Shipwright's Boys' Tools

Ah, Monday mornings; don'tcha just love 'em? Anyway, I hope I haven't over-sold this one...

Courtesy of the National Archives in Kew (reference ADM 106/241) via the generosity of Nicholas Blake, this is - well it's all explained in the letter really. It's the agreement on what and how many extra tools were to be issued for the benefit of the shipwrights' and caulkers' apprentices. I've done my best to transcribe it from the pics of the original accurately, but there may be a few slip-ups. First, the letter. And yes, it really does appear to say "conformably" and you thought management speak was a recent phenomenon...

Admiralty Office 1st December 1812

Gentlemen

Whereas by your letter of the 28th ultimo you have returned to us the abstract which we had transmitted to you containing our decision as to the number of tools to be allowed for the use of the additional numbers of boys prepared to be instructed on board His Majesty's Ships in the Shipwrights and Caulkers trades; and conformably to our directions you have sent us an account of the value of the said tools we do hereby desire and direct you to cause the additional tools specified in the enclosed Account to be allowed to the different Rates of His Majesty's Ships for the additional Boys proposed to be instructed in the Shipwrights and Caulkers trades. We further signify that the Carpenters of His Majesty's Ships are to be charged with the said tools, as with other stores and their expenditure is to be most carefully regulated observing that they are not to be made use of for any other purposes than those for which they are intended, we are,

Your affectionate friends

H Yorke
H Dundas
J Osborn

I do love the last bit; yes, we're letting you have these things, but we're watching you... "Affectionate friends" is a bit of a surprise though. Anyway, the enclosed account as mentioned is as follows. The numbers afterwards are the allotted quantity for certain ships based on their rates. Thus the first and second rates (the largest) are first, then third & fourth, fifth & sixth rates and finally "small vessels". So Axe 6.4.1.1 is 6 for the 1st & 2nd rates, 4 for the 3rd & 4th, and one each for the 5th, 6th and unrated vessels. "[?"] means I've made a best guess on the word based on shape and deduction but don't take it as gospel. Full descriptions are given for each tool simply because the blog can't cope with the formatting needed to present it as written.

Deptford Yard
25th Nov 1812
An account showing the usual[?] quantities of tools to be furnished for the use of the Boys who are prepared to be instructed on board H.M. Ships in the Shipwrights and Caulkers Trades.

Shipwrights Tools

Axes 6.4.1.1
Adzes, common 6.4.2.1
Adzes, compass 2.2.1.1
Saws, hand 6.4.2.1
Saws, compass 4.3.2.1
Mauls, pin [?] 4.3.2.1
Mauls, double headed 2.2.1.0
Hammers, claw 8.6.3.1
Hammers, sheathing 2.2.1.1
Hammers, clench 4.3.1.1
Chizles of 2 inches 4.3.2.1
Chizles of 1 1/2 inches 4.3.2.1
Chizles of 1 inch 4.3.2.1
Chizles of 3/4 inch 4.3.2.1
Chizles, Mortice 5/8 inch 1.1.1.1
Chizles, Mortice 1/2 inch 1.1.0.0
Chizles, Mortice 3/8 inch 1.1.1.1
Chizles, Mortice 1/4 inch 1.1.1.0
Gouges 2 1/2 inches 2.2.1.1
Gouges 2 inches 2.2.1.1
Gouges 1 1/2 inches 2.2.1.0
Gouges 1 inch 2.2.1.1
Slices 4 inches 2.2.1.1
Augers 1 1/2 inches 1.1.1.1
Augers 1 3/8 inches 1.1.1.0
Augers 1 1/4 inches 1.1.1.0
Augers 1 1/8 inches 1.1.1.1
Augers 1 inch 1.1.0.0
Augers 7/8 inch 1.1.1 .1
Augers 3/4 inch 1.1.0.0
Augers 5/8 inch 1.1.1.1
Gimblets 1/2 inch 2.2.1.1
Gimblets 3/8 inch 2.2.1.1
Gimblets small sorts 2.2.1.1
Planes, Jack 4.3.2.1
Planes, Smoothing 4.3.2.1
Drawing Knives 2.2.2.1
Rules 8.6.2.1
Squares, Iron 2.2.1.1
Lines [?] 4.3.2.1
Compasses 4.3.2.1
Stones, Turkey 2.2.1.1
Stones, Rag [?] 4.3.2.1
Spoke Shaves 2.2.1.1
Saw Set 2.2.1.1
Punches, nail 2.2.1.1
Punches, Socket for Boat [hook?] 2.2.1.1
Punches, brad 1.1.1.1
Mallets 4.4.2.1
Chest for Tools 1.1.1.1

Caulkers Tools

Mallets 4.3.2.1
Iron caulkings 4.3.2.1
Long 3.2.1.1
Spike 4.3.2.1
Meaking 4.3.2.1
Treenail 4.2.2.1
Sharp 4.3.2.1
Horsing 4.3.2.1
Reaming 4.3.2.1
Ladles 2.2.2.1
Beetles 2.2.2.1
Reaming [?] Hooks 4.3.2.1

I feel a distinct likelihood of finding myself taking Christopher Gabriel and the Tool Trade in 18th Century London off the shelf now. There's a comprehensive inventory taken in 1800 with values - reckon they wouldn't have changed that much and it might be interesting to see how much all that would have cost. But no, I won't be blogging that - this is bloomin' hard work!