AN ANECDOTE CONCERNING THOMAS MILLER
Recollections by Comd James Anthony Gardner while serving aboard the Hector.
One of our Midshipmen (Miller) as worthy a fellow as ever lived told me the following anecdote of himself and Macbride:-
On his joining the Hector, a Guardship in Portsmouth Harbour, Morgan the first lieutenant, came up to him and said "Miller my boy, how glad I am to see you - You must dine with me today". Miller who had never seen him before, thought it rather queer that he should be so friendly at first sight, however he accepted the invitation. When dinner was over Morgan declared he was under great obligation to him and should at all times be happy to acknowledge it. Poor Miller said he was at a loss to understand him. "Well then" says Morgan. "I'll tell you. It is this. I was considered to be the ugliest son of a b---- in the fleet before you came, but you beat me dead hollow, and you surely cannot wonder at my being sensible of the obligation". Miller laughed heartily and they were ever after on the best of terms. It happened in about three months after this Macbride also joined Hector. The moment he came on board down came the Quartermaster to Miller saying that Lieut Morgan wanted to see him immediately. soon as Miller came on the quarterdeck Morgan went up to him and wished him joy and pointing to Macbride observed "You are a happy dog at being relieved so soon. I was considered the ugliest son of a b--- in this fleet for more than a year, you then came on board and relieved me, but there stands one that beggars all description and if they were to rake hell, they could not find his fellow". Then going and shaking Macbride by the hand, asked him and Miller to dine with him that day, to celebrate the happy relief.
GUNNER'S CERTIFICATE OF THOMAS MILLER
This Is To Certify The Right Honble Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland, that in pursuance of directions from Charles Saxton, commissioner of the Navy at Portsmouth, we have examined Mr Thomas Miller, in articles ordered by their Lordships for the examination of persons previous to their being appointed to serve as gunners in the Royal navy; and humbly report as follows:
He is skilled in vulgar and decimal arithmetic, extraction of the square and cube roots, and in practical problems of geometry and plane trigonometry.
He is capable of finding when is it truly bored and not honey combed.
He knows how to dispart a cannon, so as to direct it justly at the place aimed at.
He knows how to te(o)rtiate, or find the thickness of the metal of a cannon, at the touch hole, trunnions and muzzle.
He knows how to adjust a shot to a cannon and a due proportion of powder.
He is capable of taking and judging of heights and distances especially at sea.
He is able to find the weight of a cannon, and knows the names and denominations thereof; and the names of the particular part of them, the dimensions of their bore, shot for them and the weight of the shot.
He knows the length and fortification of a camera of each sort and size; and how many persons will be necessary to attend each piece, in time of service.
He knows when the trunnions of a gun are placed justly in the carriage, whether the carriage is fit, and of due length for the gun; and whether the trues are equally high and revert, or return equally quick.
He knows how to charge and discharge a piece of ordnance readily and artist like, and how to spunge the same and to muzzle and secure it in bad weather.
He has produced to us certificates from several commanders he has sailed under of his care sobriety and obedience to command. He has also produced a certificate from the Navy Office of his having served in the Royal Navy more than eleven years.
We therefore humbly certify our opinion that he is a person fitly qualified to be appointed a gunner of any of His Majesty's Ships of war of the third rate.
Given under our hands this 20 day of October 1792.
Jno Skerinay (?) Barfleur,Late gunner of
Benjn Hunter Dreadnought,Gunner of
Dan Martin Queen Charlotte ditto
Chas Saxton mathematician.