contentwithoutcommand | Second Tackle : written

[There is no one to read an official dispatch. He's gathered that much. However, this is quite a different communication.]

May the nineteenth,

I have recently come into command of the sloop-of-war Britannia. She has been well cared for, and I am grateful to the members of the Blue Rogues for that.

However, she is in need of some detailed care to bring her back to her proper state. I have found scrub brushes, paintbrushes, and buckets, but it seems she lacks any holystones. I am in need of those and paint. I am not particularly concerned as to the colour of the paint, so long as there are large quantities and it is a consistent colour. Black for the trim (that, there is plenty of below decks) and yellow (as she is presently) or white or blue for the bulk would be preferable.

Once I have these supplies, I will be in need of volunteers to assist in the work. There will be painting, rowing of rigging, stitching of sail, swabbing, holystoning, and polishing to be done. I have no wages I can offer for these tasks, but I will require those who want to help to be able to follow direction. Maintenance must be done in certain ways to avoid unnecessary work and possible damage to the ship, so I will be very specific in how each task should be accomplished.

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated, and I shall be most grateful for any information on where and how I might obtain the supplies I need. I do not have much, but I may be able to find something in the ship's scarce stores to trade, as I am not looking for charity to bring Britannia to her best.

D Long, commander, R.N.