AT THE CHARLESTOWN NAVY YARD]. Manuscript letter, signed by Isaac Hull, sent to Commander John Rodgers as president of the Navy Board, discussing the process of acquiring white oak timber for shipbuilding in the Charlestown Navy Yard. While white oak is one of the more common trees in the eastern United States, it was in constant demand by the U.S. Navy for its strength and its water- and rot-resistant properties. In response to a request from Rodgers for "the whole quantity of timber plank +c that would be used in the construction of a 44 gun ship," Hull describes how the Charlestown Navy Yard sources its timber, and particularly how they rarely have an excess as "Timber is generally collected from the farmers in small quantities as they clear the land and find time to bring it in." The letter reads in full:"Sir, Your circular of the 27 ultimo has been received, and I have now the honor to forward you herewith the report called for."As I had not the means of ascertaining the whole quantity of timber plank +c that would be used in the construction of a 44 gun ship, I have only stated the quantity received + on hand, by which the Commissioners will see that all the plank, white oak timber, knees +c, will be required, as the quantity we now have on hand will be required for the ship building here except such as is charged to repairs."Should it be the intention of th

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