Oct 20, 1787 Home Banks Letters Nov 18, 1787
Revised May 17 2021
Bounty Spithead Monday 5th. 1787.
Sir.
I have been very anxious to acquaint you of my arrival here which I have now accomplished with some risk. I anchored here last night after being drove on the coast of France in a very heavy Gale, however by perservering I am now in readyness, or will be in three days, to receive my final orders. I once before made an attempt to get here, but was glad to go into the Downs again, altho of all the places it is one of the most diagreeable to be in. I think I cannot have much worse weather in going round Cape Horn, and it is with pleasure I tell you I think the ship very capable. This also is another consolation to me, for my Ideas of making a Ship fit for sea, & of those above, were very different, and my conduct in troubling the Navy board for alterations cannot be reprehensible, for had I not got ye masts, yards, & Tops all altered, I should now be getting ready to go into the Harbour. The Master is a very good Man & gives me every satisfaction, and I think between this & the latitude of 60° South I shall have them all in very good order. The conduct of Nelson & the gardener is very satisfactory & we all seem embark'd heartily in one cause which I shall cherish as much as possible. I shall take 18 Months provisions, which with other supplies will do very well, and my present intention is, that as I shall be late round Cape Horn, not to depend on touching there, but complete my water if convenient at Falklands Islands, for it I get the least storms round the Cape I must make the most of it. Lord Howe when I took leave of him behaved very flatteringly to me, but he took from me a Mr. Brown you recommended and was the best uncommission'd officer I had, he was sent to the Ariel commanded by a Lieut. Moorsom designed for some private service, who I am infomed is to be made a Master & Commander. My Surgeon I beleive may be a very capable man, but his indolence & corpulency render him rather unfit for the Voyage. I wish I may get him to change. The wind and weather is now very bad & I fear will continue so for some days but I assure you Sir I will loose no time in proceeding on my Voyage. As we have effectually got rid of that troublesome application about Mr. Lockhead, and if I find no possibility of getting rid of my Surgeon I think it would be very proper for me to endeavor to get some young man as Surgeons Mate & enter him as ab for I am aware how improper any application for one publickly, would be at this crisis. Oct 25, 1787 I have just now waited on Lord Hood who has not yet received any orders concerning me. The Commissioner promises me every assistance & I have no doubt but the trifles I have to do here will soon accomplished. I shall take a pleasure of informing you of my progress as I go on and I hope by the time my busyness is over here the Wind will turn favorable, at present I could not move with it. I am particularly happy at receiving your Letter of the 25th. and I trust nothing can prevent me from completing my Voyage much to your satisfaction. Difficulties I laugh at while I have your countenance and shall be always sufficiently repaid whilst I am admitted to subscribe myself your affectionate Hmble Servant
I offered my Interest to any surgeons mate who would go out as Wm Bligh able with C. Bligh [Note by Sir Joseph Banks]
Oct 20, 1787 Home Banks Letters Nov 18, 1787