Multi-Document Summary Viewer

The multi-document summary # TIME CHUNK: 1660 - Early morning activities focused on establishing a new fleet for the Council. - A change in wind direction led the crew into Hope. - The Vice-Admiral and frigates exchanged numerous cannon salutes, resulting in: - All windows in the cabin being broken. - Dislodging of an iron bar securing the cabin’s scuttle. - Dinner with My Lord marked the first dining experience since embarking on the sea. - The afternoon involved writing letters and orders, highlighting a busy workday. - Sir Harry Wright visited the ship related to his Parliamentary candidacy. - My Lord introduced Sir Harry to the narrator’s cabin during their writing session. - Evening supper included My Lord and the Captain, followed by late-night work. - The narrator went to bed late after a productive day. - Received two letters in the morning from those previously assisted, each containing a piece of gold. - The ship Nazeby was sighted and anchored nearby after dinner. - My Lord and several others boarded the Nazeby, which was found to be disorganized. - A new chimney was installed in My Lord’s bedchamber, which he appreciated. - My Lord expressed strong affection for the ship during conversations. - The voyage included sailing overnight to arrive near the Nore and South Forelands in the morning. - The ship sailed all day and faced a fresh gale in the afternoon, successfully managed. - The narrator first sighted France and Calais, marking a pleasant experience. - Around 5 PM, they reached Goodwin and the Castles near Deal, where the fleet anchored. - A loud cannon display from the castles and ships created thick smoke obscuring visibility on board. - Following anchoring, several ship captains visited the narrator. - The narrator wrote letters for My Lord to the Council, to be delivered by Mr. Dickering, who departed that night. - Additional letters were written to the narrator's wife and Mr. Bowyer, sharing a bottle of wine with Balty before his departure the next morning. - Lent Balty 15 shillings to pay his wife. - Mr. Sheply visited after narrowly escaping danger coming from Chatham. - Recollection of a day involving preparations for commissions for the Vice-Admiral and Rear-Admiral. - My Lord emphasized the importance of obeying orders from Parliament or the Generals. - The Vice-Admiral dined with the narrator and My Lord. - The narrator handed the Vice-Admiral’s commission to My Lord. - A pleasant afternoon spent on deck with clear visibility of Calais and cliffs resembling Kent. - In the evening, My Lord requested the Rear-Admiral’s commission from the narrator. - The narrator overheard discussions about the removals of Deking's and Newberry's commission. - My Lord expressed his belief that the King would prevail and shared views about serving the country by maintaining peace while at sea. - Late-night conversation with J. Goods and W. Howe before sleep, reflecting on the pleasure of his current life. # TIME CHUNK: 1661 - Colonel Slingsby and Major Waters traveled to Redriffe by water and then walked to Deptford. - Major Waters is portrayed as a deaf and melancholy gentleman, troubled by unrequited love, though he is good-natured. - They were involved in selecting four captains for the guards and choosing appropriate locations for their deployment. - The group had dinner at the Globe, with a messenger accompanying them for their needs. - The author noted a sense of authority and respect, with all captains of the fleet approaching them with deference. - After discussions, the author spent the night at Mr. Davis's home, a storekeeper with a sick wife. - The author felt honored and respected during his stay, resulting in uncertainty about his conduct. # TIME CHUNK: 1666 - The narrator spent the morning at the office and met with Commissioner Pett during a noon garden walk. - Pett, newly arrived in town, raised concerns about disorder and a lack of discipline among fleet commanders and officers. - Noted issues included: - Commanders swearing and engaging in personal conduct that undermined order. - Generals not enforcing discipline, harming the governing body’s reputation. - Pett had been challenged to duels by Sir Edward Spragge and Captain Seymour. - Captains disregarding recent orders were negatively affecting provisions and crew choices. - Both the narrator and Pett worried that such disorder could hinder divine favor and success. - Pett mentioned a lack of wise counsel in the fleet, with chaotic captain behavior linked to their connections with the King and the Duke. - After their walk, the narrator returned to the office for the afternoon. - In the evening, the narrator walked in the garden with his wife before heading home for supper. - Sir W. Pen traveled to Sheerness to prepare for the fleet’s