maintaining such a ship for one year, stating the strength of the crew at three hundred and fifty men of all descriptions. I do not submit to the Committee the cost of the frigates built during the late war in the United States, as the circumstances then and now are so widely different as to preclude any accurate estimate of the present expence of building from the charges during the war. I conceived it would be much more authentic in order to ascertain the present prices, to have the principal workmen in this city consulted on the occasion under the idea of a commission from abroad. The estimate therefore although not so minute as might be desired, may be in general considered as tolerably accurate, and fully adequate to the object. Nothing has been suggested as to any particular mode of construction, excepting that the ship will have two decks for batteries, the lowest of which is stated as consisting of twenty four pounders, although eighteen pounders may be deemed sufficiently large; four eight-inch howitzers are suggested with diffidence, although with an entire conviction of their powerful effect with due management. The estimate for the brigantine is preparing, and will be submitted to morrow. [rece (Butler)] War Department Nov. 17. 1791 Sir I have the honor to submit to you and the committee, the estimate for the brigantine. I regret the workmen did not enable me to do it yesterday — Estimate of the cost of a brigantine of 14 guns computed at [undecipherable] keel, and [undecipherable] beam, equal to two hundred tons — | | Per ton | Total | | | Doll^s cts | Doll^s cts | | Shipwright's bill for the hull of fast white oak and of live oak and red cedar where necessary, and with locust trunnels finished to a cleat | 23 33 | | | Smith's bill for Iron work including anchors estimated at [undecipherable] | 11 33 | | | Ship Joyner's bill including materials | 2 33 | | | Boatbuilder's bill | - 46 | | | Painter's & Plumber's bill | - 93 | | | Carver's bill | - 60 | | | Cooper's bill | 1 66 | | | Blockmaker's bill | 1 - | | | e Mastmaker's bill | 2 66 | | | Rigging including cables and spare Cordage computed at [undecipherable] C^wt and Rigger's bill | 6 66 | | | Skeels, including spare skeils, spare canvas & Sadelmaker's bill | 3 18 | | | Chandler's bill for small stores | 2 66 | | | Suppose a brigantine 200 tons at | 56 80 | 11,360 | Ordnance stores | | | | |---|---|---| | 14 cannon light 9 pounders, to weigh about 16 C^wt at £20^p ton, carriages &c | | 917 33½ | | 28 muskets | 10 D | 280 - | | 10 pistols | 8. | 80 - | | 40 Cutlasses | 1 | 40 - | | 200 rounds Powder 2 8875^wt 45 cts | | 1321 35 | | 150 rounds round shot 20 C^wt 2.66 | | 53 66 | | 50 D^o grape & double headed 12 C^wt 4 - | | 48) - | | 200 musket & pistol ball 6 C^ds 7¾ | | 45 50 | | 50 hand grenades | | 15 - | | | | 2800 84½ | | Provisions 6 months on the rate or proportion | | 2569 30 | | | Doll^rs | 16,730 14½ | Pay or Wages of Officers and Crew of a brigantine of 14 guns — | | N^o | Rate of pay p^r mon^th | Total | |---|---|---|---| | Captain | 1 | 45 - | 45 - | | Lieutenant | 1 | 30 - | 30 - | | e Master's mate | 1 | 11 | 11 - | | e Midshipman | 2 | 7 50 | 15 - | | Captain's Clerk | 1 | 7 50 | 7 50 | | Quartermaster | 2 | 6 45 | 12 90 | | Quartermaster's Mate | 1 | 6 - | 6 - | | Boatswain | 1 | 10 - | 10 - | | Boatswain's mate | 1 | 6 50 | 6 50 | | Coxswain | 1 | 6 50 | 6 50 | | Master Sailmaker | 1 | 8 - | 8 - | | Sailmaker's Crew | 1 | 5 66 | 5 66 | | Gunner | 1 | 10 - | 10 - | | Gunner's Mate | 1 | 6 - | 6 - | | Yeoman of the Powder Room | 1 | 6 - | 6 - | | Quarter Gunner | 4 | 5 66 | 22 66 | | Armourer | 1 | 7 - | 7 - | | Carpenter | 1 | 10 - | 10 - | | Carpenter's Mate | 1 | 8 - | 8 - | | Carpenter's Crew | 2 | 5 66 | 11 33 | | Cook | 1 | 5 66 | 5 66 | | Surgeon | 1 | 25 - | 25 - | | Surgeon's Mate | 1 | 12 50 | 12 50 | | Corporal | 1 | 1 66 | 1 66 | | Able Seamen | 40 | 5 - | 200 - | | Ordinary Seamen | 40 | 4 - | 160 - | | Serjeant Marines | 1 | 5 - | 5 - | | Corporal | 1 | 4 - | 4 - | | Privates | 8 | 3 - | 24 - | | | 120 | | 682 8[undecipherable] | Estimate of the annual expence of one brigantine of 14 guns 200 tons. Wages or pay of Officers and Crew for 12 months .... 682. Provisions for 12 months p^r account . 5138. Ordinaries for renewals of Sails Rigging, Repairs, Heaving, Small stores, Ordinaries, Stores, Belays &c .... 1200. D^rs 7021.