DRY ROT IN SHIPS. 251
deck in order to dissipate the moisture quickly. The hatches
were covered over, and the heat raised to about 120 degrees.
After launching she was eventually navigated to Plymouth,
where the officers discovered when the artificers were caulking
the top-sides that the plank was in a state of rapid decay. "Thus
"in the short space of fourteen months from her having been
"launched, a first-rate ship of war, without having been in
"commission, was so defective as to require all the planking both
"within and without board, together with many of the timbers
"and beams, to be removed and shifted, from the top-side to the
"gun-deck clamps." Many ascribed the defects to the great
quantities of Canadian oak and American pitch-pine that had
been worked in the ship. Repairs up to 1816 cost £94,499 in
addition to the original £88,534 before she could be used. The
total cost of repairs had mounted to £287,837 by 1859 when her
name was changed to the Excellent—a whimsical choice. She is
still remembered by many naval officers as she served as the
gunnery school at Portsmouth till she was broken up in 1892.
It was at the suggestion of John Knowles, Secretary to the
Committee of Surveyors of His Majesty's Navy and author of
the important "An Inquiry into the means which have been
"taken to preserve the British Navy" (1821), that James
Sowerby was asked to inspect and report on the Queen Charlotte
in 1812; also that his "report on this subject may be extended
"to the measures necessary to prevent this evil in any of His
"Majesty's ships." Although Sowerby's report is referred to by
Knowles, J. E. Smith, Berkeley and others, Mr. D. B. Smith
informs me that it does not appear to have been published.
"To the Honourable Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy.
"Honourable Gentlemen,
"Shocked at the report of the rotting state of many of our National
"Bulwarks I felt ready to make enquiry as to the probability of curing
"or preventing the evil, when, in consequence of my known experience
"among subjects which thrive under the same circumstances as
"those which produce and develope the decay of Timber, viz. Fungi, I
"happened to be called upon for that purpose; and I therefore felt it
"an imperative duty, notwithstanding my other necessary occupations
"to attend immediately to the subject, and not less so when I per-
"ceived the penetration and anxiety of your Honourable Board by
"the questions you asked me; my answers to which, when in any
"degree to the purpose were treasured up in a manner that convinced
"me how very desirous you were to execute with fidelity your most
"arduous trust.