Brought forward      18
Captain                       1   Schoolmaster             1
Lieutenants                   3   Master at Arms           1
Master                        1   Caulker                  1
Second Master                 1   Armourer                 1
Purser                        1   Sailmaker                1
Surgeon                       1   Carpenter’s Mate         1
Boatswain                     1   Gunner’s Mate            1
Gunner                        1   Boatswain’s Mates        2
Carpenter                     1   Quarter-masters          3
Master’s Mate                 1   Captain’s Coxswain       1
Midshipmen                    4   Capts. of the Forecastle 2
Assistant Surgeon             1   Cooper                   1
Clerk                         1   Capts. of the Foretop    2
—–­                          —–­
Carry forward 18           Carry forward   36

Brought forward  36          Brought forward  58
Capts. of the Maintop         2   Barber                   1
------------- Afterguard      1   Purser’s Steward         1
------------- Mast            1   Captain’s Steward        1
Ship’s Cook                   1   Captain’s Cook           1
Volunteers, First Class       3   Gun-room Steward         1
Gunner’s Crew                 5   Gun-room Cook            1
Carpenter’s Crew              4   Steward’s Mate           1
Sailmaker’s crew              1   Able Seamen     }
Gunner’s Yeoman               1   Ordinary Seamen }       29
Boatswain’s ditto             1   Landmen         }
Carpenter’s ditto             1   Boys, Second Class       5
Cook’s mate                   1   ----- Third Class        5
—–­   Widows’ Men              3
Carry forward  58                          —–­
107
Marines:—­ 1 Lieutenant; 1 Serjeant; 1 Corporal;
1 Drummer; 14 Privates.                       18
—–­
Total  125

The last odd entry of three widows’ men was an official fiction (now abolished) by which the pay of so many imaginary persons was transferred to a fund for the relief of the widows of commissioned and warrant officers.  Real men are now allowed in their places.

If any other ship be paying off at the same time, it is well worth trying to get some of her best men to enter for the ship fitting out.  People who have been for several years together in a comfortable ship feel unwilling to part, and the prospect of continuing still companions, often influences them to volunteer in considerable numbers, if other circumstances appear suitable.  When this takes place, the men generally transfer their whole kit at once, see their names placed on the new ship’s books, and obtain what is called “long-leave” of absence to visit their friends, after depositing a portion of their ready money in the hands of the commanding-officer until their return.  These men almost always form a valuable part of a ship’s crew, and, I am convinced, the practice will become more general of removing direct from one man-of-war to another, whenever the system of frequent payments shall be established in the Navy.  The sailors will then learn the proper use of money, and will acquire, in consequence, more orderly, decent, and rational habits.