Note to Abstract No. 12.

[Although the use of colour obviously doesn't occur in the original I've used it for ease of checking and for ease of reference in view of the size of the tables PB]

a It was remarked in note � to No. 2 Abstract, that " captured vessels are also purchased from the captors before they can enter service." The union of these two columns under the head of " Purchased," subject to the distinction pointed out, claims a preference therefore, over the plan adopted in the preceding Abstracts. The names of the ships in the second column will, without the exception formerly requisite, be found in the proper list in the work ; and where, among the vessels in the first column, a purchased British merchantman rates above a gun-brig, the circumstance will be adverted to in a note.

b Late the Brave, French privateer ; presented by the merchants of Barbadoes to the British government, and on that account named Barbadoes.

c These had been British merchant vessels.

d Also these.

e The Scorpion ; built from the draught of the Cruiser. See vol. ii., p. 396, note Y*. The four British-built vessels, exclusive of these, in the " Sea service " total, are the remnant of eight, built of fir in 1795, measuring about 369 tons each, and now nearly worn out. Considering the fine qualities of the Cruiser, it is rather surprising that, during six years, three vessels only should have been built from her draught. These were launched in 1798, and were not brig, but ship rigged : consequently, they belong to class S. The Osprey, Snake, and Victor, were, however, found fault with as ships ; and all others from the same draught were thenceforward constructed as brigs. As a man of war, a ship has a decided advantage, in action, over a brig. A ship will lie to more closely, and, if she loses her mizenmast or spanker, has still a trysail on the mainmast ; whereas, the moment a brig has her gaff or main boom shot away, she loses the use of her boom mainsail, and is no longer manageable. It may, however, be said on the behalf of brig-rigged vessels that many of their apparent faults arise from an improper mode of handling them.

f These, also, had been British merchant vessels.

g The hired vessels numbered about 34.

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