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Halifax January 24th 1856

to the
Honble Hugh Bell
Chairman Board Works

Sir

I beg leave now respectfully to submit for your information the following statements of the cost of several vessel lately built in this Province and I think by comparing the cost of new Gov.t Schooner the result will be most favourable.

The Brig Eclipse belonging to Creighton & Grassie of this city and built by Mr Morely at Lahave the same dementions [sic: dimensions] as Schooner with 12 iron knees 500 sheets of Muntz metal on bottom and 1641 yards of canvass in sails cost over £3100.

The Schooner has 14 iron knees 580 sheets Muntz metal on bottom and 1590 yards of heavy extra Gourock canvass and cost £2950 at most.

The Brig.tn [Recluse?] built and owned by Mr Zwicker of Mahone Bay only copper fastened to light water line cost over £2500.

The Brig.tn Queen of the West built and owned by Mr Keddy of Mahone Bay only copper fastened to light water line and having about 1700 yards canvass cost over £2400.

The Brig [Zubeka?] built at Shelburne for Salter & Twining of this city
copper