Thomas had been very ill yesterday; and having taken medicine, had
not then risen. It appeared that the admiralty letter, inclosing a copy
of my letter, and of one from captain Hurd (to whom my letter had been
referred) were not received at Sheerness before yesterday; so that
no preparation had been made; and the master attendant of the
Dock Yard, who is directed to be present at the experiments was
gone afloat for the whole day.
      I sauntered about the dockyard from ten till near
noon, and then returned to the admiral's. Sir Thomas was risen
and perfectly recovered; and I had the pleasure to find, that he
took an interest in what I had come about; and tomorrow
morning at nine o'clock, he is to give me a boat to go out
with the master attendant, and a captain of whose intelligence
in these matters he has a good opinion, to the Helder frigate
lying at the Nore; where the experiments are first to be made,
if the weather will permit. If possible, we shall also make the
same on board a gun brig or other small vessel, and perhaps be
able to complete the whole; and in that case, I shall certainly
be aback on Thursday. If not, we may still get done in sufficient
time on Wednesday, for me to get to Chatham the same day, and I
shall then, still be back on Thursday; but thou seest that it
may very well be Friday, or even later, if the wind should prevent
the