them after the many hard gales they have stood, and I find them much less chafed, &c. in proportion, than any sails in her on the old plan.
“So perfectly convinced am I of the superior saving and safety of your mode of reefing, and making with horizontal cloths, that I have had a fore-ssil on that plan made here, and I shall; in every ship that I am concerned in, not fail having my sails made on your plan.
“I suspect few men who have experienced a severe gale of wind on a lee-shore, will for a moment hesitate in believing your mode of reefing, without starting tack or sheet, and strengthening sails by making them with horizontal cloths, will be the means of saving lives and property.
(Signed)“Edward Harper.”
“Sunderland, January 30th, 1808.
“Mr. Stafford has had some more sails (with horizontal cloths) made for the Hero, and a main-sail, top-sail, and fore-top-mast stay-sail, made for the John; the main-sail and top-sail were made by Mr. Randolph, who objected very much at first to make them after the patent mode; but Mr. Stafford insisted on having them made with horizontal cloths. The sails gave great satisfaction, and Mr. Randolph now speaks of them in the highest terms of approbation.
“Mr. Todd (sail-maker) is now convinced that any sail may be made with horizontal cloths, and he has made a fore-sail, top-sail, and top-gallant-sail for the ship Barbara and Ann, Captain Bowness, who is in the transport service, and wrote for them from Deptford, particularly requesting that they might be made with horizontal cloths, and the fore-sail with the patent reef,
“Captain Ditchbourn, of the Durham, says he has made use of the reef in his fore sail several times lately, in very heavy gales of wind, and it stands exceedingly well.
“Mr. Gregson, of the Speedwell, told me that he has found the reef in his top-sail very useful, and he is going to have a reef in his fore-sail, and intends to have all the new sails patent made.
“Captain Bowser desires me to inform you, that he intends to have all his new sails made the patent way.
“I have had a top-sail and jib made for the Good Intent, and I send you a certificate from the master.
“I find from the different captains belonging to the Port of Lynn, that the horizontal cloths are very well liked there.
(Signed)“D. Trotter.”
“To Captain Cowan.”
“Sunderland, December 6th, 1807.
“I have had a patent top-sail and jib made with horizontal cloths, and, . After trying, like them very well, for I find they stand nearer the wind than the other sails, and I think them much stronger.
(Signed)“James Lamb, Master of the Good Intent.”
