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H.M.S "Erebus" off the N[orth] Foreland
September 30th, 1839
I was forced to direct Mr Harvey's letter to "Limerick" only
My dear Father
After having been detained for five days off Margate we have at last set sail
for the Down's, where we shall probably wait no longer than to land our
Thames pilot.
My last letter, I dated from the Down's, I sent forward by Mr Sibbald who was
dispatched for a new anchor, supposing that I should follow him the same
night in the ship. We have never landed since leaving Gillingham, being in
hourly expectation of a change of wind. There have been crowds of Margate
visitors on board pestering us for they are without hardly an exception vulgar
& uneducated.
Goodbye to you all.
Your most affectionate Son Jos D Hooker [signature]
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