return, frustrating Pett, who accused Pen of dishonesty and taking credit for unrelated efforts. - Pett threatened to resign due to feeling blamed for problems while his hard work went unrecognized. - The narrator noticed little business at the office, largely due to expectations regarding an upcoming naval engagement. - Sheppeard, from the Duke's yacht, reportedly approached the Dutch fleet. - The narrator had lunch and sang songs with Mercer, a regular practice. - Worked on gilding frames for Platts to enhance their appearance and prepared a representation of the victualling business status for the Duke late into the night (until midnight). - This was the first formal presentation of his work to the Duke. - The narrator reflected on successfully dispatching two fleets in better condition than before, which should help secure salary bills more readily. - An early morning trip with Sir W. Batten to White Hall followed, where Batten presented fleet survey findings. - Attended a crowded church service in Westminster with Stillingfleete preaching, followed by herrings at the Dog Tavern. - Returned for a second sermon by Mr. Frampton but left due to the crowd. - Visited the Swan tavern before heading home with family members. - Found the host at Islington deceased but spent time eating and drinking with family. - Post-dinner discussions in the office with Sir W. Batten and Captain Cocke revealed news on financial malpractices regarding public funds. - Key financial figures discussed included: - Royal Aid for the war: £2,450,000 - Three months' tax: £1,250,000 - Customs: £210,000 (total promise: £480,000) - Estimated prizes: £300,000 - Declared Navy debt: £900,000 - Total charges for the Navy over two years and a month: £5,590,000 with only £3,200,000 accounted for, questioning the missing funds. - Discussed concerns about the Duke of Albemarle potentially being sidelined from court. - The day concluded with supper, marking the narrator's wedding night and ten years of marriage as noted by his wife. # TIME CHUNK: 1667 - Started the day early at the office, dealing with various matters until it was time for the Board meeting. - Received multiple complaints regarding financial issues. - Lord Anglesey attended the Board meeting as the new Treasurer, showing notable competence and understanding. - Anglesey demonstrates a willingness to actively solicit funds, contrasting with Sir G. Carteret’s less proactive approach. - Emphasized the necessity of securing finances for the King and Kingdom, suggesting vigorous solicitation can lead to success even in unfavorable situations. - Acknowledged that Anglesey’s decision to take on the Treasurer role during tough times was bold, yet noted that a regular accountant should confidently handle such challenges. - Returned home for dinner and enjoyed playing the flageolet with his wife. - Continued working late at the office. - Spent the evening walking and singing in the garden with his wife, followed by supper and bed. - Received news of the Dutch fleet positioning itself before Dover, anticipating a potential operation. - Peace negotiations appear significantly stalled, raising doubts about the King's willingness to meet Dutch demands with Parliament sessions approaching. - Captain Clerke (Robin Clerke), now in command of the Monmouth, attended the meeting and spoke against an order to sink the ship, claiming he could have safely navigated it and offered protection. - Reported that he removed approximately 100 barrels of gunpowder from the Monmouth to save it after receiving the sinking order. - Criticized the decision to sink ships, advocating for burning them on shore instead of sinking them in the river to avoid further damage. # TIME CHUNK: 1668 - Discussed wife's learning to play the flageolet and her painting skills, which the narrator appreciates. - Lord Anglesey announced plans for a fleet to be set out, but expressed skepticism about its effectiveness, referring to it as "Spanish rhodomontado." - Shared a story involving the Duke of Albemarle and a conversation about sailors wishing for ship guns to be silver instead of gold, highlighting the absurdity of wishing for less impactful outcomes. - Noted preparations by the Dutch and French that suggest 50 sail will be inadequate for successful defense. - Enjoyed dinner with clerks, particularly enjoying conversations with Mr. Gibson about war and naval commanders. - Mr. Gibson's insights deemed valuable for potentially writing a history of the Navy in the future. - Spent the evening at the office working until midnight analyzing a list of ships and their dimensions. - Encountered significant discrepancies between various ship lists and expressed uncertainty about which list to trust. - Highlighted the overall lack of care in maintaining a historical record of the Navy.