“I dare say there may be no more work required than could be done after my arrival in May, but it would then be too late to undo anything.
“I have, however, the greatest faith in the engineering skill and experience of Messrs. Glass, Elliott & Co., and believe I shall find myself unable to suggest much that they are not already quite familiar with, but I naturally would like to identify myself with some knowledge of the storage and plans for lifting the ship, with a view to trim for steering, pitching, or rolling as she becomes lighter.
“I would like to see how the tanks are connected with each other in their communication, and to understand the process of paying out, the possibility of ever requiring to check it, and to be generally familiar with men and material below the deck.
“You know I think prevention better than cure, and that it is the distinct duty of a ship-master to be familiar with what is to be apprehended, and, so far as he can, to have some plans in his mind to which he can resort when his foresight has proved insufficient. I do not apprehend or fear any difficulty to your great enterprise, but as little as possible should be left to chance or inspiration.
“The essentials, as far as I am concerned, would be to see for myself all the ground tackling clear and efficient;
“The steering gear and prevention ditto in good order;
“The sails necessary to steady the ship in a chance breeze;
“The compasses and their adjustment and all the means that are available for freeing the ship from water.
“I should like to get around me such a staff of men that I might hope to rely at least upon a portion of them.
“If the crew are all shipped at the last moment, you begin with a difficulty at once. I would not, of course, incur the expense of employing a large crew at present, but I would select a good nucleus, and have the ship’s work and discipline well in hand in good season.