Further means were also taken in the early nineteenth century to increase the efficiency of the cruisers.  In 1811, in order that they should be kept as constantly as possible on their stations, and that no excuses might be made for delays, it was decided that in future the Inspecting Commanders of Districts be empowered to incur expenses up to L35 for the repairs which a cutter might need, and L5 for similar repairs to her boats.  The commanders of the cruisers were also permitted to incur any expenses up to L20 for the cutter and boats under their command.  Such expenses were to be reported to the Board, with information as to why this necessity had arisen, where and by what tradesmen the work had been done, and whether it had been accomplished in the most reasonable manner.  At the end of the following year, in order still further to prevent cruisers being absent from their stations “at the season of the year most favourable for smuggling practices, and when illegal proceedings are generally attempted,” i.e. in the dark days of autumn and winter and spring, and in order, also, to prevent several cutters being in the Port of London at the same time, “whereby the part of the coast within their respective districts would be left altogether without guard,” the commanders of these cruisers were to give warning when it was apparent that extensive repairs were needed, or a general refit, or any other cause which compelled the craft to come up to London.  Timely notice was to be given to the Board so that the necessity and propriety thereof should be inquired into.  It was done also with a view to bringing in the cruisers from their respective stations only as best they might be spared consistent with the good of the service.  But they were to come to London for such purposes only between April 5 and September 5 of each year.  By this means there would always be a good service of cruisers at sea during the bad weather period, when the smugglers were especially active.

In our quotation from The Three Cutters in another chapter we gave the colours of the paint used on these vessels.  I find an interesting record in the Custom House dated November 13, 1812, giving an order that, to avoid the injury which cruisers sustain from the use of iron bolts, the decks in future were to be fastened with composition bolts, “which would eventually prove a saving to the Revenue.”  After ordering the commanders to cause their vessels to be payed twice every year either with paint or bright varnish, and not to use scrapers on their decks except after caulking, and then only to remove the unnecessary pitch, the instruction goes on to stipulate the only paint colours which are to be employed for cruisers.  These are such as were then allowed in the Navy, viz. black, red, white, or yellow.