“18. Colofan, stated to grow to the height of forty to fifty feet before branching, and from two to three feet in diameter, at the Seychelles.
“No. 19, Bois puant, stated to grow to a very large size at the Mauritius, and to be durable. The specimens of both 18 and 19 were very small, and it would be unsafe to give an opinion based on this inspection, as to the value of these woods for ship-building purposes; it may, however, be mentioned, that Mr. M’Leod informed me that nearly all the woods found at the Seychelles are used in building such vessels as are required at that place.
(Signed) Thos. Laslett,
“Timber-Inspector.
“To the Hon. R. Dundas,
Storekeeper-General of the Navy.”
“15, Whitehall-place, May 3, 1859.
Sir,—With reference to your letter of the 19th February last, politely inquiring what steps should be taken for obtaining a supply of the descriptions of woods approved of from the Seychelles and the river Zambesi, I have the honour to state that the ‘Thomas Blyth,’ a vessel of 500 tons, built at the Seychelles in 1837, of timber grown on those islands, is now lying in the West India Dock. Her owners, Messrs. Blyth, Brothers and Co., Philpot-lane, City, have kindly consented to allow her to be submitted to any inspection that you may deem necessary for the purpose of satisfying the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty as to the fitness of the timber from the Seychelles for ship-building.
“Hoping to be favoured with a copy of the report of survey on the ‘Thomas Blyth,’—I have, &c.
“J. Lyons M’Leod.”
“To the Hon. R. Dundas,
Storekeeper-General of the Navy.”
“11th June, 1859.