Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Storks, Major General Henry Knight to Merivale, Herman 10 September 1858, CO 60:2, no. 9363, 365.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1).
Storks explains why the “Thames City” was not able to contain “the whole of the Stores which it has been found necessary
to provide” for the Royal Engineers sent to British Columbia. He assures that there will be no further delays.
The minutes express dissatisfaction with the arrangements but agree to them “if [they]
wish to see the detachment ever leave this Country for B. Columbia.”
Enclosed is Moody to Godley recommending that as many stores as possible be taken on the “Thames City,” and the remainder, not less than 400 tons, on a second vessel to sail as soon after
the first as possible.
Storks to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
War Office,
10 September 1858
Sir,
I have laid before the Secretary of State for War your
letter of the 8th
instant,
1
together with its enclosures from Colonel Moody, pointing out the
difficulties which have arisen in consequence of the Vessel which has
been engaged to convey the Detachment of Royal Engineers to British
Columbia, being incapable of containing the whole of the Stores which it
has been found necessary to provide.
Major General Peel desires me to request that you will
observe to
Sir E.B. Lytton, that at the time when the "Thames City" was taken
up,
2
it was not possible for this Department to furnish the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty with any accurate estimate of the total
amount of Stores for which tonnage would be required, and indeed large
additions to the original Requisition, have been made within the last few
days. In consequence however of a representation which has been received
from Colonel Moody, and which a copy is enclosed, the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty were requested on the 8th
instant
3
to cause conveyance to be provided
for not less than 400 Tons of Stores,
in addition to those which the Detachment will take with Them in the
"Thames City." Major General Peel believes that no inconvenience will
result from this arrangement, and he trusts that nothing will occur to
prevent the speedy departure of the Party.
observe to
Sir E.B. Lytton, that at the time when the "Thames City" was taken
up,
2
it was not possible for this Department to furnish the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty with any accurate estimate of the total
amount of Stores for which tonnage would be required, and indeed large
additions to the original Requisition, have been made within the last few
days. In consequence however of a representation which has been received
from Colonel Moody, and which a copy is enclosed, the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty were requested on the 8th
instant
3
to cause conveyance to be provided
for not less than 400 Tons of Stores,
in addition to those which the Detachment will take with Them in the
"Thames City." Major General Peel believes that no inconvenience will
result from this arrangement, and he trusts that nothing will occur to
prevent the speedy departure of the Party.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
I am informed—unofficially, & therefore perhaps the inforn may not be to be depended upon—that both vessels will probably leave about the 20th of this month. Inform Colonel Moody of the arrangement.
I am informed—unofficially, & therefore perhaps the inforn may not be to be depended upon—that both vessels will probably leave about the 20th of this month. Inform Colonel Moody of the arrangement.
ABd
11 Sepr
I suppose that this arrangement must be agreed to if we wish to see
the detachment ever leave this Country for B. Columbia. But I cannot say
that this division of men & stores is satisfactory. Granted even that
the ships leave England about the same time a week's difference in the
time when they reach the Horn may on so uncertain & stormy a
passage create an ultimate difference in their arrival at V. Couvers I.
of more than two months. Ships are often I believe delayed for two
months in rounding the Horn.
Col. Moody sd I think be cautioned to pay particular attention
to the division of the stores. The principle of the division sd be I
think to leave each detachment on the two ships complete in
itself & independant of the other.
C
Sep 11
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Moody to J.R. Godley, Assistant Under-Secretary of
State for War, 3 September 1858, recommending that as many stores as
possible be taken on the Thames City, and the remainder, not less
than 400 tons, on a second vessel to sail as soon after the first as
possible.
Footnotes
- CO-WO, 8 Sep 58, Thames City stores. A draft of this letter appears in 9097, Moody to Carnarvon, CO 6/28, p. 372.
- FIND?? when Thames City taken up?? CO 6/28??
- = WO-AD, 8 Sep 58, conveyance of stores FIND WO-AD, 8 Sep 58 re Moody's request for space for 400 tons of stores.