I soon found that one of the warrant officers was devoid of intelligence. Having selected a smart man, applied for an exchange, but was informed that he was under a cloud: strongly suspected of having set fire to the dockyard, that he might get credit for his exertions in extinguishing it. Preferring a rogue to a fool, I succeeded in getting him appointed. The first thing he did was to bore a hole in _Dido’s_ bottom and run the water off. Subsequently, in China, the Commander-in-Chief, Sir Thomas Cochrane, promoted him to the flag ship. No carpenter in the fleet could trace a better white line on a ship’s side. Eleven ships fitting at Chatham made it difficult to volunteer a crew; but with a zealous and good set of officers we managed to get on. We had the grand old _Vengeur_ for our hulk, but were turned over later (to make room for a larger ship) to the _Shannon_, of _Chesapeake_ fame. [Sidenote: Sept. 18.] Our marines joined: we fast assumed a respectable appearance, and my old shipmate and friend, Bulman, later purser of _Childers_, assumed importance. [Sidenote: Oct. 8.] We were mustered by Captain Sir Thomas Trowbridge, a Lord of the Admiralty. [Sidenote: Oct. 26.] Sent Mr. Boyle, mate, to Lynn to raise men. [Sidenote: Oct. 27.] Went on a visit to the Romneys at the Mote, Maidstone. [Sidenote: Nov. 10.] Heard of birth of the Prince of Wales. I little knew then, what a kind good friend I was subsequently to find in H.R.H. Arthur Noad joined; we had been shipmates ever since I left the Naval College. There was a fine old pilot at Sheerness named Taylor, with whom wife and I lodged. Taylor told me he had piloted 1400 men-of-war, of which 215 were ships of the line. Admiral shifted his flag from white at the fore to blue at the main, which was saluted. [Sidenote: Nov. 25.] We were doing our best to have ship ready by December 1. Men had joined. We were getting on rapidly in the basin. Anchors and chain cables were close at hand. Symonds’ formation of the hull of the _Dido_ was perfect, and with so great a beam that she required no ballast. Sir John Hill, expecting the Board of Admiralty down, ordered me to cross topgallant yards, which were stopped up and down the lower rigging. I suggested that with an empty, whitewashed hold, chain cables, anchors, and water-tanks on shore alongside, it would be unseamanlike to cross topgallant yards; at which Superintendent got angry, and asked how I dared to disobey his orders. I replied hastily that I did not care a straw about his orders while the flag was flying. He went straight to the Admiral’s office. I was sent for. Inquiry took place. Decision: That the Captain Superintendent was wrong, and that I was disrespectful. We became great friends before parting. [Sidenote: Nov. 23.]