I now thought of trying to get water more palateable; and often perused the pamphlet above-mentioned, especially the quotation from Sir R. Hawkins’s voyage, who “with four billets distilled a hogshead of water wholsome and nourishing.” I concluded he had delivered this account under a veil, lest his method should be discovered: for it is plain, that by four billets he could not mean the fuel, as they would scarce _warm_ a hogshead of water. When, ruminating on this, it came into my head, that he burnt his four billets to ashes, and with the mixture of those ashes with sea-water he distilled a hogshead of fresh water wholsome and nourishing. Pleased with this discovery, I cut a billet small, and burnt it to ashes; and after cleaning my pot, I put into it a spoonful of those ashes, with the usual quantity of sea-water. The result answered my expectations: the water came off bright and transparent, with an agreeable pungent taste, which at first I thought was occasioned by the ashes, but afterwards was convinced it received it from the resin or turpentine in the pot, or pipes annexed to it. I was now relieved from my fears of being distressed thro’ want of water; yet thought it necessary to advise my people not to be too free in the use of this, whilst we had any of our old stock remaining; and told them, I would make the experiment first myself; which I did, by drinking a few glasses every day without any ill effect whatever. This water was equally light with the other, and lathered very well with soap. We had expended our old stock of water before we reached England; but had reserved a good quantity of that which we distilled. After my arrival at Shields, I invited several of my acquaintance on board to taste the water: they drank several glasses, and thought it nothing inferior to spring-water. I made them a bowl of punch of it, which was highly commended. I have not the convenience of a still here, or should have repeated the experiment for the conviction of some of my friends: for as to myself, I am firmly persuaded, that wood-ashes mixed with sea-water will yield, when distilled, as good fresh water as can be wished for. And I think, if every ship bound a long voyage was to take a small still with Dr. Hales’s improvements, they need never want fresh water. Wood-ashes may easily be made, whilst there is any wood in the ship; and the extraordinary expence of fuel will be trifling, if they contrive so that the still may stand on the fire along with the ship’s boiler. I shall think myself sufficiently recompensed, if any hints here may tend to the relief of my brother sailors from the dismal extremity of want of water; an extremity too little regarded by those, who have never experienced it.