APPENDIX. 449 



XXI. 



U. S. Ship Peacock, 



Sydney Cove, New South Wales, 

 December 21st, 1839. 

 Sir, — 



Having thoroughly examined this ship at different times, and par- 

 ticularly at this place, I would respectfully submit the following report 

 of her condition. First, that the sheer-streak is quite rotten in many 

 places, as well as the gun and berth-deck water-ways ; and from the 

 frequent calking the gun and spar-decks have undergone, they have 

 become much worn, and quite leaky, particularly the spar-deck ; also, 

 the stanchions supporting the bulwark on the spar-deck are very much 

 decayed, and with the exception of three or four of them, are unsafe, 

 and not able to support the rail and boats attached to it, under any 

 thing more than ordinary circumstances. 



I am, sir, yours respectfully, 



(Signed) Jonas Dibble, 

 William L. Hudson, Esq., Carpenter. 



Commanding U. S. Ship Peacock. 



U. S. Ship Peacock, 



Sydney, New South Wales, 

 December 22d, 1839. 

 Sir, — 



I have delayed reporting in writing the defective state of the Pea- 

 cock until the present time, with a full knowledge it would have been 

 utterly impossible to have completed the necessary repairs at this port 

 in sufficient time for our Antarctic cruise. I feel, too, that the govern- 

 ment and the whole country are anticipating results from that quarter, 

 and are under the full belief that all the ships composing this squadron 

 were thoroughly overhauled, and amply prepared to encounter every 

 kind of weather. I have no wish at present to undeceive them, but 

 feel it my duty to state to you on the present occasion, that the Pea- 

 cock's sheer-streak, to which the channels are bolted and ports hung, 

 is perfectly decayed, fore and aft, and that all the stanchions of the 

 upper-deck bulwarks, are either rotten, or in an advanced state of 

 decay. Against these defects, however, I feel it my duty to contend, 

 without anticipating any thing but favourable results, but at the same 

 time prepared for the worst that may occur. 



Yours, respectfully, 



(Signed) Wm. L. Hudson. 

 Captain Charles Wilkes, 



Commanding Exploring Expedition. 

 2N 



