note: transcription publicly contributed - please contact us with comments, errors or omisions

[note from transcriber to NS Archives: this letter is from Captain James Daly, not Captain Joesph Darby as the title says]

Halifax January 9th 1854

Sir

I beg leave most respectfully to acquaint you that the Provincial Schooner Daring now under my command is and has been for some time in a very bad state of repair

The Vessel is ten years old and has never had any repairs done her. The copper is on nine years has been several times mended is now bad and wants renewing. The fore Mast, Bowsprit, and Standing Rigging, also wants renewing. These and other expences always attending a general repair, will cost a very large Sum at least One thousand pounds and as the Daring is a vessel very unfit for the Present Work of the Province I could not recommend such a large outlay on her. but would most respectfully recommend that a more suitable vessel be built keeping the Daring as she now is untill the other would be ready and then selling her and I think the Sum

[address at lower left]
[to?] the
Honbl.e Hugh Bell
Chairman Board Works