the commodore had to continue the other,
the Ann pink, in the service of attending the squadron. Accordingly, a
signal was made next day for the ships to bring to, and the long-boats
were employed that and the three following days, till the 19th in the
evening, to take their proportions of the brandy in the Industry to
the several ships of the squadron. Being then unloaded, she parted
company, intending for Barbadoes; and there to take in a freight for
England. Most of the officers in the squadron took the opportunity of
this ship, to write to their friends at home; but I have been informed
she was taken by the Spaniards.

On the 20th November, the captains of the squadron represented to the
commodore, that their ships companies were very sickly; and that,
both in their own opinions and of their surgeons, it would tend to the
health of the men to let in more air between decks; but that the
ships were so deep in the water, that the lower-deck ports could not
possibly be opened. On this representation, the commodore ordered
six air-scuttles to be cut in each ship, in such places as had least
tendency to weaken them. On this occasion, I cannot but observe how
much it is the duty of all who have any influence in the direction
of our naval affairs, to attend to the preservation of the lives and
health of our seamen. If it could be supposed that motives of humanity
were insufficient for this purpose, yet policy, a regard to the
success of our arms, and the honour and interest of each individual
commander, all should lead to a careful and impartial examination of
every probable method proposed for preserving the health and vigour of
seamen. But hath this been always done? Have the late invented,
plain, and obvious methods for keeping our ships sweet and clean, by
a constant supply of fresh air, been considered with that candour
and temper which the great benefits they promise to produce ought
naturally to have inspired? On the contrary, have not these salutary
schemes been often treated with neglect and contempt? And have not
some, who have been entrusted with experimenting their effects, been
guilty of the most indefensible partiality in the accounts they have
given of these trials? It must, however, be confessed, that many
distinguished persons, both in the direction and command of our
fleets, have exerted themselves on these occasions with a judicious
and dispassionate examination, becoming the interesting nature of the
en